Campaign Coffee

Matt Vizer, Boston Globe
See his photo essay from campaign 2012

Reporting from political campaigns always involves coffee shops, because coffee houses have been gathering places to talk about public affairs for five hundred years. People also talk about politics in bars, of course, but the conversations in coffee shops can be easier to follow. Rarely does campaign reporting focus on the coffee itself. An exception was Melissa Block's odd comments about the preference of Virginia Representative Tom Periello for good coffee.

It turns out the Boston Globe political reporter Matt Vizer is a lover of good coffee shops who used his campaign travels to good advantage. Wherever the campaigns took him -- in the United States or abroad -- he would duck out to explore the local, independent cafes. Now that the campaign is over, he has written a brief retrospective on his cafe visits, complete with a nice photo essay. I even learned of a new shop in Boston from his reporting!

Coffee Districts

Alterra ("Highland") Coffee is a roaster and small chain of cafes in several Wisconsin cities. I have not yet found them on my Wisconsin travels, but will be looking out the next time I am in the Badger State (which I hope will be soon, since I love Wisconsin, especially Appleton).

I mention these cafes I have never visited because of an important bit of coffee geography that I found in a recent interview with George Bregar, Alterra's Director of Coffee (shown above). In response to a question about competition from the Wisconsin Foodie blog, Bregar explains why it is sometimes good to have competitors near each other. Rather than taking business away from each other, a cluster of specialty cafes can create a culture of interest in quality coffee that actually helps all of them.

In terms of economic geography, what Bregar describes is one aspect of external agglomeration economies of scale. Conventional microeconomics recognizes the economies of scale that can be realized internally in an enterprise. A large company can save money through bulk buying and through distributing fixed overhead costs over a large number of units.

But a number of small companies clustered together can also achieve economies of scale, simply by being near each other. Despite the inherent risks of cost competition, the combined cultural and educational impact mentioned by Bregar is one important aspect of this for coffee. Other possibly benefits might include shared purchases of container-loads of coffee or the ability to support other kinds of service providers, such as those who maintain espresso equipment.

The interview also mentions Alterra's new business arrangement with Kraft Food. I do not know the details of this, beyond what is in the interview, but on that basis I can make two observations. One is that if it takes a small business more than one sentence to explain how it has not "sold out," then it has sold out. The other is that the company is accepting money in exchange for putting its name on single-serve coffee products. As with the arrangement between Green Mountain Coffee and Keurig (the former actually purchased the latter), no amount of positive news about coffee sourcing can obviate the damage done by a wasteful, unsustainable brewing method that also kills flavor.

Bad. Ass. Coffee.

A Coffee Maven Review

Screeeech!


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That could have been the sound of our tires as I whipped the car into the turn lane when I heard Pam utter the three magic words of this post's title. But I was traveling at moderate speed in the appropriate lane, so the approach was made with considerably less drama.

Then we waited through a long light cycle in anticipation of what Bad Ass Coffee could possibly hold in store. With a name like that, we know there had to be a story, and we were not disappointed.

Although it was in a strip mall, along a busy highway and between fast food and electronics, the atmosphere of this shop began outdoors on a broad patio where two students relaxed with their iced coffee as if they were poolside.

As soon as we entered, we were greeted by a cheerful barista who walked around to help us explore some of the merchandise near the door. She had one of those drive-up headsets that drive me crazy sometimes, but she was not using it while she was addressing us. In fact, she exhibited terrific communication skills that we find lacking in so many cafes, and her passion for the coffee and the business were clear.

She had a ready answer to my first question -- That is, she said "Our donkey!" when I asked what made the coffee so bad-ass. Just as she said it, I started to notice a distinctly Hawaiian orientation to the place, which in fact sells directly-traded coffee from Hawaii. Some of the coffee is 100 percent Hawaiian -- either Kona or the other islands, which produce equally fabulous coffee. Some of it is only 10-percent blend, but it is very clearly labeled as such. My only complaint is that the blends are not identified, but since several 100-percent coffees are offered, it is easy to avoid these.

I was delighted to find that the packaged coffees included a yellow caturra from Maui, which I snapped right up. Caturra is a sweet, chocolaty coffee that is a favorite varietal among my friends who grow coffee in Nicaragua, and the yellow sub-varietal is especially interesting, as it ripens from green to yellow instead of green to red. Special skill is required to harvest this coffee at the right time. Our guide informed us that none of the 100-percent Kona was on the shelves because the broca beetle had damaged so much of the crop.

