The coffee:  Excellent.  They use Novo and Cojo.  Novo is locally-owned and sustainably sourced.   I couldn’t find much information about Cojo.
Ownership:  Independent
Friendliness and competency of the baristas:  Excellent.  (The barista couldn’t make designs in the coffee but he tried his heart out!)
Hipness:  Eclectic (It’s in a strip mall after all)
Parking:  Excellent
Seating:  Excellent
Free wi-fi

Two girlfriends and I visited Sojourners on a Wednesday at lunchtime.  I have passed this coffee place many times and was very curious.  Situated in a strip mall on Florida and Holly, it doesn’t look like much on the outside.  I was pleasantly surprised once I stepped inside.

My friends had arrived early and selected a table under a striped outdoor umbrella which, among other things in the cafe, gave the place a distinct “we’re not in Kansas anymore Toto” feeling.  Artwork, mainly of dogs, decorated one wall.

The small tables on one side of the store were occupied by younger laptop using coffee drinkers and the rest of the cafe was filled with happy conversation.  This was a definite plus in my book.  At some shops it’s all or nothing.  At Pablos, I love the no wifi policy–it stokes eye-to-eye conversation.  But sometimes I need to hit my computer for awhile and it’s just not conducive to that.  On the other hand, if I want to meet a friend for a nice conversation over coffee, I feel like we have to whisper at Stella’s or St. Marks because it’s all students hovered over their computers.  We literally were kicked out of a room at Stella’s for being too noisy while others were trying to work!  I won’t be going back there.

Sojourners was a great find and I’m glad I gave it a try after all of these months of driving by.  Sojourners is barely two years old.  I want it to stick around.  I’ll definitely be going back.

]]> http://www.erintoll.com/sojourners-coffee-tea-llc/feed/ 0 http://www.erintoll.com/community-agroecology-network/ http://www.erintoll.com/community-agroecology-network/#comments Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:11:25 +0000 Erin Toll http://www.erintoll.com/?p=212 Continue reading →]]> AgroEco Coffee Partnership
Nicaragua Union of Coops
Small-scale coffee farmers, roasters & researchers
Community Agroecology Network
www.canunite.org

 This post concerns coffee exclusively rather than the coffee house.  AgroEco coffee was sent to me in the mail directly from the source to sample and compare to the other coffees on my blog.  In short, it ranks right up there with my two favorite coffees:  Trieste from Kaladis and Danger Monkey from Pablos. 

 I requested the dark roast.  It had a rich deep finish without tasting burnt or bitter.  Most importantly, the company’s main concern seems to be with sustainability and concern for the small farmer.  According to the back of the package, the average size of the coffee parcel is only four acres and the average size of the growers’ household is five people.  What I love is that one of their sustainability projects includes economic empowerment of youth and women. 

 I visited their website at www.canunite.org and learned that their vision is “for a global economy where people, healthy food systems, and the environment come first.”  One purchases their coffee directly off their website for $13.95 or $14.95 depending on whether you join their club.

 When I want to have a latte with a fancy fern or heart design in the foam, I will continue to visit Pablo’s and Kaladis.  For my home, I intend to keep AgroEco coffee around.  Not only does it give me that boost I grave from a well-roasted espresso shot, but I can feel better about my obsession with coffee because I may actually be helping some small farmer in a less privileged part of the world. 

From the Ground Up

Summary:

Quality of the coffee:  Good; some fair trade beans; local roasters
Ownership:  Independently-owned
Friendliness of the baristas:  Super friendly
Hipness factor:  Not very
Parking:  Good.  There is a parking lot out front
Seating:  Excellent.  Comfortable tables and chairs high and low, a coffee bar and appropriately spaced seating for private conversations
Free wi-fi

This is a newly-decorated, more modern establishment with a homey feel that is about two years old.  It is super clean and neat.  With faux hardwood floors, and wainscoting, it also boasts a pine coffee bar area with a granite countertop.  The seating is very comfortable with tables, low and high, appropriately spaced for private conversations.  There are lovely photographs on the wall for sale.  The space looks out to a parking lot with a view of a suspicious massage parlor, Taste of Philly and Big O tires.  Coffee house rock from XM plays softly in the background.

The coffee is from two local roasters:  Novo is the one for espresso.  Most importantly, it is delicious.  I ordered a soy latte and the espresso was nice and dark with the soy heated to perfection.  The barista took the extra time to decorate my latte with a pretty flower.

