proprietor of a portuguese pizza parlor

8.07.2014

printed under my dad's senior picture in his high school year book it says: "proprietor of a portuguese pizza parlor". when i asked my dad about it he laughed and explained that his class had been asked to write down "what they wanted to be when they grew up" and he thought it was such a ridiculous question, that he gave a ridiculous {and impressively alliterative} answer. i was slightly disappointed that he didn't actually ever aspire to own a restaurant. but more so, i was relieved that my dad - a super successful business man at the time - had no clue as a kid where he'd end up professionally. it's been fifteen years (!) since i graduated from high school and i'm still chasing after my dream job. it's never too late,  i think. while my current  job fits cozily in with the degree i earned in college, my heart has never really been in it. i refuse to settle for anything less than inspiring, though and coffee inspires me.
i fell in love with coffee right about the same time i fell in love with andy. he taught me to appreciate the taste with out all the milk and sugar i had grown up drinking it with {though i still enjoy a good cappuccino}. the first time i hung out at a coffee shop, i ended up staying for hours. it was comfortable and i felt as relaxed as if i were sitting in my own living room, sipping a latte and reading a book. i watched people come in and out all day, many of them "regulars". it made me happy seeing the interaction between them and the employees. they were like extended family, stopping by for their daily cup. whether they were quickly popping in for "the usual" before heading back to work or coming to spend the afternoon reading like i was doing, there was a sense of community. we were all brought together by the common joy of a simple cup of coffee. it was then that i realized that i wanted to own my own shop one day.
whenever i'm in a new city, i make it a point to visit the local coffee shops to see what they're doing to set themselves apart. it's my "coffee research" but honestly, i'm just looking for a good cup and a cool place to hang out. the little red fox is both coffee shop and market. the owners pride themselves in supporting the local community by selling specialty grocery items in addition to some impressive homemade goods. the space is bright and the service is friendly. seating is limited but everything is very well-curated and beautifully displayed. most importantly, they make a solid pour-over coffee and the lattes are as delicious as they are beautiful.
can you believe these combinations? corn cookie + blueberry? snickerdoodle + cappuccino? geniuses!
we never were asked to give our future jobs for the senior year book when i was in school, but now that i've had time to think about it, i'd write: "connoisseur of carefully crafted coffee". here's to chasing dreams, cheers! 

14 comments:

andrea said...

here, here! and clearly the alliteration gene remains strong. wonder what august will do with it. <3

Ursula said...

You're Dad sounds like a hilarious teenager! I love coffee shops too. I used to work at one throughout university and it was a place where people gathered to share ideas, music and I really loved that we got to know the regulars and built friendships with some of them. It's been almost 10 years since I graduated from school (gulp) and sometimes I have moments where I wish I had done things differently to set myself up for my dream job. But I didn't and at the end of the day, I have to believe that now I'll chase my dream harder because I want it with more passion than I did before. Can't wait to read a post about you opening your coffee shop! I'd love to come visit for delicious decaffeinated drinks :)

Amy S. said...

Totally sounds like something my dad would say! :-)
That coffee shop looks awesome! And I think you totally should open your own, I can see that being perfect for you. Don't hate me, but...I don't enjoy coffee (sacrilegious, I know), but if you can make a mean Chai latte too, I'd come by in a heartbeat! :-)

Sarah said...

Bravo for chasing your dreams! I've always wanted to own a coffee shop of my own as well, though I don't possess a single entrepreneurial bone in my body. So along with the adage that you can "build your own dream or be hired to build someone else's,"
I did work at Starbucks for 5 years, and another coffee shop prior to that, and it's my favorite work I've ever done. I loved getting to know the locals and the regulars, learning their preferences and favorite drinks, and of course the art of carefully crafting good coffee and taking pride in it. =) I can still be somewhat of a coffee snob, haha. And recently, when we found out a new Starbucks was opening in a nearby community that's actually cafe and culture-starved (it's about time to change that!), I looked pleadingly at Eric and said, "Even if we have to hire a babysitter and I use my wages only to pay her and bring nothing home, I think I want to go work there."
I love the company and would go back gladly, but I still love finding all the great local places, too. We have some good ones in Birmingham, my favorite being one where all the drinks are named after cats!

lucinda said...

;) xxx

lucinda said...

that's awesome you wroked at one AND have good memories about it! that's a relief because sometimes ideas sound better in your head than in reality, you know? i don't expect it to be easy-breezy everyday either, but mostly i'm super excited. i can't wait to share the news here one day too! you had better come for a visit! ;)

lucinda said...

hmmm... i'm not gonna hate but i'm still skeptical. juuuust kidding! we'll make chais for you non-coffee afficionados too. :D

gillian claire said...

Such a funny story about your dad! I love your dream to own a coffee shop - coffee shops are such neat places. There is such an art behind them! Love these photos. :)

Petra said...

lovely post. I'm not quite 15 years out of college yet but am also still chasing my dreams. I'm with you. to chasing dreams!!

Heather @ Run Like a G! said...

I think it would be really cool to own a coffee shop! I personally don't like coffee but I love the smell of it!!!!!

Christine Dinsmore said...

this is lovely. owning a coffee shop was one of my dreams at one time too. there is something so wonderful about them. they are a place to gather - writers to write, mother's to take a break, friends to meet, a ritual before work. i love the sense of community. i hope your dream is realized one day, until then it sounds like fun research!

Hannah Smith | fox and willow said...

what a lovely shop! I think Brad dreams about owning a coffee shop as well, we've got a little roaster at home that he uses and now I am so spoiled! what a fun and creative job that would be!

lucinda said...

brad sounds like a cool guy. ;) and how sweet is it that you get your own, freshly roasted coffee {made with love, i'm sure} from your man. xx!

Kif said...

this is great! love the alliteration.

(and wonderful to know where your heart wants to be.)

good luck!

 

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