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Few things do a body better than a hot cup of coffee or tea
after a winter’s day of braving the frigid slopes or fighting
brisk High Country wind gusts.
Fortunately, Boone and Blowing Rock offer several venues to put some
liquid warmth back into your frosty toes. Whether you prefer the bohemian
atmosphere of a downtown coffeehouse or a more modern, shopping-center
experience, a myriad of beverage brokers are sprinkled across the
mountains. In addition to offering the best from the bean and leaf,
many shops also feature periodic live music so “check local listings”
beforehand. Here’s some of the more well-known caffeine refueling
stations.
Boone
Black Bear Books
Although Black Bear Books is more a bookstore than café’,
it’s homey, coffeehouse atmosphere makes it well worth a stop.
Originally opened as The Book Warehouse, Black Bear offers thousands
of volumes (many at decent discounts) and a passable array of coffees
and teas. The alpine-style sitting area includes some cozy amenities
like a fireplace, a comfy sofa, free wireless Internet and a fireplace.
The store often features book signings by local and regional authors.
News hounds can keep up to date with the New York Times and other
metropolitan newspapers.
Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Location: 2146 Blowing Rock Road, Boone
Contact: (828) 264-4636
Conrad’s Coffee
Conrad Poe keeps his growing coffee business in the family.
Poe, owner of Conrad’s Coffee Company, recently added a second
store to his already thriving operation.
Conrad’s is one of the few coffeehouses in the to roast its own
beans. According to writer Frank Ruggiero, Conrad’s “German-crafted
roaster heats beans up to 550 degrees, and can roast 30 pounds of
beans at one time…Conrad’s Coffee roasts several hundred
pounds of coffee per day, which is promptly packaged, placed in a
bin and top-loaded to ensure freshness.”
His new store at Highland Commons shopping center in Boone boasts
“the largest selection of organic coffees” in the High Country,
according to Poe.
Coffee lovers can also purchase a variety of mugs, teapots and other
accessories.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, closed.
Locations: 240 Shadowline Drive, Boone; 2575 N.C. 105 South in the
Highland Commons, Boone.
Contact: (828) 265-0079 (Shadowline) (828) 265-2222 (Highland Commons).
Crossroads Coffee House
“Black as hell, strong as death, sweet as love.” As intimidating
as its Web site motto may sound, the Crossroads Coffee House on the
Appalachian State University campus is quite sedate. “Located
downstairs in the Plemmons Student Union, Crossroads is a cavernous
coffee shop, with several couches providing a laid-back atmosphere.
Being a campus hangout, Crossroads hosts several musical events such
as (quoting from its Web site) acoustic guitar night, jazz night and
open mic night.”
Crossroads features shade-grown coffees (Sanctuary CoffeesSM). “Sanctuary
sources only arabica beans grown on shade-tree coffee plantations
along the migratory flight path from North America to South America,”
states the Crossroads Web site.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m. -
6 p.m.; Saturday, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Plemmons Student Union, Boone.
Contact: (828) 263-9555
On the Web: crossroads.appstate.edu
Espresso News
Since 1994, Espresso News has carved out a unique niche in downtown
Boone. Although not located on the main thoroughfare of King Street
but on the parallel Howard Street in downtown Boone, the coffeehouse
— located in a former tractor dealership — has
nevertheless drawn a huge buzz that comes from its exacting attention
to quality coffee, espresso, lattes and tea as well as an inviting,
bohemian atmosphere.
A recent New York Times article described Espresso News as offering
“the best fresh-roasted coffee you’ll ever taste.”
Upstairs, bibliophiles can check out Mosaic Books, which offers, according
to its Web site, “a superb collection of literary goodness for
your perusal and purchase.”
Downstairs, coffee lovers can savor the on-site roasted goodness while
checking out the shop’s huge and diverse magazine display, featuring
everything from Mother Earth News to esoteric journals of tai chi
and qi gong fitness. Oh, and serious coffee buffs can bring their
own cup for a discount.
Net nuts can keep on surfing with free wireless service as well as
limited use of a wired iMac.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30a.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday, 8
a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: 267 Howard Street, Boone.
Contact: (828) 264-8850
On the Web: www.espressonews.com
Grateful Grounds
What do you get when you cross some serious “Dead-Headedness”
with thousands of beads and coffee beans — Grateful Grounds.
Nestled in The Bead Box in downtown Boone, the new coffee shop is
the brainchild of Allison and Ray Verling, two dedicated fans of the
Grateful Dead who decided to combine a shrine to the band interwoven
with a coffee experience. While Grateful Grounds is not a sit-down
shop, it’s a much-needed pit stop that can refresh any downtown
sightseeing trip.
Allison has created new coffee drinks named after some of her favorite
Dead songs, such as “Casey Jones,” “Scarlet Begonia,”
“Brown Eyed Woman,” “Sugaree,” and “Lost
Sailor.” The shop has a “Terrapin Special” featuring
espresso, steamed milk, Ghiradelli cocoa and hazelnut.
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. -8
p.m.; Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.
Location: 641 W. King Street, King Street Mini-Mall Boone.
Contact: (828) 265-2315
Higher Grounds
On the east side of Boone, shoppers are often surprised to find a
coffeehouse atmosphere in a mega-shopping center but transplanted
Californians Matt and Gloria Scott have achieved just that at High
Grounds. Located in the New Market shopping center, High Grounds is
one of the newest kids on the regional coffee block.
The Scotts offer more than 40 varieties of whole-bean java by the
cup or by the pound — with plenty of varieties of decaffeinated
and organic blends. Within a 24-hour cycle, the shop receives coffee
from a supplier in Charlotte, which takes their order, roasts it and
rushes it up the mountain.
High Grounds takes ambience to a higher level with tasteful table
and couch configurations that remind one of an evening visit to a
fine home. Matt has even crafted some of the tables, which sit in
front of a full-sized fireplace.
Don’t leave without trying their amazing mini-cinnamon rolls
and crumble cakes as well as sticky buns from Johnson’s Bakery
in nearby Foscoe. Open mic night on Thursdays showcases a variety
of local talent. High Grounds also offers free wireless Internet service.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.- 10 p.m.;
Friday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: 201 New Market Center, Boone
Contact: (828) 265-1114
Blowing Rock
Chickory Suite Coffee of Blowing Rock
Nestled in Skyland Books is one of the best kept secrets in Blowing
Rock. Chickory Suite delivers a wide array of gourmet coffee by the
cup and pound and will ship anywhere in the United States. Die-hard
bean addicts can even join the Preferred Customer Coffee Club and
receive discounts on your next coffee purchase.
Hours: Varies, call before visiting (generally 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Location: 1116 Main Street, Blowing Rock
Contact: (828) 295-4231
The Black Dog Internet Cafe
Formerly known as The Loft, the Black Dog offers gourmet coffees,
baked goods, smoothies and free wireless Internet access.
Location: Located upstairs in Footsloggers in downtown Blowing Rock
(921 Main Street)
Contact: (toll-free) (866) 834-6330; (828) 295-8360.
The Final Drip
Any report about local coffee availability would soon fill several
pages. Several local restaurants also feature a coffee kiosk and all
the above-mentioned shops offer a variety of other beverages. It’s
best to check with the individual stores since hours and products
do change.
Frank Ruggiero and Scott Nicholson contributed to this report.
Story by Jason Reagan
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