An Ode to Local Coffee Shops

I would be lying if I told you that I immediately began a list of ideas when my professor, Gary Kayye, told us at the beginning of this semester that by December each member of our class would have published 16 blogs.

The truth is, this list actually began last spring when I decided to enroll in Gary’s “Branding of Me” course. I had friends in the class and knew the blogs were coming. And as a planner who always has to be 12 steps ahead, the list of ideas began then.

Some of the posts I’ve made I’ve known I was going to write about for months. Others just came as a result of inspiration striking, and being in the right place at the right time.

Today was one of those days. As I sit in 1922, a local coffee shop conveniently placed on UNC’s vibrant Franklin Street, I feel my love for college towns and their local businesses overflowing.

I truly feel as though local coffee shops exist in a pure, unpoppable bubble. No matter how stressed you are, the environment allows for a productive yet calming experience. Whether you’re meeting a friend for coffee or trying to grind out an entire paper the day before it’s due, the vibes are good and there is always something fun to sip on.

The “Toasty Ghosty” latte my best friend and I got from 1922 in honor of Halloween week.

The way I see it is if I’m going to spend $7 on a coffee anyways, I may as well support a local business in the process. Local shops bring me a sense of peace and homeliness that I’m not sure a chain could ever replicate.

Looking around at the festive Halloween decor, the hand-drawn chalkboards, and the smiley face drawn on the side of my cup, I know I’m sitting inside someone’s labor of love. Seeing other local students studying, reading, catching up with friends, networking, and scrolling on social media, I feel more connected to my school without even speaking to anyone.

I have always been for supporting local businesses, and coffee shops most of all. Honestly, outside of my apartment and sorority house, it’s the place I can feel most at home in a town that I hadn’t stepped foot in until a few years ago.

So, if you’re looking for inspiration to support small businesses or try a new coffee shop in your town, here it is. You never know what little café may become your local pocket of peace!

You heard it here first,

Kylie