Lavender Scone & Banana Burle

Brewing Good Coffee Co.

Enchantment of Nothing

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Sometimes there isn't much to say and do.

Sometimes just good company in silence and observation is all one really needs to find some place new.

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3

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For this October Sunday, I want you to close your eyes for a bit and join me.

Parking is a tad confusing with the signs scattered around about towing, recreational parking, retail parking etc. But you manage to find a spot on the lower level of the complex. The large black sign with white lettering detailing “Savage Mill Mall” and some dates about its age and historical precedence.

I wave to you. Today is a different experience. I’m glad you found it. After a second failed attempt by me to remember that Coffee House is closed on Sundays, we find ourselves pivoting to Brewing Good Coffee Company which is about 10 minutes away from my original destination. I do need to remember that the area where we’re in is not a college town, but a city of hard working 9-5 folks who know that-- economically speaking it is more lucrative to brew one’s own coffee at home than buy coffee. But how else are we supposed to figure out what Woof & Coffee Co. is going to brew and create without exploring?

I wait for you standing on short set of concrete steps that lead to the patio and smile. “I’m glad to see a familiar face” I say with a tad relief. “I was worried I sent you on a slight wild goose chase with the change of plans” I know its not ideal, but sometimes small changes make for the greatest adventures. You look around a bit seeing the bright red brick of the old building. It’s much larger in reality. But we will explore that another time. For today we will start small. If you’re braver than me go explore some more after! I do have a few errands to run once our coffee trip concludes. But that is nothing we need to focus on now.

You’re here and the moment now is what matters. Are you taking in the scene around you? I can see your eyes wander trying to make sense of it. This small thin wooden patio that has worn down planks from so many passers and pedestrians. The civil war trail is behind us and dog walkers and parents pushing baby strollers on this crisp 9:00 AM morning. Some do have coffee in hand. Others are holding eachothers hands going on the Sunday morning stroll.

We’ll have to remember to bring our dogs with us won’t we? I know I’ve made a note of it. I’m sure they’ll like it. But come, we need to see what they have to offer. Brewing Good Coffee, they should hold true to their name? Let us see.

You tilt your head slightly at the small arched glass door. It’s a bit short for people. Be prepared to duck if you’re 6 foot. The door is slightly ajar and looks older, but that’s not a bad touch. Creaking slightly your eyes catch the small Halloween décor in the small space. The black bats hanging from the ceiling contradicting that bright neon blue painted coffee bar. Behind you see the baristas running around. Someone walks in front of us and I stop you before they run into you as they jump over the yellow chain link to the mounds of brown flannel bags of coffee beans stacked on wooden pallets. All that separates us from that is that little yellow chain link.

You look at it. How easy it would be just to cross it. But here you can’t smell anything. You get the feeling then that this isn’t like last time. To your right there is a wall that closes off the coffee bar into a small space. It feels a bit tight. You look up to see the bright metal workings and the fluorescent light makes it feel too bright in here. Not as cozy as you were anticipating. Perhaps that’s just both of our previous experiences rubbing off on us. The barista signals a menu to us smiling, “Good morning! How are you?”

I won’t answer for you. Now the menu is small, and you look at me. Ah you would like me to pick? Hmm lets see. Seasonal would be pumpkin spice but we had that last week. “What would you recommend?” I asked the Barista.

“I’m more of a pumpkin spice fan. But the Banana Burlee is a fan favorite this time of year.”

“Then we’ll go with that” I say. “Along with a grilled Danish, and lavender scones” need something to fuel us for the rest of our Sunday don’t we?

You’ve gone to browse the coffee beans and grinds that are being sold. The white and brown bags. They have a few tea assortments. But the names make you smile, “Rise and Shine” or “For The Early Bird” then they have the classics labeling beans based on locations from around the world such as Nicaragua or Honduras.

We’ll have to remember using names like that. Makes things unique. There’s a few stickers too, cards, a wood working advertisement from a local wood worker. This area is known for its artisans and crafters selling their personal pieces. Doing that a coffee shop is quite smart. Perhaps we can implement that too?

It doesn’t take long for our order to finish. Given in small compostable cups and bags. Again white. This is when you really realize how small the coffee shop is. The seating area is entirely separate from the coffee bar. Which is a-typical. As well makes it seem less lively.

The second arched doorway leads us to a white room.

You’re hear the single speaker play out in the separated seating area. Old arched glass doors separate the coffee bar from the seating area. You noticed the white walls and light wooden furniture pairing. A classic minimalist attempt. But this place seems small. The only sound you hear is the pop music that doesn’t fit this vibe with just you and me sitting here together. The plants are a touch of greenery, but the walls still seem too sparse.

“I hope Woof and Coffee Company won’t look like this” you say. I smile setting your coffee down, noted it won’t be. There’s no aroma of beans. Not many people either. Two. Which is just us. That music isn’t bad, just not really what could be blasting here. I’d make it softer. Because the room is small and it’s overpowering the intent to relax individuals. Coffee is supposed to be a calming experience whether you are sitting down or on the go.

You take a sip from the small plastic cup. It tastes okay. A tad of banana, but nothing super special. It is nice to have something warm. There is outside seating but it’s a bit too chilly for us to do that today. There’s a long bench with pillows made from coffee bean bags at the back of the room where we settle down.

You pick up the small pumpkin on the table for fall décor. It’s not a bad touch. Just sparse. The room has speckled tile flooring. With plenty of seating, but despite the art exhibit and bookshelves with games and children’s books its still feels empty. The brick is even painted over white. All four walls are the same color. There is one small nook with a deep blue wall with a reading corner and couches. But it is no where near the bookshelf. “Why is only the top shelf filled?” you ask. I shake my head, “Not sure” I chuckle. Perhaps that isn’t their focus. Though I think the room could be better utilized.

We’ve gotten used to the music by now slightly. “So how have you been?” I ask.

You’re quiet for a moment. This really isn’t a setting where you are feeling too comfortable to share. That’s alright. Sometimes simply enjoying company in silence is all we need for today. Over a grilled cheese Danish that isn’t warmed, a coffee that is alright. But… a lavender scone that redeems this coffee shop. For a sit down area it does do the job, yet I think next time we’ll grab our coffee to go and hit that Savage Mills walking trail with our dogs don’t you think? Then we’ll have more company and our worries of the week before and ahead will wash away. Don’t stress.

It's important to also learn to enjoy the silence between people, and with yourself. Experiences like these also teach us what we don’t want. That is just as important. In the moment it might not be easy to tell. But eventually if you teach yourself to think and approach life in that manner it will become more habitual.

For today, hope you enjoyed that lavender scone. Feel free to explore some more. There's plenty of other things to see.

Personally, I’ll see you next week. Life has a funny way of keeping us all busy.