View from the Brown & Jenkins Coffee Shop (Visitor Blog Entry)

As a visitor to Brown & Jenkins Coffee Roasters on Scenic Route 15 in Cambridge, Vermont, I initially walk in the door to take advantage of the Internet connection and a good cup of gourmet coffee.

The interior is a combination of a functioning coffee roaster with shelves of whole beans in bins running along the center, and packaged bags of whole beans in another section. To my left, four tables are arranged near the coffee-for-a-dollar table with views of the Boyden Valley Winery and Boyden Farm.

It's a casual atmosphere and visitors toss a dollar into the jar, or make their own change for a cup of coffee. There is a dark roasted Black Ice, a medium North Country blend (love it!) and a light roasted Guatamalan Antigua, in addition to a flavored coffee, decaf and water for tea.

What impresses me most as I sit here is the collection of locals and tourists that wander in and out:

• A man on his way to work stops by for his daily cup of coffee.
• A couple from Ontario (who are staying at Smugg's) settle in to use the Wi-fi connection, and to chat with the owner (Sandy Riggen) about their vacation plans.
• The local owner of Suzanne's B&B comes by to discuss business of some nature with Sandy.

Of course, the smell of coffee beans surrounds me constantly as I enjoy the break from my daily work at home environment over in Waterville. Maybe I'll pickup a jar of local honey from Fairfax, or Applesauce from Claire's in Alburgh on my way out. This is the local coffee shop that fosters that long ago feeling of community in this rural piece of Vermont.

Note from Sandy- Thanks to our guest blogger!
Until our next cup,
Sandy Riggen