There is a special place in my heart for coffee shops in general. You see, I am an artist and coffee shops are where I go to feel the buzz. In any given coffee shop there is palpable energy flowing from every fingertip that rattles a keyboard, every meaningful long-distance stare to the ceiling depicting a momentary lapse of “what to say” and every connection being made by people waiting for their favorite beverage.
I am also well versed in the art of locating the best spots to promote creativity. Much like Goldilocks (mind you I am bald), I tried out many local establishments to find the right fit. This one is tooooo cold, this one’s Internet is toooo slow, but this is one is just right!
The one that became the best fit for me was Peet’s Coffee in Alamo.
We had just started our long dreamt about company that specializes in social media management. I was/am the creative henchman that scoured the internet and custom created content to blast out on our clients’ Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and Instagram profiles. At the time, I was posted up in a different shop across town but quickly deduced that they were intentionally freezing me out as soon as I stopped buying refills. There could have been some conspiracy theory here, as I did not have the physical proof, but my caffeine limit was directly proportional to their AC system. It was time to move.
At first I was apprehensive about going to Peet’s simply because my one sister-in-law was the manager there forever and had recently handed the reins over to my other sister-in-law (shout out to Shannon and Chloe…you’re the best!). Then my senses returned and I knew that having family there would probably negate any passive aggressive tactics being brought against me. So I took my laptop and headed over.
It took me a while to find the right table. I didn’t get anything done when I worked next to this one lady because we talked all the time and this table was too close to the front door. Finally I found the back table (where I am right this minute out of nostalgia). From this big table I made Peet’s my office. I met wonderful people…ALL OF THEM, and enjoyed the speed of their public Internet. I discovered the array of healthy and wonderful snacks they provided like the Vegan Scones, Lentil Salad and my go-to lunch, the Cheese and Fruit Box. I was welcomed everyday by the same smiling faces that were genuinely happy to see me, where they asked about my family and said things like, “Say hello to Kristen for us.” Seasonal beverages that toppled my previous understanding of “coffee” sucked me in and held me captive. I wrote some of my most poignant prose and created some of my proudest graphics. This became my home away from home and I was excited to get there everyday.
Today, I often work from home, but every now and then I need to log off and push my laptop aside to go down the street, see good old friends and have a Cheese and Fruit Box.
Alamo Plaza Shopping Center
215 Alamo Plaza
(925) 791-6163
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