Being an opinionated and often inscrutable bunch here at Trampoline, we decided to conduct a litmus test of sorts. Mornings in the office you can find the staff clinging to their cup of giddyup. We looked around the room at our production meeting and everyone had something different. Each of us has our favorite, and we all know one another's preferences, but not why. As a culture, we make our purchase decisions based on predictable data, or do we? Is it location, convenience, price, habit? Turns out, it's different for each of us. 

 

Sean: Rock Hill Bakehouse
Coffee is an absolute necessity. Quality is less of a consideration for me than unfettered access to caffeine. There are a number of cafes around the office, I drive by two different Dunkin' Donuts on my way to work, and continue past the Cool Beans that my mother is loyal to. Apparently coffee preference is not a genetic trait. I get my coffee at Rock Hill bakehouse. Not because it's close to the office (it is) not because it's organic and free-trade (also true) but because of Beth. She floats behind the counter with a big smile, asks about my family and calls me Mr. Magee. I can get coffee anywhere. I get it from Rock Hill because Beth makes me feel appreciated. Service, people.

 

Derek: Lox of Bagels & Moor
Lox of Bagels & Moor. Yeah, weird name, looks and location. But inside: best egg-bagel sandwiches bar none, Green Mountain Coffee and usually a smile. Like most on this list, here's another local, family-owned biz that brings pride to area.

 

 

Amanda: Starbucks
It's less about the products than it is about the experience. When I step into a Starbucks the smell of coffee beans and the whir of steamers transports me to the fuzzy euphoria of the holidays. Hearing my drink called and collecting the hot cup gives me a sense that anything is possible. The displays are intoxicating in their unnecessariness and relative affordability. I even enjoy the occasional haugtiness from the baristas, signaling that they feel as special working there as I do visiting. The 3,000 miles between where I have chosen to raise my family and where I was raised is bridged when I visit Starbucks. It isn't buying-local, but for me it's visiting-familiar and it's priceless.

 

 

Jake: Stewart's
It took me more than 30 years to develop an appreciation for coffee - now it's a morning ritual that I rely on to carry me through my day. Always on the run, I constantly find myself pulling into the first establishment on my commute. No Lines, No Hassle, No Nonsense - just a simple cup of coffee for a simple kind of guy. Though I do enjoy indulging in the occasional upscale cup o' joe, there's certainly something about the straight-forward and uncomplicated convenience that keeps me coming back for more.

 

 

Trina: Loose Leaf Tea
So much of my tea enjoyment lies in the ritual of tea. When in a rush, a tea bag is just fine, but I prefer loose leaf. At work, it's the act of filling the small, wire mesh strainer with green tea, cinnamon tea, or a classic English breakfast and then letting the warmth of the mug melt into my hands and calm my mind during a busy day. At home, my husband and I will often split a pot of tea. There, it's filling the kettle, cooking an egg or two while we wait for it to boil, and then pouring ourselves tiny cups, refilling as we go along in conversation, easing ourselves into the weekend. Tea is simple and quiet, a pause steeped deeply in every culture, connecting me back to myself.

 

 

Amy: The Chocolate Mill
Walking into The Chocolate Mill reminds me a little bit of a European-style Manhattan-ish cafe, it's dark, warm and cozy with a perfect little bit of sophistication. My husband and I have two kids in daycare and rarely splurge on ourselves, but a good cup of coffee (not made at home!) is something we never go without. Honestly we never feel guilty about our little Latte Factor addiction either. Dudes, we have one car, don't have cable and are stuck in the space-time continuum of Dora and Diego videos. My vice is factored into my day, give me a little Greenwich Village feel with my coffee and all is right with the world. 

 

 

Paula: Diet Coke
I am the only smart one. I choose to drink a self contained, ice cold beverage that doesn't require an extra stop in the morning or the extra cash.  I simply reach into the fridge for a cold one-no, not beer-a Diet Coke. I'm that 30 something (ok maybe just 40) that the Diet Coke execs are targeting. And its working. To me, there's nothing like the "fizz" of caffeine in the morning. I'll admit this habit started in college when money was tight and the only thing found in our fridge was Diet Coke, most often a left over mixer from the night before.  But I have to admit it's pure genius. Where else can you get your morning caffeine fix for 44 cents?