When walking a few blocks west of campus, one thing is readily apparent: University students love their coffee.
East 13th Avenue is one of the busiest streets in Eugene, with endless foot traffic, bicycles, buses and cars transporting students to and from campus. It is also the perfect location for coffee shops. There is a coffee shop for every type of University student.
Starbucks, Espresso Roma Cafe, Rock Java and Corner Cafe are some of the many coffee shops on East 13th Avenue near campus.
Espresso Roma neighbors Starbucks, but the two coffee shops could not be more different.
Family-run Roma has artwork from local artists adorning the walls. Manager Miguel Cortez has worked at the business since starting it in 1990.
“I like my job, and I like making people happy,” Cortez said.
Student customers like Roma’s laid-back atmosphere.
“It’s the best around,” University senior Julia Morlock said. “It’s a good place to hang out.”
Students said they also like the flavor of the coffee at Roma compared with other coffee shops.
“They have real espresso, not fake, weak coffee. It’s better than Starbucks. Starbucks is burnt and weak,” University sophomore Ashley Petsch said.
Students at Starbucks loved the lively, fun atmosphere at the giant nationwide coffee
company’s East 13th Avenue location.
“All of my friends get coffee here,” University senior Jacy Horgdal said.
East 13th Avenue also hosts newer coffee shops, such Rock Java. Rocky Jawad, who has worked as a barista for 14 years, opened Rock Java in February 2010 and is already loving the response.
“I like the location,” Jawad said. “There’s a real variety of people in the neighborhood.”
Rock Java also hosted an open-mic event sponsored by Ethos Magazine, a student-run University publication. Jawad said he would like to host more events in the future.
Jawad would also like to expand the business and hire more people soon. He also wants to sell books at his store, the Liberty Trading Post, in which Rock Java is located.
Another new coffee shop that opened on the corner of East 13th Avenue and Patterson Street in 2009 goes by several names: Corner Cafe, Black Cat Cafe and the No-Name Cafe. Employee Jimmy Quinnelly has worked there since September 2009.
“We push good service and artisan coffee,” Quinnelly said.
The business opened in August 2009. It is on the main floor underneath an apartment complex owned by local rental company Bright Apartments, which also owns the coffee shop.
Students like the location and quiet atmosphere of the Corner Cafe.
“It’s in a great location,” University grad student Peter Morse said. “It’s convenient to get to
from campus.”
University junior Amelia Unsicker just visited the Corner Cafe for the first time and said she liked the coffee shop’s mellow atmosphere.
“I think I’d definitely come back here. I like supporting local places,” Unsicker said.
One thing every student had in common was their daily coffee routine, regardless of which coffee shop they go to. Students study, relax and socialize in the coffee shops along East 13th Avenue that best match their needs and personality.
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