Comments on: The Death of the Modern American Coffee House http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/ bears. beets. battlestar galactica. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:51:35 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Michael http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-1014 Michael Sun, 04 Mar 2007 19:58:20 +0000 http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-1014 Bravo. I just moved to Asheville-town from Minnesota (where there are 5 coffee shops per block) and am suffering my 3rd place withdrawal. Actually, there are many 3rd places here but they tend to center around alcohol. Some of the brew pubs come within range of meeting my needs but are nothing like my previous "home-away-from-home" in Stillwater, MN (www.dailygrindofstillwater.com), which was the home of an extended family of other social "orphans" and was simply a place to "be". I'm reminded of the film "A Station Agent", where the characters gathered every day on a park bench to simply wait for a single train to go by -- the highlight of their day -- but really were just enjoying the sublime "slack time" where there is nothing required of you other than to exist, hopefully in the company of other like-minded souls. By the way, my other regular coffee shop in Minnesota was also Common Grounds (http://www.commongroundsoflakeland.com). Bravo. I just moved to Asheville-town from Minnesota (where there are 5 coffee shops per block) and am suffering my 3rd place withdrawal. Actually, there are many 3rd places here but they tend to center around alcohol. Some of the brew pubs come within range of meeting my needs but are nothing like my previous “home-away-from-home” in Stillwater, MN (www.dailygrindofstillwater.com), which was the home of an extended family of other social “orphans” and was simply a place to “be”. I’m reminded of the film “A Station Agent”, where the characters gathered every day on a park bench to simply wait for a single train to go by — the highlight of their day — but really were just enjoying the sublime “slack time” where there is nothing required of you other than to exist, hopefully in the company of other like-minded souls. By the way, my other regular coffee shop in Minnesota was also Common Grounds (http://www.commongroundsoflakeland.com).

]]> By: Matsu http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-731 Matsu Tue, 07 Nov 2006 03:58:20 +0000 http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-731 This is probably one of the longest blog posts I've ever read, but it was interesting and well written. It's been a few years since I've visited the Common Grounds coffee house. I remember when it first opened, I was working at U.K. at the time. Then, a few years later I was in grad school and I became a regular customer. I think that my favorite third place is Lexington Coffee and Tea. Sorry, no poetry or beatniks to be found there. But, they do have good coffee - much better than Starbucks. This is probably one of the longest blog posts I’ve ever read, but it was interesting and well written.

It’s been a few years since I’ve visited the Common Grounds coffee house. I remember when it first opened, I was working at U.K. at the time. Then, a few years later I was in grad school and I became a regular customer.

I think that my favorite third place is Lexington Coffee and Tea. Sorry, no poetry or beatniks to be found there. But, they do have good coffee – much better than Starbucks.

]]> By: the fav http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-662 the fav Sat, 16 Sep 2006 22:04:00 +0000 http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-662 Ben: I really enjoyed this post. When are you coming to visit us? I want to take you to our third space, and I do believe they have blown away that 24K/year. Although the 72 hrs/week is probably correct. I'm sure it's those casual business dressed that are supporting their good life. They are in almost daily. The beatniks buy coffee, black. You write so very well.--> Ben: I really enjoyed this post. When are you coming to visit us? I want to take you to our third space, and I do believe they have blown away that 24K/year. Although the 72 hrs/week is probably correct. I’m sure it’s those casual business dressed that are supporting their good life. They are in almost daily. The beatniks buy coffee, black.

You write so very well.–>

]]> By: Babba-Gi http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-661 Babba-Gi Sun, 10 Sep 2006 17:59:00 +0000 http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-661 "I only smoke when I drink; so let's just say I smoke". A little Canadian humor there. All the dreadlocks have moved to Asheville. Since the houses in England have no parlors they created the Public House or PUB. The coffee house like every other American business is driven by volume. You don't stay open selling one latte an hour to some student trying to stay warm and escape their roommate. I agree that ambience matters. A drop- ceiling and Pergo flooring do not an Italian Restaurant make. Example: Brenda's Pizzeria. Good NY style pizza but I felt like I was in Dollar General. You may still be able to create the coffee house you desire, but it better be a hobby. I mean don't quit your day job or else be happy working 72 hours a week for 24K a year. My favorite third space has been the library; but lately I think it's PetsMart. “I only smoke when I drink; so let’s just say I smoke”. A little Canadian humor there. All the dreadlocks have moved to Asheville. Since the houses in England have no parlors they created the Public House or PUB. The coffee house like every other American business is driven by volume. You don’t stay open selling one latte an hour to some student trying to stay warm and escape their roommate. I agree that ambience matters. A drop- ceiling and Pergo flooring do not an Italian Restaurant make. Example: Brenda’s Pizzeria. Good NY style pizza but I felt like I was in Dollar General. You may still be able to create the coffee house you desire, but it better be a hobby. I mean don’t quit your day job or else be happy working 72 hours a week for 24K a year. My favorite third space has been the library; but lately I think it’s PetsMart.

]]> By: Still seeking her own "third place" http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-660 Still seeking her own "third place" Sat, 09 Sep 2006 12:56:00 +0000 http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-660 Well put, sir. You have a fair wealth of quality commentary going on here. And it's sad to hear that my mental coffee shop ideal (Common Grounds), the ruler against which I measure all other coffee related establishments, has lost some of it's intrinsic Common-Groundiness. I don't think I could have ever visited there enough in my 5 years of college, but now it sounds like I wouldn't quite recognize it. Well put, sir. You have a fair wealth of quality commentary going on here. And it’s sad to hear that my mental coffee shop ideal (Common Grounds), the ruler against which I measure all other coffee related establishments, has lost some of it’s intrinsic Common-Groundiness. I don’t think I could have ever visited there enough in my 5 years of college, but now it sounds like I wouldn’t quite recognize it.

]]> By: Aunt Dot http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-659 Aunt Dot Sat, 09 Sep 2006 07:02:00 +0000 http://neuralfirings.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/the-death-of-the-modern-american-coffee-house/#comment-659 Oh, boy, Ben...I actually read all of this. I only get Starbucks every 3-4 mo. 'cause it is right near the hospital I go to to get my (fasting) endocrinology blood test...and (this might be beside the point) but, the people are soooo nice in there...honest. It's (the lab that I go to) is a 20 min. drive from our house and...by that time...I'm dying for a cup of Joe. I get a latte (to cut down on the caffeine). Hey, I'm past 50...hitting (in 3 or 4 years) the other mark. Oh, boy... Oh, boy, Ben…I actually read all of this.

I only get Starbucks every 3-4 mo. ’cause it is right near the hospital I go to to get my (fasting) endocrinology blood test…and (this might be beside the point) but, the people are soooo nice in there…honest. It’s (the lab that I go to) is a 20 min. drive from our house and…by that time…I’m dying for a cup of Joe. I get a latte (to cut down on the caffeine). Hey, I’m past 50…hitting (in 3 or 4 years) the other mark. Oh, boy…

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