At this point, I was still under the impression that this was a single, independent shop. I really thought it was connected to a particular farm with some kind of donkey, so I asked, goofily, "Where is your donkey?" She smiled and pointed to a small statue on the side of the cafe. Given her level of knowledge -- and correct pronunciation of Hawaiian place names, I still thought it was independent when I spoke to the franchise owner, who informed me that there were actually about 70 of these shops worldwide, with roasting for this shop being done at one of the shops in Florida.

It is perhaps counterintuitive that the scale of this enterprise is part of what gives it a key characteristic -- in my opinion -- of the most successful independent cafes. When I asked our wonderful barista whether she was from Hawaii, I had assumed she had something directly to do with the farm. No, she explained, when she was hired she got training, at a place she called coffee university. I hope to get an invitation some day, for though I am a coffee maven, I learn something new every time I meet someone in the industry. Today was no exception!

Suckers for coffee SWAG, we left with a few clever gifts, that Maui coffee, some cocoa, and a tall cup of Waialua, from the north shore of Oahu. I just finished it as I wrote this rather caffeinated post from my friend's porch above the nearby Hudson River.

Early in the post, I mentioned my relief at the barista's ability to wear the drive-through headphone without letting it distract her from the in-person customers. Pam just reminded me of the drive-through, and of what people would be missing by using it. If you see a Bad Ass Coffee shop, screech to a stop, go inside, and enjoy the experience. You'll probably learn something, too!

Corner cafe

In the small town of Stoughton, Massachusetts, there is a coffee shop called "Corner Cafe" located on Canton street. This shop was opened in 2012 and took over a previous coffee shop called the "Stoughton coffee Shop". Inside, the mood was quiet with a few local customers talking to each other. The people seemed to be regulars because the manager used first names to get the attention of the customers. There were only a few people inside, but the manager said business was good.

 As for the coffee, I tried it but did not like it. I'm also not a coffee drinker so I'm no the one to judge. The customers inside seemed to enjoy the coffee. I did try one pastry and it was delicious. I feel this place is more a breakfast stop before work. Its open every day of the week but only until about 1 pm. The main special for the day was pankcakes and eggs with a cup of coffee. Overall I would go back to Corner Cafe for breakfast but other than that, I would not suggest it for any coffee lovers.

Andrews Bakery, Easton, Ma.

In a town plagued with Dunkin’ Donuts, Andrews Bakery is a cure for all your coffee cravings. Located in a perfect location just across from the main entrance to Stonehill College, Andrews is easy to access and provides quality coffee to an area that was in dire need. Originally a bakery specializing in homemade breads and pastries, for the past five years, Andrews has moved into the coffee scene in a big way by roasting their own coffee. As you approach the door to the Café, you may be treated to seeing the owner roasting the coffee through the window. Taking pride in their coffee, the house coffee is from La Minita Hacienda in Costa Rica, taking the green beans and roasting them to a dark roast. Unlike many specialty coffee stores, Andrews does not charge a premium for the high quality. At a unheard of low price of $1.93, you can get a large (20oz) coffee of unmatched quality. Depending on the time of day (and season), you can see a mix of Stonehill students, families, and people coming in to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and their choice of breakfast or lunch. The café caters to both those who wish to sit down with their spacious and comfortable seating area, and those on the run with a drive-thru window.

                When I arrived at the café, I was greeted first by the smell of freshly roasted coffee and baked breads, and then by a friendly staff who enjoyed their jobs unlike those at the big chain coffee places. Given that it was a very hot day out, I opted for one of their iced house coffees. The low price was one of the first things that made them stand above the rest, as I was used to paying almost double for lesser coffees. I was pleasantly surprised by the distinct flavor, with its subtle hints of flavor. As I sat to enjoy my coffee, I noticed that the café also stocked a selection of coffee makers, featuring Bodum products. Overall it was a pleasant experience and a welcome change to the daily grind that is the larger chains.

