I’ve been missing Vintage Coffee since it moved out of its old 150th and Western location in west Edmond. Well today I discovered Compass Coffeehouse has opened up in their old space.
Hey, there’s always room for more independent coffee shops in Oklahoma City. Especially close to my house.
I wasn’t expecting to review Compass Coffeehouse when I walked through the door. I wasn’t expecting to walk through the door. But the owner Ally Moore told me she’s only been in business for a week, so I’m helping her get the word out. Not least because of the major drought in independent coffee shops in the West Edmond/North Oklahoma City area.
Compass Coffeehouse is now the closest independent (non-church affiliated) coffee shop for 30 sq miles. Ahhh! (The sound of me caffeinating).
So what’s it like?
Bright interiors, big windows, open plan and stained concrete, means it retains the friendly, modern feel that Vintage Coffee had. The whole inside has been renovated though – this is a different gambit – new colors and branding have been brought in.
The chirpy, young staff are led by Ally behind the bar (pictured second from left below). One week in, she already has the shop’s Twitter, Facebook and even Instagram presences established. She’s a digital native.
The coffee at Compass is Topeca brand, and it’s as good as at your local Starbucks, although not quite up to a locally roasted cup of Elemental Coffee.
The menu has all the staples, up in widescreen.
Bakery treats are from Browns bakery in midtown. We had a blueberry muffin, and it was massive, moist, and delicious. Like a visit from your plump and gregarious friend from the city.
There are spots to lounge with a newspaper, or camp out with a laptop. There’s peace to be had right now, but once word gets out, the single thoroughfare in front of the bar will create plenty of opportunity for patrons to mingle.
The music is mainstream-trendy. The soulful rasp of Mumford and Sons.
Reassuringly, corners have not been cut, expense has not been spared. The refurbishment feels substantial and costly. I think Compass Coffeehouse intends to stay some time.
Compass coffeehouse is not in an old historic home like Cuppies & Joe, or in an exiting district like Coffee Slingers, but it admirably serves a community in much need of places to come together.
North of Memorial and Quail Springs Mall and east of Santa Fe in west Edmond, everything is new. Not a month goes by without some neighborhood, apartment building or retail park springing up. Nearby Deer Creek has become one of OKC’s best performing school districts and most desirable neighborhoods. This is suburban Oklahoma, and why can’t suburban Oklahoma sustain an independent coffee shop?
Compass Coffeehouse is hoping to prove we can.
If you love coffee shops and working on laptops, you’ll want to check out the other reviews in our “I’m Working Here” series:
