Coffee Shops Stir Emotions, Special Memories With Each Cup of Java
Whether the temperature is 95 degrees, or below freezing, it’s clear that Cherokee Countians love their coffee. Look at the networking photos that we feature quarterly, and you’ll see most people clutching a cup of coffee. Walk into any local coffee shop, and you’ll find busy baristas cranking out the caffeine as individuals or groups gather to discuss business or enjoy friendships.
Since Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day, we take a deep dive to discover the value coffee shops bring to our community. Chantel Adams, former owner of Copper Coin, offers her perspective. Famous for its laid-back vibe and homemade cinnamon rolls, the decade-old shop closed permanently on Sept. 3, 2022.
Tell me about your favorite coffee shop without telling me about your favorite coffee shop.
Whenever I ask this, eyes glaze over. A warm smile curls upward. The person will place one hand over their heart, sigh deeply, and then tell me a story that starts like this: Imagine entering a place where words like grind and steam and swirl and drip are tossed around with careless abandon. Imagine a tray of fluffy rolls laced with cinnamon and enrobed in a silky cream cheese frosting.
Imagine a place where “your table” waits for you to unplug so you can recharge.
Yep, you don’t have to be a classically trained barista to guess we’re talking about coffee. And whether you take it black or with cream or a single pump of caramel and light foam, you would be in good company.
As early as the 18th century, locals have been visiting coffeehouses for stimulating conversation, to meet lovers and friends, and engage in political debate. Johann Sebastian Bach even wrote a 10-movement piece that became known as the Coffee Cantata, which pokes fun at coffee’s addictive traits. After the famous Boston Tea Party, American colonists switched to drinking coffee as part of their rebellion. Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Bush drank so much coffee that their habits are the foundation of American coffee lore.
Here in Woodstock, the tradition continues. You might have heard the phrase don’t cry over spilled milk, but what about spilled coffee? When Copper Coin closed last year, tears flowed like cold brew on tap. And it wasn’t just because friendly faces with names like Logan, Kevin and Mary Margaret knew exactly how you liked your brew (extra hot and with a light sprinkle of cinnamon). It was because your third place locked the doors and closed, not just for the night, but forever.
What is the third place? In his 1989 book, “The Great Good Place,” Ray Oldenberg describes it as that sacred space apart from home or work where conversation, creativity and connectivity provide solace and escape. The third place is the cornerstone of a strong community. So how did Copper Coin become that place? What did it mean to our little town, and what are people doing now?
Just ask Nicole, a local entrepreneur who visited the coffee shop on her first visit to Atlanta and decided that any community that could support a place like this was worth putting down roots. Ask Quinn, who spent day after day sipping peppermint tea and shooting the breeze with the locals. Ask Marco, a quiet entrepreneur addicted to cinnamon rolls, who settled into his favorite corner every Tuesday to be inspired and work on his laptop.
This is the place where strangers become friends who become clients. It is here that first dates turn into true loves (Meet the Bentleys and the Taylors on Page 24), where students cram for big tests like the MCATs, and where young families meet Realtors who help them purchase their first homes. If you are lucky enough to find your third place, your heart will know it. You will be like the many Woodstock neighbors who still sigh, put one hand over their heart, and whisper, “This place was my sanctuary. It was my home. It gave me friends. It saved me.”
– Local entrepreneur Chantel Adams lives in Woodstock with her husband, four (almost-grown) kids, and two feisty kittens.
Our Advertisers Share Their Thoughts on Coffee and Community
Alma Coffee
3448 Holly Springs Parkway, Canton
www.myalmacoffee.com
“We hope Alma Coffee will always be a warm, welcoming spot for our community where every guest is guaranteed to receive impeccable service and consistently extraordinary coffee. Cherokee County is where Harry and I met, it’s where we grew up, and it’s where our families live. It only made sense to plant Alma’s roots in the same place where we got our start.”
— Leticia Hutchins, co-owner
Woodstock Beer & Coffee Market
240 Chambers St., Woodstock
https://www.thestoutbrothers.com/woodstock-ga-beer-market
“Our dear friends, the legendary Copper Coin, closed last year and our downtown area was left with a coffee spot void. We had customers ask if we served coffee and when we said no, we knew we had to change our business model. Now, we’re a hybrid store, where you can hang out with us in the morning, afternoon and at night. We bring the immediate downtown area a quiet place to work, a great cup of Alma roasted coffee, a light lunch and an adult beverage when work is done. We hope we can attract local residents to come across the tracks and bring more business to our neighboring store owners and be the cornerstone of our side of the street.”
