There’s a lot of small details that make Stumptown really pleasant.
The two coffee tables in the lounge area that are made from 9x9 groups of 12x12 beam chunks.
Built in benches with cushioned backs that are beautiful and yet still feel good as you sit down.
The concrete floor that’s not pretending to be old, it just is old, and has an amazing patina and texture and saw marks.
The huge skylight above the lounge area that brings such a lightness to the area and makes the separated space bearable and even enjoyable.
feng shui
Just to head here first, this is the biggest thing with the space, it’s hard to work with the way it’s structured. It’s basically two halves, and one side has the lounge/seating, and one half has the bar, roasting equipment, and entry. There’s a large opening that joins the two, but it doesn’t do well at linking the spaces. The biggest challenge is a pocket of windowless space in the lounge. Luckily its balanced by all the light on the other end where there’s a glass rollup and skylight. I don’t find myself ever wanting those seats in the pocket, but they might be acceptable for those who wish to hide with their laptop. The best seat is in the middle of the lounge, facing the opening and the bar, on the bench with the cushioned back.
seating
As I previously mentioned, the oak benches with leatherette cushioned backs are wonderful, and I love that they hang off the wall on big heavy brackets. The brackets are fashioned in such a way so that it results in a slight curve which should make it more comfortable. The bulk seating at all the tables are blacked out scandi farmhouse stick built chairs. They’re fine. I can understand why they went with them because the whole lounge area is leaning on that black white farmhouse style with the farmhouse angular white pendants as well.
presentation
Burnt brown cup and saucer in perfect proportions. Served without a spoon. I never use the spoon, but somehow I’m missing it? Like wanting to get the invite even if you know you can’t attend the party? It’s nice to have options even if you never exercise them. They’re extra fancy with their name engraved on the inside of the cup so as you drink it appears. It’s done so a right handed drinker will see it. A left hander, like in so much of the rest of their experience in life, will miss out.
A lot of coffee shops wear some version of the modern concrete floors raw metal, natural wood uniform. This isn’t really different in any way. It might have been the “first” in the area, but it doesn’t really matter. I’m often looking for something different, and this doesn’t really have that, but it is a pleasant space and deserves a small amount of respect for their history. I'd best summarize the style as modern hipster farmhouse. Big clock, 50s style overhead fan, vinyl on the shelves with a stereo head unit.
Photos (google reviews)
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