The next mom and pop shop I decided to explore was Cummings Coffee and Candy. Coffee and candy? It sounds like a great place to venture. I haven't heard anything about this place, but it seems popular since it has three locations. I picked the one in the heart of Butler on its main street.
Location: Finding Cummings Coffee and Candy was easy to follow on google maps. This coffee shop is placed perfectly on the main drag of Butler. Parallel parking is your only option. Once you find a parking spot on this extremely busy street, Cummings Coffee and Candy is easy to find by the maroon porch awning that overhangs the front door. The coffee shop rests in the middle of a few shops but placed towards the end of the building complex if you are going north to south.
Rating: 3/5 …due to parallel parking being the only parking option and the scarcity of finding a spot close to your destination
Trick/Tip: If you are coming north to south on Butler’s main street, start trying to find a parking spot around Dunkin Doughnuts. This will give you ample time to find a spot from there to Cummings Coffee and Candy...you're welcome
Ambience:
Light: The light from the front door only reached to the counter that ran perpendicular in the middle of the long room. The bench area that was behind this counter was very dark. Ceiling lights tried to help illuminate this area by reflecting off a wall of mirrors in the back. This only helped a tad. Definitely the darkest coffee shop I have been to so far.
Rating: 2/5 …due to not enough light. It was not completely dark in the front of the room but was pretty close towards the back.
Trick/Tip: Maybe just bring your own lamp…you’re welcome
Seating: The seating consisted of rows of wooden benches lined up into three columns. Outside there was just one nicely placed metal table with two matching metal chairs.
Rating: 2/5 …due to lack of variety of seating
Trick/Tip: The outside seating, if you want to be next to a busy road and if the table is available, is a nice seating option on a sunny day…you’re welcome
Sound: There was no music playing in the background, but the only sounds were from the barista making the different drinks behind the counter and the cars on the busy main street. Other noises consisted of what you find yourself doing in the store such as talking to the barista or just shuffling around.
Rating: 2/5 ..due to no music but still had the correct sounds of the coffee shop and the engaging barista
Trick/Tip: I recommend talking to the barista about the history of Cummings Coffee and Candy or the different food/drinks options because the awkward silence may get uncomfortable…you're welcome.
Inviting: The barista was very friendly and ended up telling me about the history of Cummings Coffee and Candy. She was also very knowledgeable and willing to answer my questions about the different drinks, chocolate, and coffee bean choices that they sold. However, since her and I were the only ones in the shop and the place was dark, I did not get the inviting feeling to sit down and stay for awhile.
Rating: 3/5 …due to the barista being really nice and friendly but the feel of the place was not.
Trick/Tip: Start talking about the black and white photos on the walls and the barista will tell you a little bit of history about their shop. If you don’t like history, then don’t…you’re welcome
Drink/Food: There was a vast assortment of choices when it came to drink options. They sold the classic lattes, americanos, espressos, iced, etc., but they dove deeper and had a whole list of latte specials, smoothies, and milkshakes. The food items consisted of muffins, biscotti, and LOTS of chocolate options. There is one counter that is just for their chocolate and coffee beans. The chocolate had everything from chocolate covered pretzels to chocolate covered chips.
Rating: 5/5 ...due to the extensive drink and food options
Trick/Tip: They have pre-made bags of different assortment of chocolates. These are perfect if you are like me and can never decide on one particular thing. These bags are placed in a glass bowl on top of the counter and come in milk chocolate or dark chocolate….you're welcome.
Overall, I rate this coffee shop 3/5. Cummings Coffee and Candy had excellent coffee and chocolate options that are 100% worth trying. The atmosphere was too dark to do work and too quiet to hang out with a friend. Not the best place for a private conversation since the barista will most likely hear the whole thing as well as anybody else who walks in. The seats outside seemed like a nice place to go to hang out with a friend on a nice sunny day. Overall, if you are just looking for a place to stop in and grab a coffee or chocolate to go, then this place is worth trying.
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