By Amy L. Hatch
I can admit it–I’m a coffee snob.
No canned coffee from the grocery store for me–I’m willing to shell out some bucks for a wonderful-tasting and smelling bean. And I drink a lot of coffee. Just ask Laura, who will tell you that 99 percent of my Facebook status updates involve caffeine or my lack thereof.
I’ve driven past the Columbia Street Roastery about 100 times, on way to the mall or Escobar’s. I’ve always made a note of it but never had a chance to stop in, until this week when I was looking for a gift to give a fellow coffee addict…er…lover.
First of all, this shop smells FANTASTIC. Even if you don’t go for a cuppa joe, you have to admit that nothing smells better than a freshly roasted coffee bean.
A chalk board lists all the flavors and types of coffee available that day and the lovely, helpful woman behind the counter let me know that they will sell you the beans whole but are just as happy to grind them for you.
They even offer a grind just for one-cup coffeemakers like the Keurig. You can purchase a special little cup that lets you use your own grounds (Columbia Street Roastery does not sell this item).
I bought a pound of Black Velvet Blend beans, which were described to me as similar to a French roast without the bitterness. I also got a pound for my friend, as well as a mug with the shop’s logo and a special canister for storing the beans and keeping them fresh.
The Columbia Street Roastery roasts all of its beans onsite, and also offers a plentiful selection of teas. As well as being a place to buy fantastic tea and coffee, the shop donates 5 percent of its profits back into the Champaign-Urbana community!
The Columbia Street Roastery also offers tours of its facility and, once a month on Saturdays, they’ll give you a tour, show you the climate in which their beans were grown and offer you a sample cup of their delicious java at their “Cuppings” events.
Don’t miss out on this local gem! Stop by soon and tell them Chambanamoms sent you.