On two threatening but thankfully dry December days, we biked to Seven Corners on SE Division to visit this relatively new outlet for Brazilian and other exotic coffees.  Nossa Familia began its Portland presence some 15 years ago; interestingly the owner is a member of a Brazilian family who’ve grown and sold coffee beans from their lands since the 1890s.  Here their first activities were the roasting and selling of beans, they’ve now opened a couple of shops around the City, and pride themselves on their farm-direct model, plus an environmental record of being carbon neutral and generating no waste.

Their division outlet is in a newly constructed building, and thus has the benefit of looking sharp and spiffy, and also the challenge of making it feel homey.  Thus, though there is great natural light through the east-side windows, the narrowness of the site requires the tables/chairs to be lined in a row against the windows but this straight row has a bit of an institutional feel.    It does have a small nook that’s away from the window where there is a bench and some knick-knacks, and the extended family we saw gathered there one of the mornings appeared cozy and comfortable with their surroundings.

Discussion topics the first Sunday centered on high school reunions.  Though DM was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin he was raised in Ojai, CA and enjoyed attending both his 25th and 50th reunions; DS meanwhile, was raised in Stevens Point (small world,) and also attended both of his 25th and 50th reunions.  They were both glad to have attended for the usual reasons of people now being less-cliquey.  H was raised in Mass. and hasn’t attended any reunions for fear of restarting old insecurities, but just might give it a try for his 55th, we’ll see.

On the 2nd visit C and K just came back from visiting children and grandchildren in Port Townsend and the N. Cascades.  Both of these families lead unconventional lives, so they were very pleased how each stable each family seemed at this point in time.

2007 SE Division                                                          http://www.nossacoffee.com