Before we dive into the ins and outs of local coffee shops in the Cedar Valley, maybe you’re asking yourself why you should even consider buying a cup of coffee for $7 as you read through what I have to say. Before learning about the unique personal cafes, let’s examine the importance of having local coffee shops and drift away from chains like Starbucks or Dunkin.
A $7 CUP OF COFFEE BRINGS YOU COMMUNITY:
Supporting locally owned businesses and coffee shops can help to build the community around you. By contributing to local shops, it helps the community grow stronger. Coffee shops can build relationships, bring the community together by hosting local events, hire workers who need job, be a hub for people to gather, and economically give back to the community.
$7 COFFEE BRINGS YOU CONNECTIONS:
One of the big differences in local versus chain coffee shops is the opportunity to make meaningful and intentional connections to the shop and workers. Being a barista, I know this to be true first hand. I remember as a sophomore in college I had been going to Sidecar on the hill for about a year consistently and would study in between classes because it was right on campus. My sophomore year I went to order a latte one day, and the barista knew my name and order and I immediately felt connected to the shop. It felt special to be known by the barista who made my coffee everyday.
Coffee shops also foster friendships. They are places for people to meet up and chat to deepen relationships. Often, coffee shops are filled with chatter from conversations among friends, co-workers, and study groups. There is an exciting energy to coffee shops that help relationships with one another comfortably flourish.
$7 COFFEE BRINGS YOU CREATIVITY:
When a person steps into a coffee shop, they are stepping into the mind of an innovative imaginative entrepreneur. The shop itself is a piece of art, unique to the mind of the owner. This creativity bleeds into the layout of the shop, recipe/drink options, marketing strategies, merch, etc. Each shop has different distinct features and charm that set it apart from the shop down the road.
Local coffee shops can also spur on creativity among their customers. Having a space that can provide creative fuel, (aka coffee) helps for productive time spent studying, designing, or working for the customer.
Buying a cup of coffee for $7 is cheap once you consider all the perks it can bring into your life.
Francis