It’s been a while since I’ve written a new post here on Inthetogocup.com. Some things have change and time has become either shorter or has been allocated to working on my fine arts & paintings. But, my love for coffee and the culture that surrounds it has not gone away.

So to get back into the swing of things, here is a “Free Refill” from earlier this year when the days were shorter and the air was cooler.

8:53 am GLOBEHOPPER COFEEHOUSE & LOUNGE , 2100 East Main Street, rva 23223  globehoppercoffee.com
With the morning rush hour traffic speeding by on a major throughfare east of Shockoe bottom and the new construction directly across the street from the shop, Globehopper seems to keep its cool personality in spite of the chaos outside its walls. The shop itself is basked in colors of earth tone tans, browns and greens, inviting the passerby to come in out of the brisk winter air and have a warm cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Whether you come in thru the window lined front of the store, the side door or the rear door that is hidden by the iron gates that surround the patio, you’ll be greeted with a pleasant “hello” from the barista. You can get your sandwich or homemade pastry from the bar and have a seat at one of the tables, the single church pew along the wall or the lounge chairs and foot stools near the front.

Honestly, I find Globehopper to be that quintessential “laid back” coffee house. While the angry horn blast, the near constant roar of tires and the rumble of big trucks continue to saturate Main Street, you’ll feel like the world is (literally) speeding by outside while you’ve made the concerted effort take the time to slow yourself down and relax, if only for a minute to enjoy your cup.

and with that said, on to the specs…

the place – what’s around?
Because of its close proximity to Shockoe Bottom, there’s a lot of different kind of restaurants only a few blocks  East or West of the shop. there’s also the Poe Museum just west of here on Main Street. There’s also a bunch of other types of businesses that are a short walk away.

parking – parking lot or “fan” like?
Street parking – it looks like mostly all of the parking is unmetered so you can put some change in the tip jar. Pay close attention to the signs, because some of the parking is restricted and you find bus stops close to every corner.

coffee- good, bad or mugly?
It’s not bad, I had a shot of espresso with my cup of coffee by COUNTER CULTURE and my homemade brownie. The sweetness of the brownie keeps me from wanting to fix my coffee up with cream and sugar. My second cup is black, hot, smooth and not free. So if you’re looking for a refill, take some of the change you saved from parking and use $.50 for your refresher.

menu- bunch or linner?
There a host of sandwiches and wraps, plus soups and breakfast items until 11am. Also there’s something called POFFERTJES (pronounced POFF–er–jus), so if you have one feel free to comment on this post as to what it is. ok.

art – rotating or fixture?
Rotating(?)- I’m not sure, but I think it’s rotating…there’s an Ed Trask painting on the purple painted brick wall, but the photos that are hanging on the long wall behind the tables look really similar to the ones I saw last month and the month before that. Either they’re the same or they have a theme going.

music- overbearing or background?
Background- the music is always different here and it you’re not careful you’ll find yourself simultaneously tapping you toes and chair dancing while asking yourself “what am I listening too?” Regardless of what it is, its low enough to have a conversation with the person across the table from you.

baristas- friend or foe?
Friend- they truly seem glad you came in and are ready for small talk and light conversation across the bar. Plus, they’re helpful if you have a question about their coffee or food items.

noticeable regulars – “cheers” or who are these people?
Cheers- I’ve seen folks come in and be addressed by name on numerous occasions. If you’re not a “regular” customer, in Globehopper, it won’t take long for you to become one.

hi-fi – wi-not or wi-bother?
free wi-fi- so buy something while you blog (HA!) or check your business emails and friend’s Facebook post, there’s a lot to choose from on the drink or food menu.

seating & meeting – ample or not enough
ample- there’s about 8 tables. 6 tables for two people and one big table for up to 6 or 7 people. Also the two lounge chairs with accompanying foot stools, a sofa and table combination at the front and the single church pew along the wall. On nicer seasons of the year, when the weather is more friendly to outdoor dinning, there’s the patio outside the rear of the shop that faces a much more calm 21st street.

workspace – second office or read the paper?
second office- there are sockets around the room and near almost every table, so battery power may not may not needed during your visit.

clean or not so much
clean and comfortable, but don’t look for anything especially interesting behind the bar. Storage space is obviously limited, so behind the counter seems strictly utilitarian.

what else?
With all of the businesses that make up Shockoe Bottom, sometimes it can feel like there’s really nothing to do, but walk around and look at the old buildings, day-dream about the potential opportunities behind boarded up storefronts and gaze at the high-water marks from Gaston. But on the corner of Main Street and 21st Street, there’s a quiet place to go and sit, grab a coffee or lunch and relax while the cold world hurries by outside.

Thanx for viewing.

k!