Final Verdict: Great coffee roasted on site, welcoming environment, and the pleasant and fast service combined with the fantastic price make Andrews Bakery a great local coffee house.
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Porter Cafe

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If your looking for a good cup of Joe, this is not the spot. Great service and a beautiful atmosphere, but quality of coffee is not there. The Porter Cafe has magnificent baked goods. Homemade and always delicious. I have to say, their bakery goes well with a morning cup of coffee. You will find this small cafe, right on RT 18 in Whitman, a perfect spot to start your day, or end your day with a couple of friends, sharing stories, and a hot or ice cup of coffee. They do not have the organic Peruvian or Kenya coffee, but what they do have is a cozy atmosphere, good company, and with their amazing bake goods, you could over look the quality of coffee and unwind.

The Porter Cafe also has a catering service, and a full menu inside. From chicken wings to eggs and everything in between, the Porter has it. What people go there for is not their meal choices, but rather there incredible, and very tasting pastries. I encourage anyone who might find themselves on RT 18 in Whitman, to stop in and enjoy the warm atmosphere, great service and friends that are waiting to meet you, and enjoy some of their homemade pastries with a cup of coffee.  

The Better Bean Coffee Company Bridgewater MA

When walking through the heart of downtown Bridgewater, there is a small, hard to spot coffee shop, The Better Bean Coffee Company. The shop started off many years ago, known as the "Daily Grind", prior to 2005. In 2005 the shop was purchased by a new owner, and revamped into The Better Bean Coffee Company.
Upon walking into the shop with my friend, we soon realized we were the only two people in the entire shop. The entrance is decorated with a display window full of traditional coffee bags, labelled from Costa Rica. As we were the only two customers in the entire shop, the demographics of all guests were 20 year old, white males from Bridgewater. The concept of the shop however, seemed to be mainly designed for carry out orders, judging by the very small amount of tables located inside. However, the shop window does advertise free wi-fi (Though I did not have a computer to see if it was actually working).
There was signage for coffee from Costa Rica, but it was displayed through bags on the wall, not actual advertisements. There was also an extensive list of assorted coffee beverages to choose from.

Diesel Cafe, Somerville,MA

Wandering along the streets of Somerville with my friend, we stumbled upon this small garage looking building called Diesel Café.  Established in 1999, it offers a wide variety of coffee as well as sandwich and pastry selections. The Building had lots of seating both towards the front of the shop as well as towards the back. They have a garage that they usually open during nice weather. It has some features that make it slightly stand out from other coffee shops in the area, including a few pool tables and an old black and white photography booth. The wall décor is also unusual, with caged tunnel lights on the walls and the menu on chalk boards. Serving coffee from Intelligentsia Coffee and Stumptown Coffee, if you get it to have there they do serve some coffee in coffee mugs but also in tall beer glasses. They also sell coffee bags, some from counter culture coffee and all the coffee this shop uses is direct trade.some countries include but arent limited to Panama, Honduras,and Brazil. The environment including staff is very welcoming. most of the cliental was  students working on laptops and business people from age thirty to ninety. The cliental as well as the staff seemed very ethnically diverse. The only downside to this café is you have to pay for Wi-Fi.  I would absolutely recommend this place over the Starbucks (across the street) or the Dunkin Donuts (a block away).  Diesel Café is located at 257 Elm St Somerville, MA and their phone number is 617-629-8717.

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Blue Blinds Bakery, Plymouth MA

I stopped into the Blue Blinds Cafe late one evening while in Plymouth for a shot of espresso.  I had been to this joint before, but never as an under cover coffee critic.  It's location is in downtown Plymouth in view of the waterfront.  This Twelve Tribes own and operated business has a lavish atmosphere in a rustic old Plimoth Puritan way.  They also have a large selection of pastries, baked goods and specialty soft drinks on display.  I had a one track mind to get a caffeine boost, like never before, and ordered an espresso shot while my date got a small black coffee.  Too late for desert, we avoided the delectable deserts.  

 Blue Blinds uses Speedwell Coffee, a brand that takes tremendous care in its roasting techniques.  I enjoyed my espresso but am not an experienced espresso drinker, so I just thought it had an extremely strong and thick coffee taste.

