By: Will Frasure

THE COURT STREET COFFEE SHUFFLE

Coffee is an essential on any college campus. With students constantly cramming for exams, projects and finals, the caffeinated boost from such a drink can help a student get over the hump and shake a tired spell. Today, I ' l l look at four of the most popular coffee shops in Athens and figure out which has the best to offer to the people at Ohio University. Let the shuffle begin.

The first stop on the journey is Baker Center's Front Room, standing at the top of the student union. With the coffee being provided by Starbucks, the venue definitely has a corporate feel, with student workers wearing assigned uniforms and not looking too happy about their jobs.

The clientele at Front Room consists of students on their way to and from class. With the option to use Bobcat Cash and Flex Points, students are able to use their student cash instead of paying with cash. “That’s a big draw for me,” junior journalism student Adam Wagner said. “The coffee isn’t particularly good, but it’s quick and convenient on the way to class. If I had the extra money, I ’d go somewhere else.”

Down the street a few blocks, one of the newer coffee businesses stands. Court Street Coffee opened in the fall of 2010 and has gained a decent following among the Athens clientele. One plus for the coffee shop is its location, which stands just a few blocks from Baker Center and many academic buildings.

For Art Werger, the biggest pull is the taste of the coffee and how quick and convenient the service is. “I don’t know what it is, but everytime I go to Perk’s, it seems a little burnt,” Werger said. “It’s always pretty good here.”

Katrina Barnhart, a worker since the opening of Court Street coffee, said the mellow environment is a definite plus, along with the location. One hindrance she has seen is the lack of space Court Street has, which inhibits people from staying there longer like they may do at Perk’s or Donkey.

Across Union Street, Perk’s Coffee House stands on the corner of Court and Union. Once again, location comes into play for the success of the company, but its reputation and value make it one of the most popular coffee places in Athens. As worker Justin Blocker said, “It makes this town feel a lot bigger than it really is.”

Blocker said the location will pull people in, but the cheaper prices for quality products, l ike the $1 coffee, keep patrons coming back. He also believes the attitude of the workers and patrons at Perk’s may not be as “pretentious” as people at other coffee shops.

For Garrett Steed, a senior geology major, it provides a perfect spot for him to hang out before class. “I can get most of my readings done here and the people here don’t care,” Steed said. “It’s laid back and doesn’t cost a lot. I get away here for a l ittle.”

The farthest of the coffee shops stands off West Washington. Usually known as the top dog in Athens coffee, the Donkey Coffee Shop is dimly l it with gigantic couches and even bigger rooms for patrons to sit at and enjoy their coffee.

Eric Osborn, a junior, said it’s tough for him to pick between Perk’s and Donkey. He said Perk’s is definitely convenient and is a great place to stop on the way to class, but doesn’t really offer the same thing Donkey does in terms of art, poetry and events. “Seeing bands here is always fun and none of the other shops really do that,” Osborn said. “The environment as a whole feels l ike a coffee shop, definitely more than Perk’s and the other places.”

Osborn’s debate seems to be the most common among coffee aficionados. Perk’s location is an advantage, but he feels l ike Donkey’s place off Washington doesn’t hurt it enough to deter its value. “It’s only a few minutes out of the way,” Orborn said. “It’s worth it. The atmosphere and environment make it the best coffee place here.”