More than coffee

Story by: Emilee Bridges, McKenzie McCormick, and Brenna Ware

The computer is open, the book is out, and a coffee is sitting next to it. Friends coming together to catch up on what has been happening in their lives. The sounds of college students typing, music and conversation blend into the low hum of a peaceful environment. Coffee shops have become the place where college students go to relax, catch up with friends and study.

Canyon has a variety of coffee shops that West Texas A&M University students enjoy visiting. These places include Starbucks, 1330, Palace Coffee and Journey. Twenty students were asked about their favorite coffee shop in Canyon and 45% responded saying Palace Coffee was their favorite.

“My favorite coffee place is Palace Coffee; I go there every single day,” said sophomore Joseph Peak. “It is a nice study place. It is not too loud and the music is good.”

Palace Coffee was started in Canyon in 2011 by Patrick and Krystal Burns. According to the Palace Coffee website “they wanted Palace Coffee to be a place where every guest feels valued.” There are three Palace Coffee locations in the Canyon and Amarillo area, and students continue to feel valued and welcome when they enter Palace Coffee.

Palace Coffee has a latte program where they highlight a non-profit organization in the community for six months. Palace Coffee donates one dollar to this organization for each latte that is purchased during those six months. Palace Coffee strives to tell the story and raise awareness for the non-profit organizations in the community.

“I like walking in and seeing the kind of place Palace Coffee is,” Peak said. “When I walk in, I get my coffee and am normally recognized by the employees.”

1330 is a coffee shop located on the WT campus, and it is owned and operated by Hope Choice Pregnancy Centers and Ministering Programs. Hope Choice is a Chirstian, pro-life organization that supports young mothers and families in the Canyon community. All of the money 1330 earns goes back into the Hope Choice organization.

1330 has a drink for everyone. It has sweet frappuccinos, teas, lemonades and simple lattes. 1330 also has an outdoor sand volleyball pit, cornhole and indoor meeting areas. This coffee shop truly has something for everyone.

“The atmosphere at 1330 is so peaceful and welcoming. It is easy to study there but also have good conversation and time with peers,” said senior Morgan Elarton. “The quality of coffee is unmatched and has much more authentic, purposefully crafted flavors and the baristas are so intentional and act like they genuinely want you to be there.”

Journey Coffee is a family run coffee shop that opened in October of 2020. The journey website states that they want to make their customers' days better and it is more than just a cup of coffee. Whether students want to study for finals using their quick Wi-Fi or meet up with an old friend, Journey Coffee has a place for everyone.

“I have not been inside lately, but I feel that it is a great place to get caught up on homework or even study,” said freshman Ava Sharp. “I would suggest their oatmeal, it is very good. I get a tall iced vanilla latte with oat milk and no whipped cream or drizzle.”

The first Starbucks store was opened in Seattle, Washington in 1971. By 1996 Starbucks grew and moved across the Pacific Ocean and continues to open stores across the world. The mission statement says, “With every cup, with every conversation, with every community - we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.” Even as Starbucks grows, this remains the center of what they strive to do.

There is a Starbucks store in the Jack B. Kelly Student Center that opened on November 3, 2014. Many of the students who responded with Starbucks being their favorite coffee shop in Canyon are brought in by the convenience of it being in the JBK and using dining dollars. Students also enjoy the taste of starbuck’s food and drinks.

“My favorite thing about Starbucks is the way that they make the drinks,” said senior Jordyn De La Sontos. “Usually after I get my Starbucks I go study or hang out with my friends in the JBK.”

The Canyon community has a variety of coffee shops that students can choose to visit. While only 10% of the respondents go to a coffee shop daily, 30% go at least once a week. Students look for more than just coffee, they are looking for community, coffee and a good study environment.