     I recommend the Blue Blinds Bakery to anyone visiting downtown Plymouth.  It is in close proximity to Plymouth's nightlife and restaurants, as well as popular and historical tourist and ceremonial destinations.
                                                                                                                 Nicholas Maribett
 

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The Java Room Chemlsford,MA

The Java Room is a cross between sophistication and relaxation, though the title may make you think they are all about coffee, the java room offers more of an experience. Located in the cute little town known Chelmsford, MA. The location is great in the downtown in a plaza next to a Bertucci's, a bar, a bike path and many other stores. The Java Room has been in business for 8 years starting back in the fall of 2003 the owner Candy and her husband started it because of their love for coffee and couldn't find much coffee houses like the Java Room in a suburban area and hence the The Java Room was born. Their coffee is indeed fair trade and the best sellers off the menu are their lattes and cappuccinos. For food I hear the cranberry chicken salad and sandwiches are amazing and their quiches and muffins are among the favorites.

What separates The Java Room from other coffee shops the ambiance and people. They have a great staff who really care about the company and their products. The Java room is the perfect place to get together and enjoy live music...Oh yes there's live music on weekend nights!

For more information on the Java room visit their website: http://www.thejavaroom.com/

Daily Harvest, Danvers

Coffee Maven Review

On the way in, I noticed this antique coffee grinder, similar to some
I have seen in the coffee museum in Matagalpa.
Photo: Dr. Vernon Domingo

I was lucky enough to have my birthday lunch with friends -- and fellow geographers -- at the Daily Harvest in Danvers, north of Boston. We were bringing our EarthView program to nearby Middleton, and since the day was ending early, we decided to have lunch afterwards (often our Friday lunches are school cafeteria fare, which is usually decent but sometimes odd).

Checking late the night before, I found a pub nearby whose online reviews were so negative that they seemed like a series of parodies -- exaggerated complaints about food and service, mixed with a few die-hard loyal customers. I found these so amusing that I posted them on Facebook, and immediately received advice from a former student not to eat in Middleton at all, but rather to enjoy fresh, local food at the Daily Harvest Cafe in Danvers.

This turned out to be a fantastic recommendation! The five of us selected five very different sandwiches from the eclectic menu, and we were all impressed by the quality of the ingredients and the care taken in their preparation. One member of our party exclaimed that hers was the best sandwich she had ever had. Of course, I had mine with a large, fair-trade iced coffee. It was as delicious as the meal itself.

Even better than the food is the service. Unlike many cafes I have visited, the management of the Daily Harvest clearly values its employees, who in turn value the customers. Since it was a busy lunch time, five or six people were busy taking orders, preparing the food, and bringing food to the tables. They were knowledgeable about the products and gracious. When they saw that my friends had brought a birthday cake (not knowing that we were headed to such a nice bakery), the staff started clearing our plates and brought out small plates for our cake, and invited me back for a birthday treat on the house. Since we frequently bring EarthView to this region, I'm planning to take them up on it.

This independent cafe, incidentally, thrives next door to a Dunkin' Donuts and within a half mile of no fewer than ten of the hellish franchises. The location of this cafe is quite convenient, though coming from the north we had our doubts. Where Maple Street becomes High Street, the signage and numbering are distinctly New England, meaning that it is difficult to align what the GPS is telling us with what we are seeing on the ground. Putting more faith in the voice from the dash than in our observations of street signs, however, we made it in tact. Leaving was a bit more of an adventure, as the cloverleaf leading to I-95/128/Route 1 is under construction, so that we had to thread our way among construction vehicles and pop out onto the interstate at full speed through a gap in one of those sound-proofing walls!


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We are done with EarthView visits to the North Shore for this year, but I think we will find our way back to the Daily Harvest Cafe in the autumn, if not before.

-- James Hayes-Bohanan

Green Bean, New Bedford, MA

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Located at 740 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, The Green Bean is a convenient coffee shop to many college students. The Green Bean has a great atmosphere along with comfortable seating. The employees were friendly and open to answer the questions I threw their way. They also offer free wifi to their guests so they have the option to do their homework or to just relax and converse. They have a great selection of coffees, breakfast sandwiches and smoothies. Their top selling coffee is the House Coffee. Their prices are fairly reasonable, ranging from $0-10. They also offer a fresh smoothie bar. Some of their coffee is Fair Trade while some is not. With a Dunkin Donuts located two blocks away, The Green Bean does not feel the pressure.

