What Makes a Coffee Shop Feel Like YOUR Coffee Shop?
If you are a fellow coffee lover like myself - which I imagine you are if you are reading this blog - then coffee shops are probably your “third space.” And if you have a third space, chances are you have a favorite: the coffee shop that just feels like it was made for you.
Finding your favorite coffee shop is not just about finding a quality cup of coffee. It is so much more than that! It’s the feeling you get when you walk in. It’s the aesthetic that matches your personality. It’s the baristas who know your name and maybe even your drink order after a few visits. Maybe you got lucky and it’s close to home, making those mornings when you wake up and realize you’re out of coffee a good excuse to get out of the house and surround yourself with community.
Let’s start with the first impression: You walk into a coffee shop that is about to be your new third space. The music is playing your favorite artists, the artwork is giving you a serotonin hit, and the barista happily greets you as you walk up to order. You think to yourself, “I like this place.” And just like that, it begins.
Now let’s talk routines. Having a daily routine, like stopping at your favorite coffee shop every morning before work, can positively affect your mental health and mood. There’s something comforting about knowing exactly where you’re going and exactly what you’re ordering. That little bit of consistency can give you a sense of control, reduce decision fatigue, and even help lower stress. That comforting feeling your go-to coffee shop gives you? It’s good for your health!
Perhaps the most important thing about the process of finding your coffee shop third space is something that comes gradually over time: the people you meet and the memories you share there. Maybe it’s where you found your partner or your best friend. Maybe it’s where you got good news. Maybe it’s where you had an amazing conversation with a stranger who changed your perspective. Eventually, you’re not just going there for the coffee.
A coffee shop becomes your coffee shop when it starts to feel less like somewhere you visit and more like somewhere you belong. We hope Alma becomes that for you.