— Megan Conn, event coordinator The Stout Brothers
Circle of Friends Coffee With Purpose at The Circuit
1 Innovation Way, Woodstock
www.circleoffriendsinc.org
“When I realized that this unique group of people faces a diverse set of daily challenges, more severe than those who are neurotypical, it created a greater sense of empathy in me and others to find more ways to help them find purpose by enhancing their lives through supportive employment and socialization activities. Cherokee County is where we live, work and play. We’ve seen the warmth of this community toward those with special needs, so it was a logical decision to plant our roots here. We’ve seen such a need that Circle of Friends will open its next location, Flourish Cafe, in early 2024 in Hickory Flat, so we can cover much of the county with each of our locations to serve up coffee, food and smiles.”
— Nick Carberry, vice president of operations
Barrel House Coffee Co.
275 Gilmer Ferry Road, Suite 5, Ball Ground
barrelhousecoffeeco.com
“As the owners of Barrel House Coffee Co., our primary goal is to make our community proud. We chose to open in Ball Ground because there’s nowhere else like it. We live, eat and shop in Ball Ground. We’re raising our babies here. This place — and this community — is home to us.
“At Barrel House, we strive to ensure that every guest (those from Ball Ground and visitors alike) enjoys our coffee. We work to make sure every guest feels welcome; we know their names, we catch up since the last time we’ve seen them, and ensure coffee is ordered to their liking. Barrel House is more than a coffee shop; meetings are conducted at our tables, friends and family catch up, relationships begin and lives are changed here … including ours.”
— Katie Turnage, co-owner and general manager
A Very Presidential Drink
- A pound of coffee per day was consumed at Monticello after Thomas Jefferson’s retirement.
- Teddy Roosevelt was known to drink nearly a gallon of coffee each day by the time he went to bed.
- George Washington imported 200 pounds of coffee in 1770, and Martha Washington had her own recipe for brewing and serving.
- President George H.W. Bush drank up to 10 cups a day and started the tradition of serving only American-grown beans at state functions.
- The Kennedy family used coffee as a campaign tool, hosting Coffee With the Kennedys in the living rooms of prominent families in Massachusetts to propel John F. Kennedy to the U.S. Senate.
Sources:
www.whitehousehistory.org/coffee-and-the-white-house
A Community’s Heartbeat or Just a Good Cup of Coffee?
Some of our county’s most frequent coffee shop patrons tell us about their experiences.
Dan Thrailkill
Outsourced Executive
What value is a neighborhood coffee shop to you?
I don’t think I realized the full value of the local coffee shop until Copper Coin closed. Personally, the local coffee shop gives my spouse and me a place to grab coffee in a different scene after a good dinner. As much as restaurants try to have great coffee, they rarely do. It’s never as good as the product from a good coffee shop. Professionally, the local coffee shop offers me a place to meet new contacts, entertain potential clients, or catch up with a client and thank them for their business.
How can a coffee shop enhance a community?
Whether for professional or personal reasons, the local coffee shop offers me a place to showcase my community, what it has to offer, and the people that make it cool. It’s a place for people to have a first date or could be a place to pick up someone for a first date. It’s a place where business is created and closed. When it’s done well, it can be the heart and soul of the local community it serves.
What interactions have you witnessed?
One of the most impactful meetings for me was six or seven years ago. Jerry King, an awesome local photographer, and I knew each other and were what I would consider acquaintances, but had never sat down and talked one on one. When we did, I got to hear his amazing story and felt comfortable and compelled enough to ask him: “What is it like to be Black in Woodstock?” He was not at all offended by my question and proceeded to give me his opinion. I don’t recall how long he spoke, but when I think he felt like he’d given me his take, he casually asked me: “What’s it like to be gay in Woodstock?” I then gave him my take. I do not recall how long we spent in that booth, but it had to be at least a few hours. Writing this, I now feel guilty for not purchasing more coffee, since we occupied a booth for so long.
What is your favorite coffee drink?
People who order coffee as the vehicle for sugar and junk make no sense, but when you drink bad coffee, you must cover up the taste. My favorite drink is black coffee with a light pour of oat or almond milk or an Americano with the same.
Lois Songster
Artist, Graphic Designer
What value is a neighborhood coffee shop to you?
Personally: I love coffee shops as a way to decompress and to enjoy being around others without the need to actually interact. I can have a lovely drink and snack and be able to meet friends, draw or just choose to sit and enjoy.
Professionally: I work from home as an artist. Having a coffee shop to work in is wonderful to get out of the house and get my creative ideas going. The snacks and drinks don’t hurt, either! Changing one’s location is sometimes so important to not feel trapped in one space.
How can a coffee shop enhance a community?
It’s a local gathering place. They can be considered an important third place for societies. This article by Psychology Today does a wonderful job of speaking about third spaces: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/live-long-and-prosper/201503/comforting-third-spaces. I think coffee shops are really important for gatherings and for personal enrichment.
