Caffeination Cascadia is a weekly column by Brett Konen featuring the coffees, cafés, products and people that make Northwest coffee what it is today. Grab a mug, pour a cup and start your Monday off with a review of what’s new in – quite possibly – the greatest coffee region in the world.
There’s so many places doing coffee right in our region, it can be hard to stand out in the crowd. And some places may not need to: brew it right, and people will come. On the other hand, a growing number of cafés are proving themselves capable of multitasking. Here’s a rundown of five coffee houses that are more than just coffee houses.
The bike shop. Bicycle need a tune-up? Or do you have your eye on a new ride? You can find these plus biking accessories and an excellent cup of coffee in the big airy Dutch Bike Company space on Ballard Avenue in Seattle. The shop’s soaring front windows, open on sunny days, afford a view of the street and its leisurely passersby, so waiting for the consultants to fix your flat becomes a pleasure, not a pain. Dutch Bike Co., 4741 Ballard Avenue Northwest, Seattle, WA.
The men’s clothing store. Owned by pro snowboarder T. J. Schneider, the less than one-year-old Vancouver venture has been enjoying success in its distinctive melding of men’s motorcycle threads and specialty coffee. Nearly thirty eclectic brand names are lined up across from the espresso machine in the hip exposed-brick room. The Shop, 432 Columbia Street, Vancouver, B.C.
The art gallery. Many cafés boast rotating local art shows, but few show commitment to all manner of arts like Flying M of Boise. Their art wall, which changes every first Thursday, is curated by local artist volunteers Jerms Laningham and John Warfel, and has featured individual and collaborative shows of every genre. The café’s second location in Nampa, Idaho has a comparable commitment to local music. Flying M also puts on a fashion show and two annual craft markets. Flying M, 500 West Idaho Street, Boise, ID and 1314 Second Street South, Nampa, ID.
The tech center. Computers and coffee go together like dot and com. Here at ReBOOT Central you can have it all: the Spokane-based computer center lets you sip your latte while you wait for competitively-priced diagnostics, upgrades and repairs. ReBOOT Central, 501 South Thor Street, Spokane, WA.
The haunted house. One of Portland locals’ favorite places to bring their out-of-town friends. On the quirkier side of the spectrum of Rose City establishments, the Rimsky-Korsakoffee House is located in an unassuming Victorian home, and features haunted tables, visual curiosities and…surprising bathrooms. Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, 707 Southeast Twelfth Avenue, Portland, OR.
