TTHAT Aprons

As much as we can all talk about the pure forms of coffee that we appreciate so much, and the shops and baristas that exemplify the purity of craft, we must also take the time to admit to ourselves that

we love shwag.

Owens coined it, and it's true. Baristas love shwag. We love coming back from trade shows and competitions with t-shirts, demitasses, and pins. I don't want to take this post to analyze why, although it seems like the "free" part would have a lot to do with it. Instead I'd like to hop on the boat of barista-stuff and begin to offer customized barista aprons.



As conscious, style-aware people, I don't feel it is necessary to dawn the black apron of formality every time I step behind the bar. And why not get rid of that single pocket that's for check books in restaurants? Instead I offer small pockets for your needs: pens, tip money, lighter/chapstick, cellphone... I'm not much of a seamstress, but I have a couple fingers in design and would like to start making these for others.

Take a look here. I'm making more everyday, so check back if you don't find one that suits you. $17 for the half-aprons, $22 for the full-size aprons. If you're in Atlanta the first weekend of December, stop by Octane for the Octane Artist Month Opening. All of the employees will be displaying art for the month of December, and the opening will be December 7th. I'll be there with TThat aprons and tshirts if your little heart so desires.

Insane 'tane...

This morning, Octane exhibited some of its stranger course of events.

Jason, John and I opened the shop this morning. It had rained last night for the first time in what seems like a month, and the temperature had dropped some twenty degrees. Perfect recipe for busy day. People remember its cold outside and want to huddle over their laptops with a cap and pastry. Except this morning, amidst the busy busy, someone decided to huddle outside on the sidewalk, gripping their shoulder and asking us to call an ambulance. A regular of hours (J) says the man on the sidewalk was riding a bike on the sidewalk, and as J opened the shop door the man fell off of his bike.

Okay so we try to call the cops and they aren't responding, and instead we have every customer asking us if we've done something. It's now our responsibility?! Ok yes, we''ve taken it into our own hands, but this guy seems like he's full of crap and attempting to commit insurance fraud. Not to mention it isn't our duty to decide whether or not he's actually hurt. So we're trying. And then the guy that orders small "dark mochas" (wtf) is blaming us for not helpin the guy outside!! His tone and Jason's clash to the umph degree, both of em trying to be nice and helpful but neither coming off as such. AH! Meanwhile John and I attempt to continue things at a normal pace. Dark Mocha uses our phone to call an ambulance, brings shoulder dude inside, and leaves the situation in our hands.

Ambulance comes and checks out Mr. Shoulder's Broken, and the EMI man is so nice.. asks us to hold on to the guy's bike to make sure it doesn't get stolen. Awesome.

THEN we get a call from Erin (our new female friend in the kitchen) who has just been hit on her bike. Oh my god people please watch where you're driving.

So Jason hops in the kitchen to cover for E, I'm back up front working (I was just about to leave). Dave comes in (yay, awesome). Always a nice surprise. Cards worked out right there. And THEN Roberto stops by. Roberto is a friend of Octane's that has moved to NY and makes some pretty amazing music. He was literally just driving through Atlanta with a friend on the way to Miami, thought he'd stop by. So great. AND he knows people in Fukuoka that I can meet up with.

He says hello, everybody.

OKbye.