It has been 10 months since we moved to Huntsville and I have yet to tell you about the coffee culture down here. If you know me in real life, or simply from this site, you know how much I love the java, so it didn’t take me long to visit all the spots around town, once I got my bearings.
The winter was quite rainy and so there were many occasions to sit inside, with a latte (or chai or black coffee) and read a book. My ratings, therefore incorporate several variables. Being a social scientist at heart, you know I had to have a few scales and some stats to back up my scoring.
On that note, here is the key I will be using to score each location:
- Beverages:
- Not good = 0 points
- Semi-good = 2 points
- Good = 5 points
- Excellent = 8 points
- Superiour = 10 points
- Ambiance:
- Cozy seating = 5 points
- Stellar sound system = 5 points
- General vibe is favourable = 10 points
- Location/Hours:
- Easily accessible by car/mass transit = 5 points
- Extended hours (nights/weekends) = 5 points
- Open on Sundays = 5 points
- Price:
- Variable price structure = 5 points
- Espresso drinks are under $5 = 5 points
- Offer a low priced, drip coffee option = 5 points
- Donates a portion of proceeds to a cause = 10 points
- Staff/Service:
- Staff is friendly and upbeat = 5 points
- Staff is knowledgeable = 5 points
- Staff is not condescending = 5 points
- Service is quick, relative to the beverage being created = 5 points
- Table service = 5 points
- Recycling available = 5 points
- Reusable containers = 5 points
- Social Media:
- Strong social media presence = 25 points
- Updates Instagram/Twitter/Facebook frequently with interesting content
- Mediocre social media presence = 10 points
- Updates at least one social media site weekly
- Has a website = 5 points
- Website link does not go to Facebook = 5 points
- Strong social media presence = 25 points
And now for the locations…
- Alchemy Coffee
- Gold Sprint Coffee
- Honest Coffee Roasters
- Offbeat Coffee Studio
- Old Town Coffee
- Sugar Belle
In the coming months, I will be revisiting each of the coffeehouses for scoring and post a review after each visit. This is a summer endeavour, so I am hoping that these coffeehouses really deliver during these next few months! I have a front runner in mind, but at this point it could really be any cafe that takes away the top ranking. There won’t be actual prizes, but bragging rights are a win. So, get ready for some great coffee and come back often to see which coffeehouses I have visited and my take on each location. If nothing else, I will be heavily caffeinated and get A LOT of writing done, right?!
Peace, love, and caffeination,
hippiegrrl