When I lived in both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, I was always within walking distance (or frequently walked by) coffee shops. Because I’m now living in the suburbs of Des Moines, there is considerably less walk-commuting – and, in fact, I do not even live within a reasonable biking distance (or via direct bike path) of a coffee shop.
I have been more intentional at connecting with people for various meet-ups, which is why I started a coffee shop list on my phone of new places to visit. My goal is to work/unwind at a coffee shop at least once a month and to cross off at least one new place on my list every other month. This thesis ain’t gonna write itself! Coffee helps.
Here is where I have visited so far (with blog posts to come!):
Zanzibar – Ingersoll neighborhood
The Coffeesmith – Waukee
Gong Fu Tea – Downtown DSM
Smokey Row – Help me here, Des Moinesians (Moinians?): what is technically this neighborhood?
Watershed Cold Brew – Downtown Farmer’s Market, where an iced coffee with lemondade nearly put me in an existential crisis (IT WAS SO GOOD!)
Friedrich’s – 86th Street location in Urbandale
Freedom Blend Coffee – Des Moines (Kirkwood? Man, I have a lot of work to do on recognizing neighborhood boundaries.)
Grounds for Celebration – Beaverdale
Here’s what I have on my (ever-growing) list:
Horizon Line
DSM Brew Coffee Co.
Java Joe’s
Ritual Cafe
Rich’s Brew
Pammel Park Coffee Company (in Madison County; yes, I will travel for coffee!)