Back in the fall of 1999 through the early summer of 2000, I worked at a Starbucks Café in a local Barnes and Noble bookstore. I had originally applied at BN because I loved books, and thought working in a bookstore would be an awesome job. Sadly, they weren’t hiring on the “book side” of the store, but they were looking for new employees in the café. I knew it wouldn’t be as great as working with books, but I would still get a discount, so I took the job. I guess it’s important to note at this point that I don’t like coffee. Not at all. Ugh, can’t stand the taste (though I do like the smell). But here I was, a barista at a Starbucks café.

For those of you who don’t drink espresso, or haven’t heard the culture surrounding it, well…let’s just say espresso drinkers are very particular about their espresso shots. The shots should be done between 18 and 22 secs, with 20 secs producing the best results. Some people request a weaker shot - 17 sec or less - while others want a stronger shot - 23 secs or greater. Believe it or not, there are people who can actually tell the difference between a 19 and a 20 second shot and will make you redo it until you get it just right.

I say all this to give you an idea of what it was like working in the espresso biz. The stress levels would rise quickly as I painstakingly tried to get that perfect shot for one customer as 10 more stood in line, out of the café and into the bookstore. Those stressful times weren’t daily, however. During the week, especially during the day, things could be quite slow. It was during these times that I truly came to enjoy and appreciate the coffee shop atmosphere. I enjoyed the leisurely one-on-one interactions with customers, both regulars and first timers. I watched the wide variety of people who came to the café. Some came to study, others to meet an old friend for the first time in a long while. I watched couples taking a break from the fast pace of life as they sat in holding hands and having a true conversation. I even remember a group of people that came in to play this weird card game that involved them switching seats between rounds (I would later meet some of them at NKU’s BSU and found out the game was “Revolution”). It truly was a great atmosphere.

And this is where my dream comes in. I hope to one day open up my own Internet café and bookstore. Obviously, it’ll be a typical coffee shop, serving coffee, espresso and teas. I’ll also have smoothy-type drinks and some pastries and desserts, and who knows what else.

There will be a small section for a bookstore, too. I’ll probably focus on used books, and people will be allowed to check them out for reading in the store, or buy them for cheap. Eventually, I hope to organize a monthly book discussion group, or at least provide a place for discussion groups to meet.

There will be some computers with Internet access set up in the shop, as well as free wireless Internet access for those who want to bring their laptop/Tablet PC in. On the side, I’ll start a computer building/repair business, as well as do some web design.

It doesn’t stop there, though. I hope to have a small space, maybe even a stage, where local bands can come and play on Friday and Saturday nights. Might have some poetry reading and karaoke, as well.

I also want to reach out to local churches. For fund raising efforts, I’ll let them help out in the café, keeping any tips they make and a portion of the proceeds. Hopefully, the building will be big enough so I can have a conference room, too. I’ll help promote their events and whatever else is needed.

That’s my dream and I really hope that I can one day do this. As of right now, I’m thinking I’ll be able to get started with this in about 5 years, after I’ve worked enough to save up for a down payment and a good loan.

I have some ideas for names of the café, but none have really hit me as great yet. Any suggestions? Here’s what I’ve thought of so far (or heard elsewhere):

• Beyond the Brim
• Above the Brim
• Jump ‘n’ Java
• NetC@fé
• Common Grounds
• Virtual…something
• Cyber…something

Lots can happen in five years, but I hope this remains a vision that I can pursue, whether I’m in this area or elsewhere.