Aspen crick
Staff Writer
It’s that time of the year again. Time to fall in love with nice things: from pumpkin spice and cinnamon to hiding in local cafés as you’re soaking in the autumn weather. Before you hit play on “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood, consider going to a café near Dawson rather than doing your typical Starbucks run. While adjusting to the aesthetic yet the chilly month of October, pull on your flannel for gay vibes, your Doc Martens to add to the look, and go get your daily dose of caffeine.
If you’re looking for a place to grab a coffee to go, super close to Dawson as it’s a 5-minute walk, Shaughnessy Café is my recommendation. From tasty pastries and excellent coffee to great service, they’ve got you covered. Not to mention the cozy atmosphere and excellent music selection. It is also a good spot for “dining-in”; however, good luck finding a place to sit during their rush hour.
“Students are back, and it brings a great vibe to the neighborhood,” said François Letendre-Joachim, owner of the nearby Shaughnessy Café, during an email Q & A.
Closer to Concordia but only about a 15-minute walk away, Myriade Café and Java U are both viable options. Disclaimer, they are franchises, but they are also within Montréal with one or two stores that aren’t. I think it’s important to note that both options, located on Mackay Street and Rue Guy, are LGBTQIA+ friendly.
Small businesses and cafés have suffered during the pandemic, so why not give them a hand while getting some kickass coffee? Even though sometimes going to a local coffee shop is pricier, the quality can be better. If you’re lucky, you might even get to know the cool staff working at said café!
I asked the owner of Shaughnessy Café: “What is something you find special about Shaughnessy Café and other local coffee shops?” Letendre-Joachim answered, “There’s this consistency in brewing great espresso and [filtering], which seems like a rare thing to come by these days.”
Besides offering great coffee, local coffee shops can be great spaces for creative work or same-old studying. Sometimes the typical study spots like the school library are not ideal. I personally prefer some background noise when doing my work. The cozy atmosphere and bustling environment of a coffee shop bring a sense of community and comfort. I can chat with the person making my drink. Then, they become an acquaintance of a sort when leaving the café. I recently went to Java U. It was a good experience; it was not too crowded, with music to vibe to and really nice employees. Although, I won’t tell you when I stop by, or it’ll always be crowded.
Seeing that others are enjoying simple pleasures such as getting their caffeine levels rightly balanced reminds me that a coffee break is better than no break. Students have little time to rest and pause, so why not sit down with a friend and enjoy quality time?
Overall, I hope your spooky season goes well, and you find your new favorite cup of Joe at a local café.