Saint Paul is a traditional, working class kind of town that has a neighborhood bar at nearly every important intersection. Many of them are institutions that have been serving the neighborhood for what seems like forever. What’s new in the last decade or so is the increase in locally owned neighborhood coffee shops across the city.
There isn’t a set name for them yet, with many people using the terms “café” or “coffee house” or “coffee shop” interchangeably. The most interesting part of this new feature of neighborhood life is that in Saint Paul very few of them are national chains. It’s easy to get to know the owner because that’s the person who is likely to serve you in the morning. Usually, you call them by first name and ask for a “Large dark coffee”.
The way this came about is a story in itself. The friendly, personal service is something that Saint Paulites naturally support, so the market was obviously there. What made it all possible is the infrastructure created by some of the local chains that have a number of outlets across the city and into the suburbs. Dunn Brothers was one of the first, and they sell their coffee at a number of places around town, including the Downtowner and Trotter’s. Caribou Coffee has a strong presence locally as well. J&S Coffee (pictured below, in the summer) is one of the smaller outlets that provides fresh and unique coffee to many local shops in addition to their own two locations.
What can you expect in one of Saint Paul’s coffee shops? First of all, unlimited free WiFi is standard. Each café is also very generous about allowing people to stay all day long if they want, encouraging meetings and gatherings. In these ways, they are definitely serving a need as neighborhood hubs. Some offer live music at night and computers with internet access for those that didn’t bring their own laptop, as Rudies does (pictured at top, also in the summer). All of them have people using the place as their remote office, with files scattered around them.
What all of these establishments have in common is that they are very Saint Paul. While sitting around in a bar all day isn’t considered acceptable to most people, a day in the local coffee house is. The same approach to life and work, in the neighborhood, has created a new institution that is run in about the same way. The only difference is that you can drink the product all day and not be impaired unless you get too wired to be useful; that’s still not illegal, however.
As things change around us, what stays constant is Saint Paul. New things come in with each generation, but they fit into how we have been living our lives. What counts is knowing the people we buy from and hang out with in the old Saint Paul ways. In the process, there’s plenty of really good coffee to be found that is served up by people who really care about what they are doing. That’s what makes it so good.
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sounds awesome – most of our coffee shops are chain places, which are good, but i like the little local mom and pop places the best
I try to meet clients in coffee shops. When I actually have a choice – I choose a local coffee shop over the Starbucks. BUT the operative phrase is “when I have a choice.” Starbucks seems to rule in a lot of communities here. In Larchmont, I would love to use the local coffee shop, but seating is so limited and the tables so small, I can’t really talk to my client and show them paperwork and promotional material. I’m “stuck” with Starbucks. But I really feel that supporting local business is very important.
Sadly, Rudies burned recently due to arson.
http://ksax.com/article/stories/S755376.shtml?cat=10230
Our coffee shops are all chains too, its too bad because the mom and pop thing is sorely lacking in Phoenix.
This is a great post. We’re lucky to have so many great local coffee shops in St. Paul. Ginkgo and Nina’s immediately come to mind on a personal level. As chains go, Caribou doesn’t seem evil. I signed the initial paperwork for my house at the Caribou at West 7th and St. Paul Ave.
To be fair, Minneapolis has a bunch of great coffee shops, too. I used to spend a lot of time at Purple Onion. Muddy Waters is pretty great.
I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy similar experiences in other cities, even unlikely cities. I think if you want it bad enough, you’ll find it. And as a tried n’ true St. Paulite, I’m one of those who naturally supports friendly, personal service.