finding a new Global Village
I adore Global Village Coffeehouse in Raleigh. It is, and has been, my favorite hideaway anywhere, ever, for five years. And Mike Ritchie has been my favorite business owner.
But now I find myself on the other side of North Carolina, holed up in the mountains of Asheville without the comfort of my Marc (for a few months, nothing permanent) or a Global Village.
Due to a lack of strong internet connection chez familia, I hijacked their laptop and decided to find my Westside Global Village. And unlike Raleigh and Durham, which have relatively limited coffee house options that offer proper ambiance, lack of pretention, organic fairtrade brew that is locally roasted, with a great staff to boot, Asheville supposedly has a plethora. Throw a reuseable coffee mug, and you’re bound to hit one.
The options were plenty, I am sure, but I am unfamiliar with this city. I have seen Green Sage repeatedly as I get lost in downtown, so I went to get lost and find it again.
Eureka. Instantly, I enjoy the warm, hardwood floors, beautiful bakery case with organic carrot cake and vegan ginger snaps, a recycle and compost center, and a display of Larry’s Beans for your homebrewing needs (yay, Larry’s Beans! A little taste of Raleigh here in Asheville!). So I’m spending some time in a place that feels like a sophisticated friend’s downtown penthouse loft (on the ground floor), and I’m spending that time with ten of my closest strangers who seem to be having a dinner party (furthering the friend’s sweet pad vibe). This group is obnoxiously loud, which would not be the case at GV, but the music playing is a great eclectic mix, and the furniture is pleasing to the eye as well as comfortable.
It’s too early to tell if I’ll like Green Sage… much less love it like I love Global Village. But I have dozens of other coffeehouses to try. Frankly, I doubt I’ll find another Global Village. Green Sage impresses me instantly, however, and I know when I need somewhere comfortable downtown, this place has promise. The ambiance is a little polished and impersonal, but again, it’s an easy find. And I’m sure to like it more without ten cackling women deafening me. Honestly, they are so loud, they’ve made me completely regret coming here.
In a city where I still feel lost, and honestly, a little trapped too, I’m letting her introduce herself to me as I introduce myself to her… and in time, hope to love her like I love Durham. And that means trying new coffeehouses to find a homebase. Better luck next time.
Cheers to new chapters, new promise, and a great internet connection.
Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue
[...] finding a new Global Village [...]