Q&A with Baristas around Athens, GA
Image Courtesy: Gianna Rodriguez
Small cities are home to local coffee shops, but ones in Athens, Georgia, each have their own personalities. We go day by day ordering espresso drinks that are made with love by humans we don’t even know. Baristas are always the kindest workers, but we don’t pay much attention to them when they ask, “How are you? What can I get for you?” To get to know your local baristas, here is a Q&A with three: Jose, Emily, and Zac.
1000 Faces Coffee: Jose
Q: How long have you been a barista at 1000 Faces?
A: I’ve worked here since late May of last year.
Q: What is your coffee recipe like at home compared to making something when you come into work?
A: At home, I typically do pour-overs, using a Chemex or something like that. Whenever I get here, I love having any espresso drink.
Image Courtesy: Gianna Rodriguez
Q: Can you tell me a little about what you do outside of being a barista?
A: I recently just took the LSAT, and I’m trying to get into law school. Now that I’m done with studying, I have a lot more free time just to work and hang out.
Q: What’s one thing you want your Athens customers to know about you as a person and as a barista?
A: I’m pretty personable. I like having customers come in and sharing my knowledge on coffee. A lot of times people will return their own tidbits of knowledge to me, and it’s really cool to be able to talk about our shared love for coffee. And I think this space is a pretty inclusive space.
Image Courtesy: Instagram
Molly’s Coffee Company: Emily
Q: How long have you been a barista at Molly’s Coffee?
A: I started here in August of last year.
Q: What is your coffee recipe like at home compared to making something when you come into work?
A: At home, I use Nespresso. So quick coffee when I’m not working. I usually drink coffee at work now because nothing really compares to it once you have access to it.
Q: Is there a specific favorite drink you like to make for yourself when you come into work?
A: My go-to is just plain drip coffee with cream, but my favorite drink is our almond coconut mocha!
Q: How long have you been a barista here at Jittery Joe’s?
A: I’ve been a barista here for about two and a half years.
Q: What is your coffee recipe like at home compared to making something when you come into work?
A: Pretty minimal. I usually start off with a standard cup of coffee, but I rely on coming into work to make other drinks.
Image Courtesy: Gianna Rodriguez
Q: Can you tell me a little about what you do outside of being a barista?
A: I work another job as a Park assistant at the Community Center.
Q: Is there anything you want your Athens customers to know about you as a person and as a barista?
A: I love this community. Sometimes it can be kind of frustrating, dealing with customers that come in with their own anger and attitude during a busy shift. We are all just people, and asking, “how are you” without actually wanting a response can be very upsetting.
Whether you’re a coffee drinker or just enjoy surrounding yourself with the smell and sound of fresh coffee brewing, it’s worth it to stay local. Go a little beyond the, “Hi I’ll have the…” and instead try, “Hi, how is your day going so far?” Most baristas, such as Jose, Emily, and Zac, put love into their creations, so why not give a little love back?
Strike Out,
Writer: Gianna Rodriguez
Editor: Shelby Wingate
Athens