Block five is over, which means spring is officially right around the corner—or just about here, considering it was 70 degrees during Fourth Week. Which guides me perfectly to the coffee shop I went to this week: Story Coffee. Not sure if it was the weather, the fact that I was almost done with my block or something else, but everything about this place passed the vibe test with flying colors. Definitely an early frontrunner and a shop that will be hard to beat down the road in this column. Here are my thoughts.
Location: 9.8/10
Story Coffee is in, I would honestly say, the perfect location for a CC student. The tiny shop (even smaller than last week’s Mathias single-sized shop, Frankly Coffee), is right in the center of Acacia Park, less than a 10-minute walk from campus and surrounded by some of the most classic downtown Colorado Springs lunch options. Especially on a warm day, it’s an ideal cap to an Azada lunch trip. The only asterisk is that you may have to dodge and weave some interesting locals, but other than that, you can’t beat the spot it’s in.
Vibe: 9/10
Like I said, this place is small, but the vibe is big. The two baristas were incredibly friendly, chatting and seeming to know everyone who came in on a first-name basis. There’s also a little window you can use to order to-go coffee, which brings everything together. I’ll acknowledge my bias upfront — I was about to buy a pretty sweet beanie they had and they decided to give it to me for free — but I think that just underlined the vibe here. While the seating options are limited, there’s some space inside and on their patio, perfect for doing homework or chatting with a friend.
Price: 8.5/10
This place was on the cheaper side of coffee shops I’ve been to in the Springs, which probably makes sense considering their upkeep is probably a lot cheaper than other places. Less than $4 for an Americano or cold brew is a solid deal that I’ll take any day. Bonus point for having a vegan scone.
Taste: 7.5/10
The cold brew had me absolutely dialed while writing my essay. I’ve tried their Americano before, and it’s nothing to write home about. Cold brew is the way to go here.
Bottom Line
I’ve walked past this place countless times, and I’m glad I pulled the trigger and finally tried it. Story Coffee has become an instant favorite of mine and one that I’ll definitely be returning to soon. Its proximity to campus and downtown makes it a perfect after-class coffee spot, and it is well worth a trip.