Allison Thompson | Contributing Writer

On a recent trip to Portland, being the coffee shop enthusiast that I am, I became determined to stop by the treasured staple of the northwest: Stumptown Coffee Roasters. With five locations in its birthplace of Portland, Stumptown is respected for its dedication to brewing high-quality coffee from diverse regions and roasting its beans locally.

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Upon stepping foot into the tiled, classic brick building in downtown Portland, I became excited for the coffee I was about to indulge in. Surprisingly, the shop was not entirely busy for a rainy Saturday morning.

It provided plenty of seating in the vintage building that featured original tattered brick walls, sleek concrete floors and wood countertops. It was a mix of the new and the old, with contemporary lighting throughout and modernistic tables and chairs. Handmade quilts also adorned the walls of the shop, which was a unique feature.

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The barista smiled and asked me for my order. While given a wide variety of coffee blends to choose from, as well as a few espresso-based options, I played it safe with my go-to: a vanilla latte. My friend decided to order a mocha.

The espresso was delightful and the vanilla tasted notably better than the artificial, low-quality syrup of other shops. The mocha was unique in that it included a semi-sweet chocolate, which is quite a different taste than ultra-sweet milk and dark chocolate syrups.

Both satisfied with our drinks, we took a few minutes to soak in the atmosphere of Stumptown. Although it was comparable with a few of the shops I’ve visited in Los Angeles, the baristas and customers were notably more friendly and interactive than those of California. In the end, the people make all the difference.

Great coffee, friendly baristas and a vintage, yet modern, atmosphere combine to create a much-need warm experience for residents of rainy Portland and visitors alike.