| Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— | |
| I took the one less traveled by, | |
| And that has made all the difference - Robert Frost |
I was in the town of Waxhaw with time to kill and a hankering for a cup of coffee. There were two choices: Starbucks, located in a nearby Target, or Crossroads Coffeehouse, the local java joint downtown.
Starbucks needs no introduction, except the biased comment that their roasting method is to burn otherwise good beans in order to ensure the highest goal of any chain, consistency. You are probably familiar with their clean stores, soothing music and modern decor.
Crossroads, on the other hand, is found in an historic log-cabin. They sell coffee roasted in small batches, cigars from a cabinet humidor and truly delicious, unhealthy desserts (home-made, plastic-wrapped, fried apple pies, gooey brownies, etc.). The tip jar says, "Support Counter Intelligence." They may be playing bluegrass or hard rock music. They do not wear green aprons and the place feels like your grandmothers house; disheveled, worn and dated, but cozy and welcoming.
At Starbucks I see individuals with heads down in a book, or more likely a smart phone or laptop. The last time I sat on the front porch of Crossroads, everyone was smoking and the ash trays were overflowing and the conversation was too. Not a laptop or book in sight. Someone saw my "Harold's Diner" t-shirt (another no-chain joint) and asked me about it. The talk flowed from there. Discussions about Harleys, Pratt and Whitney jet engines (don't ask why, I really don't know), deer hunting, pissing in the woods, irritating people, and the list goes on. Did I mention they have rocking chairs? How can you not love a place with rocking chairs, tobacco smoke and colorful characters? My need for caffeine was satisfied, but more importantly my need for the human touch was too.
I choose the road less traveled and it has made all the difference.