What is your favorite coffee drink?
I love luxurious lattes and affogatos.
David Samaha
Owner of Diesel David Inc.
What value is a neighborhood coffee shop to you?
Economical environment for a community connection, whether it be an open floor plan with coffee, a desktop and cubicle workspace, light food menu or full kitchen. A coffee shop is a hub to meet, make a plan or manage a busy schedule with a midafternoon pick-me-up.
How can a coffee shop enhance a community?
Communities benefit when an outlet for connections and creativity exists. Some people don’t regularly meet at a church, brewery or bar. A coffee shop fills that need.
What interactions have you witnessed?
We celebrate the firefighter that puts out the fire, but not the mom who turns the stove off when she’s finished or blows the candle out before leaving home. We celebrate the person who loses 100 pounds, but not the one who wakes up a little earlier to make it to the gym. We celebrate the graduate and honor school that issues the degree, but not the coffee shop where hours were spent making that piece of paper a reality. The remarkable thing about the coffee shop isn’t the one significant moment, but the thousands of moments that make those in the community significant.
What is your favorite coffee drink?
Cubano cappuccino.
Sheena Johnson
Advisor/Partner with Copia Advisors
What value is a neighborhood coffee shop to you?
Personally, it’s an easy escape when I need a moment to just sit. Professionally, it’s an environment where I can meet with other people to discuss opportunities. I can use the space to work without interruption when a change of scenery is needed. It’s also nice when you can interact with other like-minded individuals and have a constructive conversation when you’re stuck trying to figure something out.
How can a coffee shop enhance a community?
It becomes the link that connects people who may have never spoken otherwise. I see a sticker from Bizarre or Black Rifle Coffee on a water bottle or laptop, someone with an Alma Coffee mug, etc. while being out in public, and can comment on it to that person because I’ve been there or have swag from the same purveyors on my personal items.
What interactions have you witnessed?
I’ve noticed small Bible study groups and students lifting each other up as they cram for finals or to get that last project finished. I had an interaction with a barista at Starbucks on Highway 92 — it was a good day, but I had made a very difficult decision and wasn’t feeling the best. She gave me a unicorn cake pop and a smile. I almost cried saying thank you.
What is your favorite coffee drink?
Weather dependent — hot or iced — coffee with half-and-half.
Mike Sena
Fee-only Certified Financial Planner ™
What value is a neighborhood coffee shop to you?
It amplifies the spirit of the community, the camaraderie. It gets me out of the house and interacting with others, talking about business or everyday life. I love the casual comfort of coffee shops.
How can a coffee shop enhance a community?
It serves as a gathering place, a magnet drawing others in, a place to talk about nothing or the issues of the day.
What interactions have you witnessed?
All sorts. Casual conversation and relaxed, easy smiles for the most part. I remember a fervent sales proposal, the back-and-forth negotiating and eventual sealing of the deal. I remember the hand-wringing anxieties of a young teen model getting ready to pose for a portrait photographer.
What is your favorite coffee drink?
Small black coffee.
Once Upon a Time … in a Coffee Shop Close By
David and Wynelle Taylor
It was 2011. I can’t remember if it was the music, the chugging espresso machine or the barista/minstrel singing Tom Petty cover songs that made me smile more, but the first time my friend and I walked into Copper Coin in downtown Woodstock, I was hooked. It was my first local coffee shop experience by which all others are now measured. Yet almost two years (and many lattes) later, I was standing in that same line, nervously waiting to order. Nervous because I was there on a double-date with a handsome man who intrigued me. Mutual friends set us up, and the four of us finished the evening nestled on comfy couches in the back room laughing and sharing stories.
That’s where my happily-ever-after began with my beloved husband, David. It’s been almost 10 years since we said our “I do’s,” and Copper Coin was the backdrop of some very special days: engagement pictures outside, coffee with Mama and Daddy — who now is with Jesus — moments of laughter over cups of java shared with friends.
Trevor and Jessie Bentley
Before I met my wife, Jessie, coffee wasn’t a priority to me. That changed in March of 2021 at Copper Coin, when I met my future wife for the first time. We had been talking for about a week before we made a plan to meet somewhere in the middle between where we lived. Copper Coin was the best option because of the cozy ambiance and relaxed setting. Not knowing someone can be nerve-racking, but we felt a calmness on our first date because coffee shops like Copper Coin feel more casual, a no-pressure kind of date.
We spent 4 hours at Copper Coin and probably would’ve talked longer if we didn’t have somewhere to be, but the rest is history. We returned many times to Copper Coin before it closed; it was a great spot to chat and grow closer. We got engaged in October 2021 and married in April 2022, just over a year after our first date! Copper Coin holds a special place in our hearts as the place we met and began our future together.
Leave a Reply