I visited the shop at about 3:00 pm on a weekday.  From the Ground Up had about 10 patrons visit during my stay.  Every single patron stayed for awhile.  It’s that kind of place.  It is very inviting.  There was no particular age group for the shop.  On one end of the spectrum was a young family with two small children drinking hot chocolate and on the other were two 60+ gentlemen.  Everyone seemed to know the barista.  The owner came in who lives in the area and was very friendly.  Several people seemed to know her as well.

From the Ground Up is a locals’ coffee shop.  Part of the reason is that you have to know it’s there to find it.  The only signage faces Colorado Blvd and says “The Coffee Shop”.  The local areas are University Hills where the owner lives  and Observatory Park where I live.  Having said that, it’s well worth the trip to find it, in the tiny strip mall next to Big O tires.  It would be a great pulling off place when the traffic on Colorado Blvd is really bad, or if you are in the mood for a non-Starbucks, Cheers kind of atmosphere.  I’ll definitely go back.

In short I highly recommend this coffee shop for its delicious coffee, friendly local atmosphere, excellent seating for private conversations and easy parking.

Kaladi Brothers Coffee
1730 E. Evans Ave.
Denver CO  80210

Summary:
Quality of the coffee:  Excellent; fair trade organic beans
Ownership:  Independently-owned
Friendliness of the baristas:  Super friendly
Hipness factor:  Very hip; mostly university students, academics and locals; no yuppies
Parking:  Terrible, except on the weekends
Seating:  Can usually squish in at the bar if it’s crowded, which it usually is
Free wi-fi

Kaladis is located at 1730 E. Evans on Evans and Gilpin next door to Tokyo Joe’s and across the street from the Denver Spoke bicycle shop.  Kaladi’s was established in 2000 by an Alaskan who ran a thriving coffee business in Anchorage.  Apparently unhappy with the increasingly corporate atmosphere of coffee chains, he moved the operation to Denver.  Kaladi’s is independently-owned.  Kaladi’s sells only organic fair trade beans.

It’s main clientele consists of University of Denver students and professors.  Not surprisingly, it has a very academic atmosphere.  One can often overhear “what I want to do with my life” conversations.  Most of the clientele appear to be in their mid-20′s or 50+.  Noticeably absent is the 30-40 yupster crowd.  Sitting here on a Sunday, about half of the patrons are students, often with goatees and tasteful piercings, while the other half are 50+ locals with reading glasses on.

Kaladi’s is also a big draw with the locals.  Neighbors from Observatory Park, Platte Park and the whole DU area frequent the tiny coffee shop.  Indeed, as a resident of Observatory Park, Kaladi’s happens to be my local hangout. 

The shop seats only about 25ish comfortably and is usually full.  People are super friendly and often agree to share their tables.  There is one big round shared table.  I can usually find a spot at the small bar area with a view of Evans and the Denver Spoke when it’s crowded.  From my experience, the shop is most crowded during the week when DU is in session and when one would expect class breaks.

The only drawback to this wondeful coffee shop is the parking.  Since Tokyo Joe’s moved in next door, store-front parking is often non-existent.  There is often parking across the street, but crossing busy Evans can be dangerous.  There is usually parking on one of the side streets. 

The seating itself is uncomfortable.  Don’t expect the big comfie and rather sterile cushy chairs popular at coffee shop chains.  This is a down-to-earth, homey place…and my personal favorite.

Please leave a comment if you wish and suggest other coffee shops for me to visit.

Quality of the coffee:  Excellent
Ownership:  Independent
Friendliness of the baristas:  Excellent
Hipness:  Not very, except for the baristas
Parking:  Excellent
Seating:  Excellent
Free Wi-Fi

Finally there is an alternative to Starbucks for those who live or work in the Denver Tech Center area, Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills’ areas.  Espressole is in the Landmark Shopping Center next to the Landmark Theater.  Entering Espressole is like entering a loft–it has huge ceilings with exposed ventilation.  There is a warm brick fireplace with two comfie chairs in front of it.  The other seating is new and very comfortable consisting of several low tables and comfortable wooden chairs.  There appears to be outdoor seating but it was too cold to sit outside.

Espressole sells Zoka coffee.  Zoka Coffee and Roasting Company is a Seattle company that specializes in artisan coffees.   Its website does not boast that it is organic or free trade coffee.  I ordered a soy latte and it was delicious.  They apparently use unsweetened soy which is my preference.  My friend ordered a regular cup of coffee and was very happy with the taste.

