the coffee shops...

there is something special about small, fun, quirky and independently owned coffee shops. i love them. every single place that i visit, stay, live or simply wander through, i have to hit the local coffee shop.

in Carolina it was Carolina Cafe, and every time i go back... i realize that the secret must be out. the place is always packed, especially on a Sunday after the Gamecocks play (win) at home. the place has homemade everything and is always delicious. my favorites have to be the breakfast bagel sandwich, the chocolate milk and the iced coffee - all perfect for a hangover or the perfect food in tote for a stroll on the horseshoe.

then there was Norfolk - Borjo... oh how i miss Borjo! the scones were out of this world, the cinnamon buns were bigger than my face, the local art was always a conversation starter oh and after five they served drinks... yep. fact. the chicken salad was amazing and the best part...it was literally ten steps from my work. Oh and the coffee! the coffee was some of the best....nothing crazy however, their ice... their iced was crushed and what could be better than an afternoon walk down Monarch Way with a cold, crushed iced coffee? the answer is nothing. I miss Borjo, but I actually miss the company I kept at Borjo more.

next up, tampa... tampa kinnnndaaaa sucked when it came to coffee shops. i was pretty bummed to find no local stops, no local favorites or have to hit spots in the AM. however, for what it is worth my love of Panera came from Tampa. they knew my name, they knew how to toast my bagel and their coffee came with free refills. so, i'll take it. nothing special, but panera - i love you anyway.

now, Roanoke...Roanoke is a special kind of place. it's artsy, it's eccentric and better yet you're still in the south so expect that southern hospitality with well, let's call it "liberal flair".... i love it. Roanoke is home to two favorites... Mill Mountain and Cups. Now, Mill Mountain seems to be a staple in the region with a few locations and an ever changing coffee selection and standard sweets and samples to cure any hangover. The specialty drinks may be priced a little higher but that never stopped Joe from going all in with the Carmel, Mocha, whatever... for me it was the coffee. plain. hot. coffee. with cinnamon please. ;) then you have CUPS. cups is special to me. it's in the center of historic Grandin Village and it's slogan is "my other office is CUPS"... how cool, right? It's got hilarious owners, ever changing local artwork, comfy couches, tables made from old VHS tapes and plenty of drinks to choose from. Oh and bring your own cup, store it here and they will keep it clean and waiting for you.... how awesome, right? and don't forget - the wifi, free! it's a perfect coffee shop, in a perfect little town.

I can't wait for my next coffee shop love affair and from what i hear, there are going to be a quite a few to choose from. so, look out Amherst, a new local is coming to town! oh and for what it's worth....if I had a coffee shop full of everything awesome, it would without a doubt be called "The little bean"... um, how awesome? maybe one day...