Easton Sidewalks: Every Coffee House has Its Place

Rise Up New Building Image

Since the Spy prides itself on being a faithful observer of downtown Easton sidewalks, it has not gone unnoticed that the town has seen the recent openings of more than its fair share of high-quality coffeehouse establishments. From Piazza’s expanded space in Talbottown to Federal Street’s Weather Gage, the addition of Evergrain in the Conservation Center, and Rise Up’s plans to expand on Dover Street, Easton now finds itself in the possibly awkward position of having too much of a good thing.

Evergrain

Just a few years ago, some excellent locally-owned breakfast and coffee venues had sadly come to an end.  The corner store on Goldsborough and Washington, the Bartlett Pear Inn”s small store on Harrison, followed by the Cafe in the Inn, and finally, and very sadly, the untimely end of Joe’s Bagel, Easton was looking mighty thin on the coffee house front.

And yet, within twenty-four months, all have changed again. Just as the general economy has improved so has Easton’s, and poof, the community is now blessed with four new great places to frequent.

Nonetheless, having grieved over the obituaries of these former morning hangouts, it’s instinctive to wonder if all can thrive in a small town of 15,000 or so.

The Spy thinks they will.

New Piazza Location

After mapping out their different spheres of operation, clientele, and unique circumstances, it seems quite possible that all of these terrific establishments can make it work.

Weather Gage

When one looks at the bigger picture and realizes the unique territory each coffeehouse serves, as well as differences in how one arrives by foot or car, what time the store opens, all add up to each venue having their own, and very vibrant subset, of the total population they collectively serve.

While Rise Up and Piazza generally can attract motorists, Weather Gage and Evergrain will be relying on much more significant pedestrian clientele. And while Piazza and Rise Up can offer more space for customers, the other two are far more intimate. And finally, like any genuine coffee place, they will establish, if they have not already, their unique idiosyncrasies, specialties, and ambiance to draw different kinds of customers.

And that is the Spy’s hopes for these very special places on Easton’s sidewalks.

Which coffee place do you go to daily?  Take the Spy poll here?