Cafe Olio in Plymouth, Ma

Located in the beautiful community The Pinehills, Cafe Olio is the go-to destination for coffee, specialty drinks, breakfast, lunch, and pastries in South Plymouth. After opening in 2005, Cafe Olio's Italian inspired ambience was quickly noticed and allowed the business to expand in 2007. Cafe Olio is open Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday's. Breakfast, lunch, and hor d'oeuvres catering is also available.



Since its opening in 2005, Cafe Olio has proudly brewed Jim's Organic Coffee and The Republic of Tea. Coffee and tea prices range from $1.49 to $2.49 for single-cup brews. A variety of specialty drinks, such as epressos, lattes, flavored lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, chais, and hot chocolates, are also offered. Speciality drink prices range from $2.99 to $4.49. Due to the affluent area in which the cafe is located, the prices don't seem to effect business in any way.



The breakfast and lunch menus are both delcious and affordable. Popular breakfast items include butter croissants, cinnamon buns, whole wheat bagels, and scones. On the other hand, an extensive list of soups, simple salads, deli sandwiches, grilled paninis, gourmet sandwiches, and prepared salads are available for lunch.



Without a doubt, Cafe Olio is a popular spot for all ages. As a frequent customer, I've seen a plethora of different groups of people within the walls of the shop. I've seen everything from business people having meetings and using the free Wi-Fi to groups of older women just enjoying one another's company. Jenny--the barista to whom which I spoke with--said that she believes that business is half dine-in and half carry-out. Cafe Olio has eleven rustic-inspired tables, so seating rarely seems to be an issue.

Cafe Olio is located at 3 Village Green North, Suite 312, Plymouth, MA 02360. The Pinehills is located off of exit three off of Route 3.

Brewd Awakening Coffeehaus

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Brewd Awakening Coffeehaus located on Market Street in Lowell MA is a great place to visit at any time of day. Throughout the day they offer a number of pastries, pressed sandwiches, and different coffees, teas, and smoothies. The coffee is all fair trade and they also sell Equal Exchange coffee by the pound. The atmosphere is unbeatable. There are tables and chairs set up cafe style, and then there is also some couches and comfy chairs to sit in. There's a variety of different types of music playing and it's the perfect place to hang out with friends or take advantage of the free wi-fi and sit and do homework! You can also bring your dog in with you! Brewd Awakening is even better on nights when they offer live entertainment. From poetry slams to local musicians- they have it all! I would recommend this to anyone visiting Lowell at any time of day!

For more information visit http://www.brewdawakening.com/

Molly Brooks

Ula Cafe - Jamaica Plain, MA

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Ula Cafe is a small cafe that is located in Jamaica Plain, Boston. luckily for them they are located right next to the Sam Adams Brewery. So, people who are waiting or finished from a tour can go to the cafe and have a cup of coffee with something light to eat. Also, because of this the place is always busy with customers. 

They have Fair Trade coffee with many different kinds of coffee such as coffee, espresso, Americano, Cafe Latte, Cappucino, Macchiato, Mocha Latte, Mochaccino, Spicy Mocha, Mate Mocha, Cafe au Lait, and Cafe Cubano. Their coffee is served in a ceramic cup. I had a black coffee to see how good it would be and I would have to say it was not bad. it was slightly strong for me but it was fresh tasting. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was on the left they had pictures of coffee fruit off a tree.I liked seeing that it made me think of class and the photos we have seen. 

Their clientele is people that are older than twenty and are casually dressed. There were some business dress customers but mostly casual apparel. There was a mix between men and females. There were groups of people between two to three and individuals sitting down. It was mostly a sit down place not a take out from what I saw. It seemed like there were no regulars because the people just were either alone or talking with their one or two friends brought along. The people who where by themselves were either reading or on their laptop. Several people were on a laptop I noticed. 

This would be a great place to have in every town's center. A place where people can go have a great tasting cup of coffee with something light to eat and relax reading a book, surfing the web,  writing a paper, or just to go kill time talking with a friend. I would definitely recommend stopping by this place if your in the neighborhood.





