Jun 08 2010
Coffee Houses
Young generations might think that Starbucks created the coffee shop; they do seem to be on every corner. What this generation might not realize is that coffee houses have been around for many generations and in fact are rich in history. Coffee houses have been the home of politics, business meetings, local gossip and rendezvous meeting places.
Coffee houses originated in Europe in the 17th century and quickly became popular throughout Europe. Their popularity spread to America and these shops soon became the meeting place for people to come together and share ideas and opinions. Political meetings, business mergers and many other high profile decisions found their answer over a cup of coffee in the local coffee shop.
The relaxing atmosphere has been the birthplace to many songs, poems and works of literature. Many popular authors and songwriters started out writing and even performing in local coffee shops. In past years the coffee shop was often the venue for unknown talent to share their musings with other people. There were poetry reading nights and folk music night along with times of solitude for reading or quiet conversation among friends. The coffee shop has been something different to many different people.
Today, the coffee shop still functions in much the same way. There might now be as many with poetry readings or folk music but they are still the place of meetings and decisions. Executives often meet in the early morning hours to discuss their strategies and seal deal while politicians often visit to shake hands and seem more like the local person than a politician.
Writers and other artists continue to use the coffee shop as a place to let their brains relax and produce their masterpieces. Internet access is commonplace in today’s coffee shop allowing people to sit and enjoy their coffee while continuing to work and go about their day answering emails and shopping while relaxing in the quiet atmosphere of the coffee shop.
Today’s coffee shops offer more than simply coffee. They usually have a variety of coffee drinks and hot teas as well as pastries and even sandwiches in some cases. They often have comfortable seating areas including sofas and private areas for studying and work. Newspapers, magazines and free Internet access are considered the norm and are used to entice people to become regular visitors.
In addition to selling freshly brewed coffee, coffee houses also sell gourmet coffee beans and all the coffee accessories needed to brew their delicious beverages at home. Many coffee shops have a signature blend that can only be purchased at their shop.
Coffee houses continue to be the popular gathering place of the neighborhood. Residents can get their favorite brew and head to the office or grab a comfy seat and play hooky for the day while they indulge in Web browsing and coffee drinking.
-Sharon Chapman