Foo - What a great morning!!

So, I took the day off work because I'm actually going in for an interview with another company this afternoon.

I heard about a new coffee shop from one of my bike partners over weekend, and I had it in mind to check it out this morning. Last night I get the brilliant idea to ride my bike there because it's pretty close and near the trail.

So I ride to the coffee shop this morning, and I love it! I hate that there are no good coffee shops around here. They are all either Starbucks or sandwich shops that also do cappuccino, etc...

This is a real coffee shop. A nice little mom and pop shop. The husband roasts his own coffee. Nearly every coffee he makes is single estate coffees. She took me in back and showed me the roaster. I have also been meaning to get a new coffee press pot, so I bought it from them and carried it home on my rack pack.

We finally have a nice "real" coffee shop in the area....and its an easy bike ride away. :)

I'm envious... It' snow/sleet here. and all I have is my Maxwell House.

A ride and excellent coffee, that does sound like a great morning! I'm snowed in and made a pot of Starbucks house blend...your morning was better. :D

Yeah...today is going to suck. Snowed in with no food, but I DO have delicous whole Dunkin' beans and hot water. I miss riding my bike...

Congrats. I stood in line at Starbucks for 10 minutes this AM to get a mug and a gift certificate for Wade's teacher for Valentines day. I does not likes me some Starbucks. I had my homebrew in the car waiting for me.

Maxwell House and Starbucks house blend?

I wouldn't let either of those two coffees even into my house. :rolleyes: :D

Coffee snob! :fight:

Maxwell House and Starbucks house blend?

I wouldn't let either of those two coffees even into my house. :rolleyes: :D
I reserve my "snobbiness" for beer/wine/scotch. :D

Coffee snob! :fight:
You're far from the first person to call me that. :p

I'm proud to be a coffee snob. :)

He's not a coffee snob....he's a "Caffeine Connoiseur"....get it right, for foo's sake.

He's not a coffee snob....he's a "Caffeine Connoiseur"....get it right, for foo's sake.
Actually...the shop is called "The Caffeine Gourmet". :)


Maybe we'll have to head up there together sometime, Cat. :) It's in downtown Largo.

I still can't get out of the apartment, because of a snowdrift! I'm jealous! At least I have some Sulatran coffee to drink!

Sounds like a great morning. :) Congrats on finding a nice little place to get a cup of jo!!

Actually...the shop is called "The Caffeine Gourmet". :)


Maybe we'll have to head up there together sometime, Cat. :) It's in downtown Largo.
Things sure have changed down there, I lived in Clearwater '91-'93 and couldn't find a decent cup of coffee anywhere.

Things sure have changed down there, I lived in Clearwater '91-'93 and couldn't find a decent cup of coffee anywhere.
This is the first I've found.

Sounds like a plan to me KT. With any luck on the workfront I'll be availible all weekend.

Sounds like a plan to me KT. With any luck on the workfront I'll be availible all weekend.
Me too me thinks....standby for a call. Possible Saturday morning plan? I'll call you if it works out for me. :)

Sure thing, I'll let you know how it works out...if you hear tons of white noise in the background, it means I'm probably at work....it's pretty loud in here.

Sure thing, I'll let you know how it works out...if you hear tons of white noise in the background, it means I'm probably at work....it's pretty loud in here.
LOL...I know the feeling. Remember I'm in the lab at least half of the time too. ;)

True....my problem is I'm 15 feet away from a fluid cooled 2-corner chamber, and when it's cycling coolant it gets jackhammer loud in here....except it's all white noise.

True....my problem is I'm 15 feet away from a fluid cooled 2-corner chamber, and when it's cycling coolant it gets jackhammer loud in here....except it's all white noise.
I'm just usually two feet from a full rack test station.

Same here...I'm surrounded by them. The joys of electronic test.

Same here...I'm surrounded by them. The joys of electronic test.
If things go well for me this afternoon, I'll be done with electronic test (and the aerospace industry). :)

That sounds lovely! Local roasters are the best!!! :)

That sounds lovely! Local roasters are the best!!! :)
First I've found in this area.

Also...they only use Fair Trade beans. :)

From what I remember, Fair Trade means they pay a buck and change minimum per lb. of green coffee beans no matter where the beans come from and no matter what the cost of living is for that country. They pay more for higher quality beans, but in some countries, the base rate they pay isn't always enough to cover cost of living expenses after deductions for growing the beans are made. Still, it's better than buying at commodity prices.

Back OT, a good cup of coffee in the morning is a joy to behold. And it tastes even better.

If things go well for me this afternoon, I'll be done with electronic test (and the aerospace industry). :)


Best of luck bro! I know, the electronics industry can be a huge PITA at times....and I can only imagine how bad the aerospace sector of it can get....on my end of the secured area I see enough sideways things happen.

Best of luck bro! I know, the electronics industry can be a huge PITA at times....and I can only imagine how bad the aerospace sector of it can get....on my end of the secured area I see enough sideways things happen.
I'm just tired of being a "software" person in a "hardware" industry. Sick of being treated like the village leper.

Heh, i get that too sometimes....it's odd being one of the few telecom geeks in a network equipment fab....and the only telecom equipment line.

It really sucks explaining the differences in T1cas, T1pri, and E1pri signaling to every Process Tech in training.....you have to understand analog telephony before any of that makes any sense in a way that will help troubleshoot these units....and that is a HUGE lesson.

Heck, it only took me 4 years to really get good at it.... :p

First I've found in this area.

Also...they only use Fair Trade beans. :)


That is sooo cool! Score one for you! :)

How long have they been in business? How old are the couple? :) I still want to start my own shop someday.

That is sooo cool! Score one for you! :)

How long have they been in business? How old are the couple? :) I still want to start my own shop someday.
I've thought about doing a shop one day too.

I didn't meet the husband, but I'd guess the wife to be around 60.

I just found they have a website:
www.caffeinegourmet.com

The photos shows a lady behind the counter...she's the lady I was talking to while in there this morning.

I've thought about doing a shop one day too.

I didn't meet the husband, but I'd guess the wife to be around 60.

I just found they have a website:
www.caffeinegourmet.com

The photos shows a lady behind the counter...she's the lady I was talking to while in there this morning.

Awww how cute!! She looks so happy to be there!! :) Don't you just love supporting local businesses? Hopefully I can start my own sooner than later.

Awww how cute!! She looks so happy to be there!! :) Don't you just love supporting local businesses? Hopefully I can start my own sooner than later.
I LOVE supporting local businesses!!!

I've been wanting a new french press....same price everywhere, so I waited to buy it there instead of the big box store. :)

I LOVE supporting local businesses!!!

I've been wanting a new french press....same price everywhere, so I waited to buy it there instead of the big box store. :)


Oh and French Press coffee is sooooo good! I think I might convert to that if the drip machine ever craps out. Although quality and design certainly matters. We bought a french press converter to go inside Nalgene bottles for brewing coffee while camping. Either we didnt do it right, or the press isn't that great.

Ok, that does it! Foo field trip to Florida!! :D

Oh and French Press coffee is sooooo good! I think I might convert to that if the drip machine ever craps out...
We're planning the same thing, I love French Press coffee so when our fancy-schmancy cuisinart drip maker bites the dust we'll convert. YUM!

As for buying locally, I always give my money to a local enterprise first provided they offer their product with decent customer service. I quit going to one of our local coffee places because the staff was rude as hell.