Boulder Coffee Shops blog

Ok, most sanctimonious Boulderites already feel that title like Born Agains feel the Presence. But allow me to add some color.  We very highly doubt that any city in this country has the coffee shop density (defined as: # of shops per resident? // # of coffee shop chairs per resident? // saturation density of wireless radio energy per square mile? // whatever you choose, doesn’t matter) that has Boulder.  Consider that for a town of roughly 100,000 people, there are over 30 — perhaps more than 40 — unique coffee shop companies, most independent, and many more actual shops (probably close to ~100) when you consider that many companies own multiple shops.  Consider further that there are at least 5 different independent roasters in town, and likely more we don’t know about.  Roughly one coffee shop for every 100 residents, and an independent blog dedicated solely to talking about those shops?  Does that exist anywhere else?  Doubtful.  Personally I’ve lived in four other college towns and their coffee shops scenes don’t even come close.

The interest in coffee and the competition to produce awesome results spills over, beyond the immediate borders of Boulder, and that’s why you’re lucky you live here.  Because in an environment like this, places like The Curious Cup are born.  The Curious Cup is on the corner of 95th and Arapahoe, just beyond the “official” city limits of Boulder and into Lafayette.  Ozo was (ok, still is) the best “eastern outpost” shop in Boulder, but Curious Cup, while not supplanting Ozo’s quality, has supplanted Ozo’s status as “quality of shop as a function of eastern milage from city center.”

The Curious Cup would be killing it anywhere closer to Boulder’s core.  That it is doing well despite its outpost location at 95th and Arapahoe (people do live out here, of course, but population density is far, far lower than in Boulder’s core) is a function of — I think — three main factors:

1. The shop is laid out well.  It is open and airy with perfect views out the south windows (all grass and trees in an expansive park — in any other shop in Boulder you’re looking at a wall or a parking lot). Ample seating for relaxers and laptop workers alike, including outdoor seating on the park.
2. A kiddie play area that draws in the stroller set.  Normally that would probably be a problem, but the layout has the “work area” on the south side of the shop, the kiddie area on the north wall, and the barista area in between the two.  A good 40 or 50 feet separates the two areas, and it turns out to be enough.
3. High quality coffee and pastries.  Coffee roasted by The Unseen Bean (which we haven’t reviewed yet, but it has appeared in the comments on a few posts).  On this front I’d give the coffee a “passing grade” by Boulder standards.  Not knock-your-socks-off, but well within the Boulder norm, which is high quality by default. I had one strong cappuccino (“strong” is my tag — not dry, but very little milk) and the coffee flavor was robust if not a tad burnt, but also not sour.  As a one-off, below Ozo, Cup or Goat standards, but above Folsom St., Brewing Market, etc.  Subsequent visits (and there will be many) will give the true indication.  They serve Morning Fresh Dairy in the coffee, also used by a few Boulder shops.

Who should come out here?  Everybody.  Who will?  Hopefully more than just the locals.