By Larin Elaziz, Special to the Journal
“Drink Coffee! Do Stupid Things Faster with More Energy,” proclaims a sign that is proudly displayed on the main wall in one of my parents’ favorite breakfast places. It is, I believe, styled after ads in the 1950s, which to contemporary viewers may seem a bit outdated and thus amusing. However, one thing is undeniable: coffee gives you energy, and for many coffee lovers, drinking it is a daily ritual. I have become one of these coffee lovers. However, coffee is not only a drink, but also a statement; it is a central point of the social phenomenon that revolves around this black beverage. How so?
I come from Poland, and coffee shops there are called “kawiarnie” or cafes, rather than coffee shops. We go to a cafe to drink coffee and spend time inside. For us, it’s not the norm to go in, grab your drink, or leave with a bag of beans. At least it used to be this way before big coffee shop chains came to Poland and introduced plastic (now paper) cups to go. A cafe was, and to the majority of us still is, a place to sit at a table, with or without company, order a cup of coffee, and maybe a piece of cake or pastry (by the way, Poland has the best baked goods in the universe).
When I first came to the U.S.A. a couple of years back, I was extremely intrigued by what the local coffee shops looked like. Effortlessly, I found drive-through coffee shops. “Where are the sit-down places?” I asked myself. I was relieved to find at least the good old Starbucks, though our local one was kind of empty inside compared to the crowded and lively cafes in Poland.
I decided to look more closely and find some local places that served coffee and reminded me of what I was used to: cafes with their own atmosphere and vibe, unlike cookie-cutter chains. Knowing I would be a Pellissippi State Community College student soon, I set out to explore the neighborhood around the Hardin Valley campus in search of places to spend time, drink coffee, relax, study, or meet up with friends.
I started with an Interepid Nitro Coffee and Tea Bar. What a neat place this is! Clean, modern design, bar stools at the counter, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee- all made me feel like I deserved to be there. They offer a good selection of pastries; I could not resist. The prices are average, similar to other coffee shops, and the atmosphere is definitely inviting. Besides two other ladies and me, there was only one student there, evidently doing their homework. I blamed it on the summer break because this place deserves a larger audience.
My next stop was at a place called Tealicious. Technically, it is a bubble tea place, but you can also have coffee there. This place is definitely cramped but in a sweet, positive way. As colorful as the tea it serves, even black walls do not look black. With a big “let’s be friends” call welcoming you from the checkout counter, the moment you enter, you feel a bit like you’re in an anime world, plus there you can try a variety of beverages.
Right next door, there is Sunago Coffee. I finally found my world there. Packed with students hanging out, studying, and relaxing, it finally felt like home. I have a feeling this is where you will find me the most. There are beautiful and spacious places, tastefully designed to make you feel welcome and give you privacy. Big, wooden tables invite people to sit at and mingle. The mocha I ordered was delicious, and I have a feeling it was not the last one I will be having there. The cafe surprised me with the selection of items you can buy from local artists and craftspeople. I took a brief look at the selection and found it absolutely worth it. The prices are a bit higher but worth the experience.
All in all, I am very content that I found places to go, hang out, and continue my Polish tradition of enjoying my time at cafes. To a person like me, who is not keen on big, crowded, club-like venues, it is more of a social experience than just a store or a “shop” to go to buy some coffee beans. I hope I will see you there soon!
