The leaves have now changed color from their uniform green into a vast array of yellows, oranges, reds and browns. We all know this means that brisk weather is on the way. Although the warmth of the sun may be nearing its six-month pause, the cozy vibes of local coffee shops are back in season! There are quite a few in and around Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and Niles. Coffee shops are great places to sit back and hang out (either with your friends or by yourself) with a warm drink and mayhaps a little sweet treat, especially if you’re needing a change of scenery for school or work. If nothing else, it’s always nice to support small and local businesses! Here are a few nearby places to try out if you’re ever needing to get into the fall spirit:
This coffee shop, a favorite among students, is located in Niles. Not only does 2nd & Main have amazing coffee and other drinks (such as matcha if one isn’t a coffee person), but they also have a good selection of food items like flatbreads, acai bowls and toast. It would be entirely unfair of me not to recommend their caprese toast, as it is one of my favorite things on this planet. With the toasted sourdough bread, fresh basil, tomatoes, mozzarella and the combination of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, it will make your tastebuds do a little happy dance.
Vivienne Lupu (senior, social work) says, “They have so much versatility. One of the things that they do that I think is unique to them is coffee flights. It allows for the customer to try different flavors that they offer simultaneously, especially when they come out with their seasonal drinks. My personal favorite for the fall right now is their maple shaken espresso.”
The one downside about this spot being a favorite for many is how busy it can get, occasionally making for a rough study session.
Second on the list is Union (my personal favorite), which is in Buchanan. Not only is this yet another cute little coffee house with chalk signs for the menu and delightful specialty drinks from season to season, but they also have fantastic bagels! Their food menu contains intriguing options, such as a turkey gouda bagel with raspberry mayo, and their incredible seasonal menu includes an apple gouda panini. Glendora Bookshop, which is fairly new, is directly across the street if you feel like wandering around, looking at books and sipping a hot—or iced—beverage. Definite main character vibes.
(downtown St. Joseph, MI)
Caffe Tosi is conveniently nestled right on the edge of downtown St. Joseph, with a short walk away. Step into the coffee shop and immediately become enveloped in its warm essence and cheery decor before walking up to the counter to place your order. While 2nd & Main and Union have the contemporary coffee shop aesthetic, Caffe Tosi looks like it was plucked directly off of a quiet corner somewhere in Italy and set down in Southwest Michigan. The floor is hardwood that creaks when a customer walks across it and the seating is meant to be intimate, the majority of it being a table and two chairs. It gives off the impression that the space isn’t only meant for the drinks the cafe offers but also for good conversation. Caffe Tosi has a generally small space, which can be slightly difficult to maneuver when it gets busy during peak hours, but is otherwise nice to sit in and enjoy a beverage and pastry.
Although I’ve only listed three, there are many more places around campus to visit. Here are some other coffee shops to meander into around the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area:
Since it’s the season for all things warm and cozy, why not try a local cafe as a little reward for all the stress of studying for midterms? Happy Fall!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.