Join me in the Village of Soy Decaf Lattes

Seattle is well-known as the home of Starbucks. The headquarters rests just off of Route 99 (also known as the Alaskan Viaduct) in the southern part of the city. It was started in Seattle and spread, rather slowly at first, to the point it is today. The two founders started out at Peet's Coffee shop and learned everything from this legendary roastmaster. The rest is history.

When in Seattle, there are many, many Starbucks. Seattle has this thing for caffeine. It's a part of the culture, the local vibe. I was drawn partly to Seattle over the years by the allure of sitting in a coffee shop, reading a book, writing a letter, typing a blog, having a chat, that who community sense. (Call me a romantic - but not too romantic because I am well aware of what this coffee addiction has done to other communities worldwide.) However, Starbucks is not alone - there are other kings and queens of coffee in this small-fishing-village-full-with-a-history-of-gold-prospecting-capitalists-and-whores like Tully's and Seattles Best. Not to mention the HUNDREDS of smaller coffee shops like Verite/Cupcake Royale and Cafe Ladro where they offer unique atmospheres and free wi-fi or cupcakes (yum). There are even a hundred more free standing espresso stands in the parking lot of the post office, plant nurseries, taco restaurant, gas station, everywhere. And somehow they mostly manage to stay in business.

The beautiful thing about all of these coffee shops is that they are always selling local artists' works on their walls. Kelly, who works in the same office as myself has sold 20 paintings just since January because they've been hanging in coffee shops or restaurants - which is another very independent group. There are more mom-and-pop restaurants, music stores, yarn shops, boutique clothing stores, nitch shops, salons, and art boutiques than in any other city I've seen. (Part of this has to do with the fact that the county has an pretty aggressive growth management plan and there just isn't room for big box stores). All of these independent shops sell artists works. It's pretty incredible. It's a very positive place to be - especially if you like your soy decaf latte or if, like me, you've become a fan of the simple Americano.