Independent Coffee on Center Street

In line at Trader Joe's the other day, Your Boulevardier spotted a woman wearing a sweatshirt reading "Coffee Cup Cafe, Castro Valley, California." Having never heard of the establishment, he inquired and learned that it is an independent coffee place at the corner of Center Street and Heyer Avenue. Last Friday he decided to check it out.

It's a cozy, friendly place with an amiable, chatty staff. The coffee is from Peerless -- perhaps not a gourmet roaster, but perfectly acceptable to Your Boulevardier. (He partakes only of brewed coffee, so he cannot comment on the quality of more complicated coffee drinks.) Most of the baked goods are prepared on site each morning; Your Boulevardier had a small, delicate chocolate croissant. The place also has a light lunch menu.

The comings and goings were observed for an hour or so. An ebbing stream of what appeared to be regulars mostly purchased beverages for takeout, though a few folks settled in at the dozen or so small tables. (A few outdoor tables were also available for warmer days.) A TV tuned to a morning news program played in one corner; promptly at 9:00 a.m. the television was switched off and soft jazz music was played. A batch of toys in another corner attracted youngsters, and a few shelves of books -- for borrowing and reading, it is assumed -- sat by the register.

The site is close to three schools -- Creekside and Canyon Middle Schools and Vannoy Elementary -- so the neighborhood traffic in the area is considerable. The proprietor of the shop said she had experienced some problems with school kids and now limits them in the shop to three at a time. The proprietor also shared that the shop had been in business for four years, but had lost some momentum when the exterior of the building was remodeled. Both interior and exterior are quite charming now.

Your Boulevardier will be sure to stop in again when his walks take him to this corner of town.