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Posted by on Oct 1, 2013 in Blog, Local Coffeehouse Visit | 0 comments

Rock Rabbit Coffee & Bistro, Pinedale, WY

Rock Rabbit!!!!  Makes me want to get up and dance 80’s style!  The name is reminiscent of the 80’s song by the B-52’s, Rock Lobster.

Dan and his partners have created a space in Pinedale, Wyoming that screams music. They have a stage and several big monitors looping musical performances including Jimmy Buffet, The Doobie Brothers and Phil Collins. I was able to attend their Tuesday Open Mic Night and was simply blown away by the talent in that town with a population of 2,030.  If you count the people who live in the outlying areas it goes over 5,000 of the most talented people per capita I’ve every been around (as if that accounts for much).  Five musicians performed their own music with guitars or a keyboard …   AMAZING!!!  Oh, and one comedian who was allowed to give one joke (Jeff)  LOL!!

They serve coffee roasted in Wyoming and make most of their goodies from scratch.  I devoured “The Big Fat Rolled One” one morning that knocked my socks off; for some reason I took a nap shortly afterward.

Rock Rabbit Coffee & Bistro
432 Pine St  
Pinedale, WY 82941
(307) 367-2448
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Posted by on Sep 27, 2013 in Blog, Local Coffeehouse Visit | 1 comment

Metro Coffee Co., Casper, WY

Siesta time!

The guys at Metro Coffee Company in Casper, Wyoming take the afternoons off!  Isn’t that great?  Gotta love local business and the freedom they have to make executive decisions like this one 🙂 They’ve been doing it for over 10 years in downtown Casper. It  gives them the the opportunity to be 100% for both the morning buzz rush and for the evening study groups and acoustic music stage.

The baristas there were some of the most attentive that I’ve met.  They love pulling shots and being an integral part of the community.  Cody said that it makes him happy to brighten the mornings of the customers … and he truly meant it!

The place is full of plants and local art.  The most unique piece of art is their old Mac computers …. available for public use IF you can sit long enough to get online 🙂

Stop on in when you’re in the neighborhood!

Metro Coffee Company
241 S. David
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 472-5042
www.metrocoffeeco.com

Peace, Lisa

PS – I will add the names of “the guys” once I find that little piece of paper with their names on it 🙂

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Posted by on Sep 21, 2013 in Blog, Coffee News, Lisa's videos, Local Coffeehouse Visit | 0 comments

Coal Creek Coffee, Laramie, WY

First stop on my indie coffee road trip: Laramie, WY

“Home to Malcontents, Revolutionaries, and Do-Gooders of all types” is on the door.. A grand description of many coffeehouses I’d say, as they have historically attracted people that gather for the greater good.

Coal Creek Coffee Company has been part of downtown Laramie‘s landscape since 1993; an old-timer in the industry by U.S. standards. The founder is local entrepreneur, John Guerin. According to another John, one of his three employees behind the counter today, the owner is passionate about coffee and owns two coffeehouses and a roastery also in Laramie. But it doesn’t stop there … Founder-John also loves to bake tasty sweets like homemade graham crackers drizzled with dark chocolate, granola and cookies to name a few of the tempting treats behind the glass.

Next on his list of loves is brewing beer and is in the process of opening a brew pub next door to the coffeehouse on Grand and the railroad tracks … does this guy have it goin’ on or what? His business partner and wife is Jodi Guerin … A fellow Sister of mine with Sisters in the Fly!  I love the synchronicity!

I just had to post a photo of their retro Elektra espresso machine … wow!

It is a Saturday afternoon with bright blue skies and a crisp, almost-autumn breeze swirling through town. the customers I see are musicians, students, local homeless, young families, and a Tibetan monk. All are welcome and comfortable here.

My drink of choice? … a made from scratch iced chai!

by Lisa via PressSync

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Posted by on Jun 14, 2013 in Blog, Local Coffeehouse Visit | 1 comment

Jake’s Brew Bar, Littleton CO

Isn’t it great to be local?

Jake’s Brew Bar … is a “brew” bar serving brewed coffee and brewed beer!  Clever, eh?  They have been open about 12 months, and today have tons of business walking through the doors in the revitalized Main Street of Downtown Littleton, Colorado.

Barista Matt was gracious from the moment I walked in the door, offering a friendly smile with a kind demeanor.  He made me feel at home for the afternoon I spent in the front window writing and blogging.

They have chosen two different local roasters as their coffee vendors: Novo Coffee and Corvus Coffee; both are well respected roasters in Colorado.

Some coffeehouses are heavy on one type of customer or the other; you may see mostly students or a lot of artists.  This place seemed to draw a nice blend of the community with folks chatting with each other comparing qualities of local craft beer and a few folks sitting at their computers sending last minute emails on a Friday afternoon.

Jake’s was named after the owner’s father, Jacob Barth.  He is from Albuquerque, NM and served in the Army during of WWII.  Owners, Janie and her daughter, Vanessa, also own a wine bar around the corner off of Main St. called Katie’s ~ named after her mother.

It is a family affair!  Step in during the Western Welcome Week coming up this summer.

Luvin’ local, Lisa

Jake’s Brew Bar
2540 W. Main Street
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 996-1006
www.jakesbrewbar.com
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Posted by on Jun 12, 2013 in Blog, Local Coffeehouse Visit | 1 comment

Our ultimate vision: to keep the small, local independents alive and THRIVING!

Paris on the Platte, Denver, CO

Paris on the Platte’s Sidewalk Sandwich Sign in LoDo, Denver

I had a long conversation yesterday with a coffeehouse owner about the business of owning a coffeehouse … you know, the challenges associated with keeping it going on a daily basis.  “The margin in coffee is just so low”, he said.

His coffeehouse has been in Denver for over 20 years and also has experience in fine dining.  He has chosen to diversify his offerings to include alcohol and live music in the evenings.  The location of the coffeehouse used to be a popular destination, but now sits on a very busy neighborhood street and feels it is lost in the shuffle.

He indicated these as his biggest challenges:

  1. Keeping overhead low; especially getting reasonable pricing on dry goods and condiments from suppliers
  2. Attracting and keeping knowledgeable, involved baristas
  3. Staying abreast of the growing, changing coffee culture both locally and globally in the midst of a 7-day work week
  4. Finding that niche again: offering unique products, services that keep customers returning

This is where I’d love to help by creating a community of coffeehouse owners  to support each other, where they can build camaraderie and brainstorm ideas.  Where I could assist them in building a co-op to purchase products and services that help their bottomline while maintaining a thriving local economy.  Let’s just do it!

Contact me at lisa@thelocalcoffeehouse.com if you’d like to find out more about my vision.

Luvin’ Local, Lisa

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