The Salt Lake Roasting Company

Every time I'm in Salt Lake, I make it a point to stop at the Salt Lake Roasting Company because it is the epitome of what a locally owned shop could be.

Here's the skinny:
The owners travel all over the world in search of the perfect cup of joe and then bring their findings back to stick up on their menu. From third world countries, to renowned coffee meccas. Meaning, if you're into the order-a-cup-of-"specialty"-coffee-but-it-still-tastes-like-all-the-other-available-coffees-on-the-menu type of experience, you might not be keen on the SLRC. BUT, if you are looking for a caffeine experience, this is your place.

I say "experience" because it's a little bit of a crapshoot when you go in. At a place like Starbucks, you know exactly what the coffee's going to taste like. Here, you choose from a menu that's not neccessarily the most user-friendly thing (this is my favorite thing about local stores...they don't quite have it all figured out the way chains do. and it's wonderful). Feel free to ask the staff questions, but I have heard them say "I don't know" more than is comforting... So, you kind-of choose blindly. Which is fun. If you're not afraid to end up with a cup of coffee that's so strong it stains the cup (and your teeth) black immediately. I mean, with a slogan like "coffee without compromise," you're kind-of sacrificing yourself to the bean gods when you go in.

And now, the atmosphere:
My next favorite thing about locally owned stores is that they don't have much conformity. The dishes don't match, the chairs and tables don't match, the food menu's written on a blackboard that could change at the drop of a hat (p.s. you don't go to the SLRC for food. Just a heads-up. Eat beforehand. Or bring a granola bar). The building is incredible. An old warehouse type of place with a great main level, an awesome staircase right in the middle that every girl wishes she had in her house during high school when she walked downstairs in her prom dress to make her dates knees buckle, and the perfect amount of loft space above. I'd bet money that anyone who has ever walked in there for the first (or hundreth) time has thought, "wow, I've never wanted to be a writer before, but suddenly I have this urge to start a novel just so I can come in here every morning, nest up, and let this java aura help me create a masterpiece." That's the type of atmosphere it is.

And finally, the people:
I don't get the impression that the SLRC is meant for large social gatherings... I might be wrong. I've noticed it more as a place where the SLC introverts can all get together to be alone. So, if you're looking for a place to cozy up to your neighbor, you might want to skip this one. But, if you're looking for a place to write that masterpiece, you might want to take a few writing classes first, but then maybe try your luck at the SLRC.