Bringing Paris to my Hometown Coffee Shop

 

Just like most humans, I enjoy coffee, and just like tons of people my age, I LOVE coffee shops. A coffee shop is almost like a second home; a place where you go to spend hours studying or catching up with friends. We all have our favorite haunts, and for me, that was Sagebrush Café. It was the first coffee shop I ever visited before finding other favorites in other cities. Sagebrush is my coffee home.

I always had it in the back of my mind that I would love to show my photographs at Sagebrush – they’ve been featuring the work of local artists on their walls pretty much since they opened 7 years ago, and I’ve been interested in photography since high school. They’re part of a new culture that has arisen in the Antelope Valley, a refreshing and uplifting change that was much-needed in this sprawling desert suburb. Within the last few years, an art museum and community of local creatives has sprung up. The Antelope Valley is the kind of place that every high school kid wants to escape, to run away from the moment graduation is over. I was one of those kids, but I find myself drawn back not only because of my family who still live there, but also because of establishments like Sagebrush Café.

When they approached me, asking if I’d like to show some of my travel photographs, I immediately said yes.

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Shakespeare & Company Cafe

Shakespeare & Company Now Has a Cafe!

The best thing to ever happen to Paris has happened: Shakespeare & Company, the famous English bookstore that has kept the literary-artistic spirit alive in Paris for 64 years, has opened a coffee shop! I’m only exaggerating a little when I say this is the best thing in Paris right now. Bookstores and coffee shops go together like wine and cheese, or peanut butter and jelly, whichever cultural food reference you prefer. My first thought was – why didn’t they do this sooner?! I visited the brand new cafe as soon as I heard it was opening, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The interior is lined with bookshelves and the rough-around-the-edges décor echoes the interior of the main bookshop perfectly. There’s a collection of fun books and gifts to the right of the main door, and above the glass food case is a menu in Franglais.

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