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From Tucson to Austin: Elixer Coffee
I saw this on Arizona Coffee about a week ago and thought folks would want to know.
Elixer Coffee has been sold, and is being relocated to Austin. I spoke with the previous owner who informed me that the new owner has had experience before. He also told me that he hopes to see what they started continue.
The most interesting aspect to Elixer’s brand image is their Studebaker truck.
I’m not sure when the move will happen, but I will do my best to keep you updated when it does.
You can also keep an eye on their website to see if they announce it when the move is made. Since Tucson is to Arizona what Austin is to Texas in many ways, I suspect that the brand will make a good fit for its new community.
"Pay What You Think Is Fair": Duncan Coffee Company
We received an email from Mills Duncan of the Duncan Coffee Company with this interesting idea.
Times are tough especially for coffee houses. I would like to help out by offering a program to all interested coffee shops to “Pay what you think is fair” for our Farm to Market Fair trade coffees. Perhaps any interested party could e mail me and suggest a price they might want to pay and I will get as close as I can (restraints of our accounting system) ex if someone wants to pay $4.00 a pound and the lowest setting was 4.25 we would go with the 4.25. COD or credit until they establish credit.
This was such an interesting and ethical (of sorts) approach, that we had to pass it along.
Opening Bell Coffee: Dallas, TX
Opening Bell Coffee - Dallas, TX
I received an email over the weekend letting us know about Opening Bell Coffee from Pascale. He writes,
Hi guys! Love your website and would like to be listed as a coffee retailer in Texas. We are actually celebrating our 6th year in business on March 15 
We have 2 locations in Dallas, TX! Thanks so much, Pascale
So, this is the first time I’ve heard of this place, but apparently they were voted Best Liquid Assets(2005), Best Coffee House(2006), and Best Atmosphere(2006) by the Dallas Observer, and Best Coffee House(2007) by D Magazine.
The Dallas Observer website has a description that reads:
Formerly Standard and Pours. What started as a yuppie coffee haunt in 2003 has turned into a pretty happening live music spot for acoustic bands and singer-songwriter types. Adding beer and wine didn’t hurt. New are DJs on Wednesday nights.
The description reminds me of what Ruta Maya was trying to do in San Antonio before they closed (I never did visit the original Austin location, so I can’t comment on that).
The have directions to their location, which you can find on their Website.
Opening Bell Coffee has been added to our List of Retailers.
Opening Bell Coffee (Southside)
1409 S. Lamar Suite #012 (Basement #012)
Free Parking on Belleview Street entrance
Dallas, Texas 75215
Phone 214.565.0383
Opening Bell Coffee (Mosaic)
300 North Akard #300
Dallas, Tx 75201
Phone 214-665-BELL (2355)
"No, There's no place like Home for the Holidays"
The lack of posts, and the lack of activity here is directly related to the Christmas season.
Like many others, I left town to visit family. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! (or Hannukah)
I visited a few coffee houses on the trip, and was reminded of how much there is to do. Despite how awesome COE winning coffees and new gem-like discoveries are, and no matter how big of a splash they make, the wake never really makes it all the way to the heart of where it really matters: the average neighborhood coffee house.
They are almost always full of great people, and this is one of the aspects I loved when I first got interested in coffee.
So, if you find yourself traveling for New Years, good luck! Better yet, forgo the luck factor and bring your own coffee. (but don’t be afraid to try what’s around.. there are some undiscovered gems out there.)
ATTN: Coffee Roasters, Retailers, and All Other Sellers of Goods in Texas
The Holiday Season is upon us.
With the coming of the holiday season (and maybe partially due to the progressing recession) many roasters, retailers, equiment suppliers, and other businesses have slashed prices on some items, put together money-saving package deals, and perhaps have start promoting holiday specials.
We at Texas Coffee People would like to help both the businsses as well as the consumers.
It can be difficult to find gifts for certain friends and family members, and coffee is always welcome in my house, and I am under the impression that great coffee is always a great stocking stuffer, and for the real coffee lovers, what better to pair it with than a new brewing, grinder, or storage gadget?
This is a call-out:
If you have any holiday specials going on, and you want to let our readers aware,
let us know!
We would like to put together a list of holiday specials and gift items as a resource for folks who may not otherwise be aware of your product line, specials, or have simply forgotten that your business exists when they are shopping this holiday season.
So, if this is something you think you would like to get in on, shoot us an email through our contact page (linked above) to find out about the details of this offer. This is the first year we have offered this service, and if it goes well, we’ll probably continue it again for the next year.
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!
Coffee N Cream Grand Opening (2nd location): Allen, TX
I received an email today from the folks at Coffee N Cream to let me know about the grand opening of their second location. (I didn’t know they had one in the works in the first place!)
