“ You meet such interesting
characters ... I feel like it fuels .” my creativity
instruments and we ’ re able to do that .”
At Taloola , Zagaglioni wanted to bring in original talent as well as find music that wouldn ’ t exceed the noise level , since her café is attached to apartments .
“ We first started out just acoustic , which mostly attracts solo artists but it ’ s grown from there and I ’ d say [ it ’ s been ] just a mixture . We ’ ve had full-on bands take up the space , it ’ s kind of cool .”
Bringing in creative people helps bring a variety of people through the doors , but the businesses have their own resourcefulness in attracting clients . This can range from developing specials other stores don ’ t have , to having couches and interesting artifacts lining the walls , to an industrial space with high ceilings and something to promote communication between patrons .
Dane Charles , owner of Salute Espresso Bar , said he tried to create a unique space that hasn ’ t been seen in the city before .
“ The look is not your typical coffee bar . What we went for is something you ’ d expect out of maybe one of the larger cities . So we ’ ve got an industrial , kind of contemporary feel . We ’ ve got some graffiti on the wall , our seating arrangement is laid out a little bit differently ,” said Charles . “ Everything is set up to take you back from what you ’ re used to and soon as you walk in hopefully you ’ ll recognize that , ‘ Wow , wait , something ’ s different here , I ’ m not used to this .’”
Charles started his business by bringing in coffee from other places in North America . Once he realized shipping would take longer than needed , he decided to start making his
Two graduate students work on their dissertations at the Green Bean Café . The café provides a quiet space for friends to chat and study .
own blend instead , bringing in beans from farmers in the U . S . As a result , he ’ s seen a different type of customer coming through his doors .
“ We definitely get a lot more of the coffee serious people ; someone who ’ s been to these cities and has experienced these different quality coffees ,” said Charles . “ So coming in here brings back to those memories ... generally our customer base will be not only the coffee drinkers but you ’ ll get the craft beer lovers , the foodies , anyone who ’ s into the food will experience the coffee .”
Coffee is definitely an important staple and it ’ s not difficult to find that fix . But while health research shows coffee in moderation is a safe beverage , it ’ s more a matter of how people view the “ obsession .”
Charles said the obsession , along with the development of it by companies like Starbucks and Tim Hortons helped pave the way for independent coffee shops to cater to the coffee-lovers .
August 2013 - The HUB 37