If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee and a relaxing work environment to complete homework or personal projects, a Saturday night at Dear Diary Coffee is the answer.
On Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dear Diary Coffee hosts a space where artists come to work on their personal or professional projects. The best part of the offer is that artists who come to work at this time can get filter coffee for just $1.00!
As soon as you walk through the door, you can tell that the art is an important part of the establishment’s atmosphere. When you first walk through the door, a wall displays works by local artists for sale. On the wall are hand-drawn books, brochures, magazines, etc., made by local artists.
On the wall opposite the entrance, various art supplies are sold, along with locally made stickers also on sale. It’s clear that art plays a big role in attracting customers and creating a place geared towards creative minds.
You can practically see the creative juices flowing from the moment you walk through Dear Diary’s door. Tables full of people line the wall and fill the space of the room, with artists of different genres sitting down, drinking coffee and getting to work.
People were working on graphic design, music editing, drawing using different mediums, painting, and video editing projects. Each person had a small paper cup filled with filter coffee and was deeply invested in the work they were creating.
This Saturday evening was quiet, even though the establishment was packed between 5 and 7 p.m. I took my roommates, Xochitl Lara and Isis Debrock, with me to work on our own creative projects, and they loved it.
Isis worked on a few graphic design projects, Xochitl took pictures for a photography job, and I worked on non-fiction creative projects for my own classes. It shows how many outlets there are for art these days and how enjoyable it is to work in an environment specifically designed for creative production.
“It was very laid back,” Debrock said. “I really enjoyed how much I was able to focus on my actual work. It was pretty quiet and the music wasn’t distracting.
Not only was the overall vibe of the place ideal for working artists, but the coffee served was delicious. The drip coffee was just strong enough to propel someone through whatever project they were working on, without giving off that jittery feeling.
However, if you’re the type of person who needs a snack with your coffee to avoid excessive caffeination, Dear Diary has some great options for a bite to eat, too! There is a wide range from sweet to salty; parfaits, pastries, bagels, salads and take-out boxes of assorted snacks.
Dear Diary Coffee is located across the river from St. Edward’s and east of I-35. A lovely fifteen minute drive to where coffee and creative fellowship await! It’s a great place for a relaxing weekend and the focus on art and working artists is both inspiring and encouraging!
Locally made artwork lines the walls at Dear Diary Coffee on Saturday, September 10.