quaint.

Microbrewery. Is that an inappropriate word for a coffee shop? Whoops. Yet, after going to Northwest Coffee Roasting Company, that’s what comes to mind.

I went to Northwest without any ideas or any expectations. I was told that it was extremely close to SLU’s campus and was worth checking out. Once I arrived, any preconceived notions of what this experience would be immediately flew out the wind.

When you arrive, a large red sign broadcasting “Northwest” greets you. The shop is located at the back of an old lot. As you walk to the front of the store, you are met with Christmas lights and a small walkway. There exists a beautiful brick wall, and a small foyer meant for outdoor seating. There exists a certain atmosphere, which seems conducive to taking photographs and talking about the nuances of our society. [I guess my hipster tendencies appreciated the aesthetics of Northwest.] Also, before entering the store, there is a small gravel courtyard filled with random pieces of lawn furniture and benches. Looking back, I’m not exactly sure as to the exact purpose of this yard to the rest of the establishment, as it came across as random. However, there was a fire pit, so take that, as you will. It was random [at least I think so.]

Let me stress the resounding trait of this experience. Quaint. Even though Northwest may have been a small venue with interesting assets, nothing detracted from my overall experience. I entered the actual store portion and was greeted by a familiar aroma of brewed coffee and roasted beans. I ordered my typical mocha and chatted with my friend Amanda (who introduced me to Northwest) for an extended period of time. I really enjoyed the setting of Northwest. What it seemed to be was a niche coffee shop. This was a coffee shop where people remained loyal. Repeat customers were the source of its business. Northwest is not a place that draws the consumerist coffee drinker. It is a place where individuals spend large amounts of time. There is no typical customer at Northwest. The conglomeration of Northwest’s randomness invites a conglomeration of random customers. [Substitute ‘quaint’ for random.]

And looking back, that is what I enjoyed about Northwest. It was different. It is not your typical coffee experience. You experience what seems like an underground realm of the coffee world. There is no normal hustle and bustle of a coffee shop. Time seems to slow down and people relax, work, and enjoy their coffee. Although Northwest may be outside the box of normal, in reference to coffee shops, the coffee they hand roast, hand brew, and hand serve is quality coffee. The Northwest experience was a quaint one. Yet, I realized that maybe I need more quaintness in my life.