For the remainder of my Columbus To-Do List, I decided to make a switch to the Coffee Shop list. I realized that the end of the semester had snuck up on me, and that I would not have time to do the OAC list before the deadline. I went in with an open mind, and found that I enjoyed the coffee shop list! I went to Mission, Imperro, One Line, Kafe Kerouac, and Boston Stoker coffee shops.
Mission Coffee is a coffee shop unique unto its own. The shop is in what was once probably a garage, and the front wall is to this day still a glass and wood garage door. Despite the humble space, there is plenty of room on the finished wood floors at tables and in chairs. While there, I saw many people studying, taking a lunch break, and meeting in business attire. The hot chocolate here is for real. Some of the best. I’d recommend this shop highly to anyone who needs to study or needs to chill. The store is open and has not only plenty of room for work, but also plenty of chairs for chilling for a few hours.
Imperro coffee has a unique feel to it. Being right on High St., the shop has a little more hustle and bustle than other shops, but offsets this with a darker, more relaxed mood. The trek down to Imperro was not bad either, as the shop is closer to campus than Melt. I would definitely recommend this shop to a friend. The shop, even though it is right in the middle of High, feels a little bit out of the way, and is a good place to go to for some quiet.
One Line coffee is an experience in itself. The shop is just a little ways down from Imperro, yet has its own unique feel. The shop is well lit, which is strange for coffee shops nowadays, and has large, street-facing windows. This gives the shop a very open feel, along with the interior, which is sparse, save for the counter where the coffee magic happens. The coffees offered may be a tad expensive, but are definitely exotic and flavorful. I would recommend this shop to a friend with a more serious appreciation of coffee. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that anyone attempt to study here, though. The tables and seating areas were sparse and compact, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for work.
Kafe Kerouac seems like a nothing-special coffee shop on the outside, but inside the store has a comfortable, homey feel. The staff were friendly as well. I would recommend this shop to anyone who is willing to travel a little ways North of campus for a pretty decent cup of coffee. I completely forgot to get a picture of the shop, sadly, otherwise one could begin to appreciate the feeling of hometown coffee shop that Kafe Kerouac gives off.
The Boston Stoker shop is a fairly long walk from campus. But, if one has some time and a bike, the shop is well within reach. The shop itself doesn’t draw much attention to itself, as it is located in a strip mall adjoined to a Giant Eagle. Though it is a small shop, what they sell is worth the journey. I got a strawberry banana smoothie, just to shake things up, and it was one of the best smoothies I have had. Though the drinks are a little pricey, a good drink every once in a while is well worth it. I’d recommend this place to any real coffee nerd, as the selection isn’t massive, but what the shop does have is not of poor quality.
I enjoyed, more than the shops themselves, walking to the shops. It was a good way to see the city, and made me notice a lot of the smaller stores scattered along the city streets of Columbus. I want now to take some time finding my way round the city, stopping into new shops that you don’t really notice as you go by on a bus or in a car. I’ve learned to think smaller and more numerous when thinking of Columbus treasures. In this city, it isn’t about big monuments or landmarks, but about small shops and groups of people.