Two weeks ago we visited the brand new Queue Coffee at 21st/Quimby in the Slabtown development of the former Consolidated Freightways site; today our destination is one block away at 21st/Raleigh, essentially in the new Eldon James building in sight of the Queue.

Visually the shop has lots of windows looking bringing in light from outside and the interior of the building.  Its lines are clean and full of plants, and the counter looks like it was put together by craftspeople.  But the only seats in the shop are stools and the music is blaring, two challenges for patrons wanting to connect with each other on a deeper level for 45 minutes or more.  We typically stay at shops for 45-60 minutes so chose to go out of the tables in the the lobby to talk.

Discussion-wise M told us how J and he – who are moving from their home of 34 years – are taking apart their raised beds and moving the soil and borders to their new home, motivated by all their years they’ve spent making the dirt productive.  G then shared how he’s been involved with a couple of different Shimbala (Buddhist) Centers for more than 45 years, and the current disclosures of sexual harassment by its leaders undercuts a lot of the positives he’s received over these decades;  we then wondered why powerful men give way to abusive behavior whether it occur in religion, Hollywood, athletics or politics.   H reported that an acquaintance of his has started a similar biking to coffee shops routine and blog for their Thursday outings.   Leaving the shop and being in the midst of two new blocks of development without seeing any real greenspace, seemed a bit surreal. 

2175 NW Raleigh                                                http://www.goodforus.com