I visited Espressole at 8:15 on a weekday.  By the time I left at 10:30, the place was completely packed.  During the time I was there, the place was all business.  There were business meetings happening at every table, in front of the fireplace, and one group had pushed three tables together for a meeting.  This is definitely a cool place to conduct morning business for those who work in the DTC.  Everyone was in business attire, except for the baristas. 

Espressole, in spite of its very European name conjuring up authors and writers engaged in deep conversation, is a business person’s coffee shop.  It caters to the Tech Center working crowd, at least on a weekday, midmorning.  I’ll try to visit at some other time of day to see if the “flavor” of the clientele changes.

I recommend Espressole as a cool place to conduct business, but not as a place to discuss the meaning of life over hot coffee.  This place is all business.

The coffee:  Very good.  I have contacted the owners for more information regarding sustainability, free trade and organic issues
Ownership:  Independent
Friendliness of the baristas:  Very good but not very knowledgeable about what they sell
Hipness:  Extremely
Parking:  Off-street; can be a pain
Seating:  Very good; lots of space with a mishmash of styles
Free Wi-Fi

I took a prominent real estate agent here to get her out of the Cherry Creek area.  “We’re not in Kansas anymore,” I read in her eyes.  The eclectic Italian renaissance décor takes one off guard at first.

We visited St. Marks on a Thursday afternoon, around 1:00 p.m.  As usual, the place was packed.  St. Marks has a distinctly local feel, which must be true because there was not enough parking for all the guests so many must have walked.  While ages ran the gamut, at this particular time, there were a lot of 21-30 year olds.  Oddly, almost everyone had a laptop, and we ogled one woman with a laptop, an iPad and an iPhone on her table.  Very few people were sitting face-to-face having conversations.  In fact, it was a little uncomfortable.  I asked “permission” from the numerous laptop users in the back area to carry on a conversation.  We almost tripped over the numerous electrical cords providing juice to the computers.  It felt more like a computer learning center than a coffee shop.

In the summer, the feel is quite different.  The front wall is actually a garage door that opens to the street providing a fresh breeze and lots of sunlight.  The last time I was there I remember more people outside reading print newspaper, those journals that are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

I verified from the barista that most of the guests are locals and they often park there with their computers for hours at a time. He said even lawyers from further down 17^th street come uptown to get out of their offices and do some work in a different atmosphere.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t answer any of my questions about the origins of the beans or type of coffee brewed.  I sent an email to the owner who will hopefully respond and I will update this review.

St. Marks is a very hip and cool coffee shop.  There is no comparison between it and the chain shops.  The clientele is young, cool and hip and while they had laptops, most guests appeared to be surfing or on facebook rather than working.  The atmosphere is very laid back, lacking the “let’s do business” feeling at say Espressole in the Tech Center, reviewed earlier.  It’s not as hippy beatnick as Paris on the Platt.If you are in the mood to get out of the office or just wear your jeans or sweats and hangout and surf the web or catch up on emails in an interesting environment with a cool vibe, this is the place.  Based on what I saw, it’s not the best place to go to yak it up with a girlfriend.

The coffee:  Great.  Roasted by Pablo’s off-site.  Couldn’t get info about free trade or organic issues.

Ownership:  Independent
Friendliness of the baristas:  Excellent
Hipness:  Extremely
Parking:  Ample.  There is a lot on the south side of the shop and street parking
Seating:  Excellent; lots of space with lots of bar tables and chairs next to the all-glass north wall
NO Wi-Fi (you read that correctly.  They do not have internet access.)

I met a good friend here on a Friday morning.  Our appointment was for 9:00 but I arrived early.  It’s a good thing I did because the line was out the door by 9:00 and there were no tables left.  After spending an hour and a half at Pablos, I learned why it is so popular.

Pablos has the best vibe of any coffee shop I have reviewed so far.  The customers were mostly locals who walked there from their capitol hill homes.  Everyone is very friendly and I had no problem striking up a conversation or two to find out about the clientele.  People were journaling (with actual pens and paper!), reading books, reading the newspaper, and mostly having conversations with each other.  Only one person had a laptop out (besides me with my iPad). The dearth of laptops was in stark contrast to St. Marks where virtually everyone sat alone hidden behind their laptops.  The reason became clear when I tried to get Internet access—they don’t have Internet!  This is the only coffee shop I’ve reviewed that didn’t provide free wi-fi.  Perhaps that explains the hum of pleasant conversations and contributed to the wonderful vibe.

