Coffee shops are one of my favorite places to dwell. I will spend hours and hours slowly sipping a $2 cup of coffee and tasting each phase of the cooling process. From burn my mouth hot to warming than any creamer that’s been on the counter for a QUASA (Starbucks ref) amount of time. Anyways.
At Home in the Coffee Crowd
I love when coffee shops have pictures of authors on the wall. When it reminds me of school, but there isn’t the stress of finals. I think of all places -even moreso than church – it’s where I feel totally at home among strangers. It’s something about the art oozing out of the rafters and the rich smell of ground beans.
So, leaving my collection of coffee shops in Orlando, I have begun scoping out the scene here in Jacksonville. The first time I went to the beach I noticed we passed by Bold Bean Coffee. Now sure, I might’ve partially been harkening back to the thought of the Bold City Brewery, but I did take note of this place. But it just so happened that for my first few months at the beach it was always time for a meal at the beach or a beer. I hadn’t made it to the beach in the morning, and so alas, I didn’t stop at Bold Bean.
To Live by 5 Points?
Then I passed the Riverside Bold Bean Coffee Roaster location when I was looking at apartments. I imagined myself living a few streets over from the coffee shop in brick home with an antebellum porch. I thought about how I’d make a quaint old place cute and homey. But then I drove a few streets over and felt not so cozy. That, factored with the commute to work down 95 and I chose to live in an entirely different neighborhood – so the mystery of living the boho Riverside life and trying the coffee shop remained.
Until this last weekend, when I was invited to coffee. My friend didn’t describe a Starbucks preference. Dunkin Donuts was out of the question, and it was a Saturday night so a little atmosphere was preferred. I headed out to Bold Bean.
Brick Walls and Square Two Tops
First, thing I noticed was parking was super easy. Not parallel and not beach madness. Then, I walked in and realized it was much bigger inside than I expected. There was a spacious cafe area with two-top tables and a brick interior. My friend was waiting with, well not a coffee. Apparently they serve beers at this coffee shop, which can be convenient if you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for.
However, I wanted coffee. I usually get a small cup of brewed coffee the first time I try out a new cafe. However, it was later and I was sleepy from being in the sun all day so I wanted caffeine to go straight to my veins. I ordered an iced coffee. Tossed some cream and sugar, and boom I was awake, alert and ready for Riverside.
The place was tame for a Saturday. I spotted chess goers, board games and some couples paired off throughout the room. I heard discussions about postcolonialism and watched people deeply immersed in their strategy games. I liked the spot. I wish I lived closer. Now I didn’t notice any food out, which is a major cafe disappointment. I like camping out and eventually need sustenance. Also baked goods make me happy. Next time you are in Riverside, visit for an hour or four.