It’s A Grind Coffee House has such a heavily corporatized, Starbucks-esque feel that when I first walked in, I thought maybe the place’d been bought out by Starbucks. You know, like Seattle’s Best.
But even if its copied the Starbucks’ look and feel, It’s A Grind appears to be its own chain, with stores in 18 states, and a “virtual training login” for their would-be baristas on its website.
Nope, no organic or fair trade coffee. However, their tea’s organic and fair trade — from Numi. A few pastries are avaliable, but there’s no sandwiches or other non-sweet meal food….
So I ended up having a cuppa tea for the first time in a long time, then hung out reading for a few hours among people clicking on their laptops.
If you’re willing to settle for tea, this might be a good place to pop in when the library across the street closes. It’s A Grind offers a roomy space with free wifi, and stays open until 11 pm.
It’s A Grind Coffee House. 602 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica. 310.260.0066.
It’s a Grind–A “local” mega-chain, born and bred in Long Beach!
But sadly, it aspires to be nothing more than another Starbucks…..
Comment by Rafi — May 21, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
I stop there occasionally for some empty carbs (usually a blueberry muffin or cherry danish) or if I’m waiting for my wife after 5.30 on Friday when the library’s closed. (I work at 7th & SMB) They always seem confused and even a little upset that I don’t want a bag to go with my pastry to go, even though every time I point out to them that it’d just get thrown out right away.
The music’s a bit loud in there as well.
Comment by Don Hosek — May 21, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
On the “green” front, my local indie coffee shop (Hot Java in Long Beach) has started pouring cold drinks in biodegradable plastic cups!
Far better than the disposable, but I still wish they’d use real glasses….
Comment by Rafi — May 21, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
Great greenish stuff indeed.Gourmet coffee
at http://www.coffeebreakusa.com adds to online coffee stuff.
Comment by Soni — May 21, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
I love ths place. The staff are always friendly. the coffee and pastries are better than anything i have ever had at Starbucks. If you want a real treat or real food, the stuffed croissants will have you addicted but fair warning, it’s hard for them to keep them in stock. They sell out every day.
Comment by Sandra Smith — September 29, 2007 @ 8:05 am