The decor is, well, unique.  There are five antique-looking crystal chandeliers mixed in with modern pendant lighting.  The red velvet wallpaper on the west wall was an interesting contrast with the modern black and white ceiling tiles. The fantastic atmosphere stems in large part from the northern wall which is a giant window facing out to 6^th Avenue.  Lots of light comes in, people-watching is superb, and there is something to stare at when your mind is searching for that right word for your journal.  Bar stools and chairs line the window.  There are three sofas, a communal table, and about seven smaller cafe size tables with an assortment of chairs, some of which could have come from the alley near the dumpster they were well worn.

All age groups were represented.  However, the majority of the patrons appeared to be in their mid-thirties and a bit younger.  I was told by a regular that artists and writers love to hang out at Pablos.  Tattoos were the norm rather than the exception, especially on the three very caring, well-trained and friendly baristas.  Not a single person donned a suit or even business casual attire.  Yes, it was a Friday, but still!

Along with Kaladis, Pablos goes on my list of absolute favorite coffee shops.  I can’t wait to go back.

Stella’s

1476 South Pearl Street (Old South Pearl Business District)

Denver, CO 80210
(303) 777-1031

 The coffee:  Excellent.  They use Pablo’s coffee! 

Ownership:  Independent!

Friendliness of the baristas:  Excellent

Hipness:  Very

Parking:  Terrible.  (It’s right across the street from Sushi Den and Izakaya Den making parking a nightmare)

Seating:  Excellent

Free Wi-Fi

I have visited Stella’s on numerous occasions.  There is something for everyone at this wonderful independent 20 year old coffee house.  Stella’s is literally in a house.  Each room, nook and cranny seems to have its own personality.  I noticed that in the side room to the south, the whole room is filled with students quietly studying and using their laptops.  This is not a good room for conversation.  To the east is a comfortable nook with a sofa and chairs where one doesn’t get ”glances” while engaging in conversation.  I’ve never seen such a wonderful patio at a coffee house.  There is a firepit and numerous heaters for Denver’s chillier nights.

Stella’s is usually hopping.  I don’t think I’ve ever been in there when it hasn’t been crowded.  But because the seating is so spread out, it doesn’t feel crowded, especially from the front when you are buying your coffee.  There is no set age group or type of person that frequents Stella’s.  I’ve seen high school-age kids studying and I’ve seen older folks reading books.  I’ve seen men and women in suits and others in shorts.  Anything goes at Stella’s.

The seating at Stella’s is nothing short of eclectic—everything from old comfy sofas and chairs to wooden chairs, to a picnic table outside.

Stella’s caters to the Wash Park, and post Sushi Den crowd.  People also drive here from all over.

Stella’s is truly unique coffee house–one of the only I’ve visited that can truly call itself a coffee house.

1400 E. Hampden Avenue (between University and Broadway)

Englewood CO  80113

303-806-0900

The coffee:  Excellent.  Presently 85% Rain Forest Alliance certified.  Goal is 100% by end of 2011.  Some organic coffees.

Ownership:  NOT independent; chain

Friendliness of the baristas:  Excellent

Hipness:  Not very

Parking:  Excellent

Seating:  Excellent

Free Wi-Fi

Most of my coffee blog posts are about independent coffee houses and not chains.  I’m breaking my rule here because Caribou is worthy of mention.  The company is very concerned with sustainability and free trade, and indeed, 85% of its coffees are Rain Forest Alliance certified.  Their website says they have a goal of being 100% certified by the end of 2011.

I have visited Caribou several times since it’s in my ‘hood, most recently at about 7:00 p.m. on a Tuesday night.  As usual, the place was hopping with guests, which seems to be the norm for this shop.  There were about 15 patrons on this Tuesday night.  There were two students in the corner but most people were in their late 30’s to early 40’s.  In spite of the number of people who frequent Caribou, it is easy to hear each other and good place to get together for a quiet conversation.

The seating is very comfortable with two sofa-type chairs in front of a fireplace.  There are several tables and chairs, and some outdoor seating for the smoking crowd.

Caribou caters to the University Hills, Englewood, Cherry Hills residents.  Its close proximity to Swedish Hospital I imagine brings in some business from the hospital, but I have never seen anyone in scrubs there.

Although it’s a chain, I recommend Caribou for its interest in protecting the forests, the quality of its coffee, the comfort of the surroundings, and the ease of parking.