How Coffee Shops Differentiate Themselves From One Another – CoffeeTalk

Coffee shops in Columbia, each with unique origins and atmospheres, work to create communities while setting themselves apart. Drip Coffee, located at 729 Saluda Ave. in Five Points, uses music to establish its atmosphere, with records still sold and walls decorated with classic rock music symbols. The shop provides a chill and authentic atmosphere, allowing employees to dress as they please and play whatever music they want.

Indah Coffee, located at 2238 Sumter St., north of Elmwood Avenue, has a unique background that helps create a different community. Owner Nick Hauser named the shop after the Indonesian word for beauty, and he wanted to cultivate beauty in the products they create and serve in the community they live in. He learned the craft of roasting coffee and brought it back to the United States, where he would do it for his friends and family.

Azalea Coffee, located at 2700 Devine St. near Five Points, uses its femininity to stand out in Columbia. Brittany Koester, who was working as a paralegal when her mother passed away, inspired her to do something passionate about her career. Today, the shop is filled with symbols of Koester’s mother, including a mural of her in the center of the shop and the name “Azalea Coffee” derived from her mother’s favorite flower.

Employees at Azalea Coffee are centered on empowering and supporting women, and they pride themselves on working for a shop operated by women. The shop aims to be a safe space and community for all minorities, as employees often feel safe sharing their lives with others.

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