 

Select Cafe

Select cafe is located on 2 Belgrade Ave in Roslindale, MA. This coffee shop is located right across the street from the Village MBTA commuter rail so it gets a lot of early morning business from people taking the train to work. Many of the regulars at this coffee shop are of foreign decent the owner is also foreign. The shop has been opened for 3 years now and before it was Select Cafe there was another shop there named Emac and Bolios. Select Cafe uses Illy and Lavazza coffee and had other drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. The cafe offered minimal flavors  they had colombian, dark french roast, french vanilla, cinnamon, and hazelnut. The prices were reasonable similar to a Dunkin Donuts. The food selection varied from ice creams and frozen yogurts to breakfast and bistro style sandwiches. On display  were canaries and also many paintings from local artists that the owner had bought. The hours are form 7 am to 7 pm and they offer free wifi.


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Andrew's Coffee Shop in NYC (If you can call it that)

Andrew's Coffee Shop in NYC (If you can call it that)

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&q=andrew's+coffee+shop+manhattan+hours&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1268&bih=602&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=sBWbT53IL4bX0QG45qWIDw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=3&ved=0CCAQ_AUoAg

Andrew's Coffee Shop Is located in the heart of Manhattan borough of New York City at 463 Fashion Ave. I was in New York at the time traveling for a Boston Bruins game so I decided to look for a coffee shop that I could knock out this assignment with. While walking around the city this place jumped out at me mainly because it said "coffee shop" I was sold and so I walked in top see what I could uncover. I knew it would be busy since it was New York but this was a Monday Morning type busy and I was there around noon time on a Sunday. I looked at the line and figured this had to be a good place but I noticed the service was not that good It was very slow and judging body language people seemed to be getting impatient. As I got closer in line I could tell the employees didnt speak much english so I knew that any chance to ask them about the coffee type, if it was fair trade or any type of question was a pipe dream at this point. When it was my turn I ordered a small cappuchino. The coffee itself was ok nothing too special I was just glad that it was at least hot. The prices were also serviceable for New York I think my coffee was only a couple dollars at most. Even though it says its a coffee shop it looked more like a small restaurant to me with families and such. If you decide to brave it out the hours are Mon-Fri 6am to 10pm Sat. 7am to 10 pm and  Sun 7 am to 8pm.

-Brett Trainor

The Hatters beat the Bears! The Stetson University Coffee Shop

I was fortunate enough to be selected to travel to DeLand, Florida on behalf of BSU to participate in Stetson University's Model Senate program. During the 5 days that I was there, I frequented the Coffee Shop they had on campus.

The coffee shop surprised me since it was run by Sodexo (much like our coffee corner in the basement of the library at BSU) and also brewed Starbuck's coffee but despite the similarities, the coffee shop at Stetson just seemed much better. During my visits, I quickly realized why that was.

The Stetson Coffee Shop is the most crowded spot on campus and is located in the main building. It was opened recently, 2 years ago, on the request of the students. It replaced a much LESS popular "Stetson Station" which served less than tasteful coffee which was disliked equally by all.

The Stetson Coffee shop owes most of its popularity to the fact that they are open 7 days a week, rain or shine! Even though the menu contains the basic Starbucks commodities, they also serve Panini's, desserts, salads and even mini customizable pizzas, quiches and chicken wings.

The part that attracted me most about their coffee shop that made theirs distinct from ours was the ambiance. They played all types of music ranging from modern hits to classical compositions from the Baroque period and also played some Mozart pieces. They have tried to create an antique feel in their shop with old lamps and furnishings but they have enough lighting so that people can cozy up on a big chair and read a book.

The main competition they face is surprisingly not from Dunkin Donuts even though there are two within a mile radius of the campus. I think that might be because Southern states don't have a particular liking towards Dunkin Donuts as much as we do up north. Their main source of competition is the Hat Rack on campus. The Hat Rack serves gourmet coffee along with smoothies and sandwiches and soup. But, their main focus is on their Einstein Bagels and not the coffee thus limiting their role as competition.

My visit included a Starbucks Vanilla Frappucino. I consecutively visited for 3 days. The place mostly housed students and faculty members dropped in and grabbed their coffees and ran to class. The Barista's knew everyone on a first name basis along with their usual orders. They quickly spotted me as an outsider and asked me if I had recently joined the Stetson family.

Maybe, this might be motivation enough for BSU students and faculty members to round everybody up and petition for a new coffee shop. If Stetson University can do it, so can Bridgewater State University!

By,

Zohaa Basra

Address:

Stetson University

421 N. Woodland Blvd.

DeLand, FL  32723

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