There’s a new coffee shop in the Old North End! Ahhhh!

I mean, it’s good news for you because hey! good coffee, near by, in a quiet neighborhood! But I also live within good walking distance so it’s pretty dang exciting for me too. I’m commencing an attempt to not go there every day. We’ll see how long that lasts. But the first time was totally for you all, our guests. Not for me at all. Not even a little bit…

This place is so close to my home that I drive by it almost every day, so I’ve been watching their progress as they get closer to opening. I must say I love that they kept and repainted the old bike rack with the teaspoons!

The old parking spaces were removed to make space for a larger patio, which I really like. There’s a second patio in the back, so the seating has really expanded. Speaking of seating, the bar stools looked gorgeously comfortable. I’d absolutely sit up to the bar for drinks sometime, although this visit was in the middle of the day.

The shop is open early and late; get your coffee in the morning and your cocktails at night. Or vice versa, because they serve both all day and to each her own, really. However, they’re just a “starter bar” and the atmosphere is more quiet and intellectual, less raucous.

The only part about my visit that really caught me off guard was the restaurant-style seating and payment method. In a bar or a coffee shop, and especially in all the shops in Colorado Springs that combine the two, I’m used to paying at the counter or bar. Here, though, it seems the  directive is to seat yourself, and the waiters will come to you for your order, food and drinks, and finally bring your check. (Yep – they brought me my check for the tiny $2.15 coffee with cream that I ordered.)

Overall, I’d give the reopened Stir a 10/10 – definitely a recommended experience for coffee, alcohol and food!