With Azusa Pacific students in the final stretch before finals, late-night studying and weekend paper writing are becoming all the rage. What better place to get these daunting tasks done than a coffee shop – and one that isn’t Starbucks?
According to students around campus, a few popular places stand out as good spots to get homework done and a caffeine fix all in one. Most of them are within a 15-mile radius and perfect for an afternoon getaway or a change of scenery.
So if you are up for a new brew or a different study location, these might be the ones for you.
Coffee Klatch
Coffee Klatch is located about 10 minutes away from campus, off the 57 Freeway. It is a perfect spot for a fresh and delicious cup of coffee. Some best-loved treats at this location include the regular coffee, lattes and freshly made sandwiches, salads and pastries. Try the Honey Bee Latte for a sweet tooth fix!
“We see a lot of APU students here,” Klatch barista Christina Tao said. “The atmosphere is important, and I think they enjoy it for that reason.”
Classic Coffee
Located just about five minutes off Foothill Boulevard in Glendora, it is nestled in downtown. The popular drinks here are the frozen hot chocolate, spiced chai and the Ghirardelli caramel latte.
“It’s a nice getaway from APU,” Erin Fisher, a liberal studies major said. “It’s fun to see family and kids here, and it’s not the library.”
According to Taylor Vincent, one of the baristas at Classic Coffee, the coffee shop is family-oriented.
“The owner encourages us to pursue our education and to thrive in what we do,” Vincent said.
Coffee Bean Tea & Leaf
With two locations in Monrovia right off of the 57 Freeway, it is a perfect place to spend a few hours and study. The regular coffee with vanilla is perfect for a college student budget at around $2.75. It tastes just as good as the other options, so it shouldn’t disappoint.
Sitting in Coffee Bean off Myrtle Avenue reading for class, Thomas Lai, a junior business marketing major, explained his reasoning to study at coffee shops.
“I like going to coffee shops for the busy environment, refreshments and the change in scenery,” Lai said. “It is a different study environment, and it isn’t a house or the library.”
With the change in scenery, it is a nice place to sit outside in the Southern California weather and read or even just take a study break and hang out with friends.
Another perk of this area: cute, fun places to have lunch or walk around downtown Monrovia.
Bean Town
Located in Sierra Madre off Baldwin Avenue is Bean Town. This is another good place to hang out, do homework and meet creative people.
Artists, writers and others come here and are always open to discuss their talents with students. It is a coffee shop that may not be the most recognized, but it is a hidden gem.
Bean Town is a go-to for Lai.
“I don’t normally do homework at Bean Town, but it is a great place to hang out with friends,” Lai said.
While there may be more coffee shops that students go to, these few places are close to campus and easily accessible so that students can enjoy some good coffee and get away from APU for a bit and enjoy the peaceful escape.