The nearest acceptable coffee shop* to my house, Muddy Waters, has some great signs painted on their front windows. Whoever did the lettering has a fun style: light and organic, but still consistent and professional.
Plus, they’re getting a limited liquor license, which is nice; sometimes, you want that Sunday afternoon beer in a place with decent music, free WiFi, and no smoke. Until the smoking ban kicks in next January, that pretty much means coffee shops, at least in my neighborhood.
* An acceptable coffee shop must get a few basic things right. First and foremost, their house blend coffee must always be fresh, and drinkable black. If an airpot full sits out long enough to get stale, it should be dumped, not left out for customers to empty over the rest of the day. Secondly, it must cost no more than $1.50, with at least one refill. Anything more is just price-gouging.
Aside from that, all I ask is that the music not completely suck, and the WiFi be reasonably reliable. I can even flex on the WiFi, if the coffee is better than average.
Watch out for these miscreants:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/2157656616_a98451fd71_m.jpg (Chris)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2135630559_ff6233ec85_m.jpg (Nick)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2132323753_11555e6caa_m.jpg (Charlie)
Because they’re full of awesome. Ex- and current Reedies, coffee conneiseurs, and unschoolerly folk. Also, wicked smart and funny.