They write,
Please come out N celebrate with Neighbors N Friends the Grand Opening of our newest Coffee N Cream!!When: Saturday, November 15, 7-10p (Come and go)Where: The Village At Allen 190 E. Stacy Rd, Allen TX 75002 (Hwy 75 and Stacy Rd)Live music featuring Nicole Conrad!We’ll be debuting some of our CNC Own Baked(tm) creations – fresh from our kitchen…a Coffee N Cream first! Cookies…banana bread…cupcakes…muffins, N more. Some yummy hors d’oeuvres too.We look forward to seeing you Saturday night!Warmly – Mary and John
New Poll: Does Latte Art Matter?
It seems that latte art is becoming more and more commonplace as more baristas take it upon themselves to master this decoration of espresso based milk drinks that seems to have become a phenomenon of popularity and a perceived mark of achievement. (whether this is true or not is quite debatable, and if you so choose to, you can debate it in the forums)
So, the poll is in place. What do you think? When you are visiting a shop, is latte art expected? If they are not pouring art, do you feel something is missing? Do you consider latte art a novelty not worth paying attention to?
Cast your vote, and tell us what you think. The poll can be found on the sidebar to the left of this post.
Beatnix Coffeehouse Closing: Waco, TX
As taken straight from the official Beatnix Myspace blog.
Beatnix Coffee House to Close Saturday
7/23/2008 / Waco, Texas
This Saturday, July 26th, will be the final day that Beatnix Coffee
House opens its doors to the public. A “Closing Bash” will be held,
featuring performances by local musicians.Beatnix’s owner announced on Wednesday the closing of the coffee house
and cultural venue at 1826 Lake Shore Drive, due to poor economic
conditions and lack of capital for expansion.Opened in 2005 by Penney Simpson, Todd Millerd, and Sandra Hapenney,
Beatnix quickly became known not only for its gourmet coffee and
sandwiches, but as a haven for poetry, art, and music. It was awarded
the Music Association of Central Texas’ Groovy Award for Non-Club Venue
of the Year in both 2007 and 2008.Simpson said “Beatnix has been my dream, and I had so many plans for it,
ways that it could be a gathering place and creative spark for Waco’s
culture. But it had to move and grow in order to survive, and our
attempts to find investors or purchasers for the business have all
proved to be dead ends.”Beatnix Coffee House will be open for normal business through Saturday.
On Saturday evening, it will hold a final “Closing Bash” at 6 pm, with
local musicians performing on stage for the last time.
Lack of capital for expansion? Was the business failing, or has it just been stagnant too long?
In any case, nobody ever likes to hear of a shop closing. As a coffee professional, I can’t help but be curious as to why it happens. Each case is different, and it’s often, though not always, due to failing financially. (or being marooned by the city *coughtpanthercitycough*)
What good is a Groovy Award if it can’t save your business? It must be defective!
Thanks to Badger for the tip.
Crooked Tree Coffee House: Dallas, TX
I received an email from Jonathan A. at White Rock Coffee letting us know about this place near the heart of Dallas.
Jonathan writes,
Just wanted to let you know about a new independent shop in the DFW area. Crooked Tree Coffeehouse opened about a month ago in Dallas’ uptown area, at 2414 Routh Street. It’s in a pretty “hip” area of town- a residential neighborhood rezoned for business. It’s nice to find a coffeeHOUSE in a big city. Cozy location, comfortable furniture, live music is very intimate but can get kind of crowded (no actual stage, just set up in the corner). The owners and baristas are VERY passionate about coffee. They make some great espresso drinks, and also serve your usual fare of teas, chai, smoothies and pastries. All of their coffee comes from a company in Colorado Springs called Bywell, and it’s all Fairtrade organic. You can find there website at crookedtreecoffeehouse.com.
Cool! The last time I visited a House converted into a coffee retailer was at Common Grounds in Waco.
Has anyone else visited this place?
Thanks for the heads up, Jonathan.
Crooked Tree Coffee House has been added to our List of Retailers.
Reminder: DFW Jam, TOMORROW!
Don’t forget!
9am tomorrow morning at the Mosaic Cafe in Carrolton hosted by AAH! Coffee, and sponsored by Pallo (www.coffeetool.com).
it’s mostly cupping centered, and it will feature coffees from various roasters in Texas.
Don’t miss the customer interaction lecture given by Aaron Heil(AAH! Coffee), and stick around for the Culture of Excellence presentation headed up by Eldon Hooley(Javataza).
Enter the friendly competition(s) if they occur.
Expect it to run for most of the day.
I will not be in attendance. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I intend to spend it leisurly with my significant other. I hope everyone has a blast!
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