Most recently, I visited Central Coffee Shop on a Thursday morning this past September. I was…read moredropping my dog off at daycare in Elizabeth, and went a little out of my way to work to make the trip here for a morning coffee.
Central Coffee Shop is a cozy neighborhood cafe located in Elizabeth, specifically in the Swiss Alpine Village. The shopping complex is right off of Scenery Drive, and houses several different offices and small businesses. It is locally owned and operated.
The business offers different coffees, teas, lemonades, pastries, and many locally made treats. Additionally, the interior houses a gift shop area called Central Gifts and Home Decor. There is a lot going on in this unsuspecting place, but in the best way.
Parking here is always very easy. Since this is in a complex, there is a private parking lot and spaces right in front. There is no drive-thru, if you were looking for that. However, it is so quick to get in and out with the very optimal parking arrangement.
The exterior of the shop is very clearly marked and identifiable. It is painted blue, while the surrounding storefronts are yellow. There is also an awning, along with signage and lighted signs. You will be able to locate this easily.
The inside of the cafe is large. There is a lot of seating, including a bar area, tables of various sizes, and more cozy seats surrounding a fireplace. Also, there are a few outdoor tables to utilize in nicer weather. This would be an ideal coffee shop to come to with friends, for a meeting, or just to leisurely enjoy an afternoon with all of the seating options.
Overall, I love the vibes here. It is comfy, cozy, and welcoming. They are always decorated for the season or the next holiday. They have real mugs, and lots of different gifts and trinkets to shop through. It really is a warm and welcoming place you want to hang out at.
I arrived on this visit just before 8:00 AM, and it was not too busy. There were a few other customers there, but I was waited on rather quickly. It gave me a few minutes to look over the menu, including the seasonal feature drinks.
I opted for one of the seasonal lattes. I chose a Large Iced Woodstock Woods, which was a mix of brown sugar, maple, and cinnamon. I enjoyed it greatly! It was a perfect taste of fall without diving completely into pumpkin just yet. The large size is a very nice portion, and allowed me to enjoy my drink all morning long.
When I visit, I usually opt for one of the seasonal drinks. If not, I will get one of their several house-made or sugar free flavor options. I truly have never had a drink I did not like here, so I would recommend trying different things if you are open to it!
I did not get one on this visit, but their Pup Cups here are top-notch. My dog absolutely loves them, as they come with whipped cream and a dog treat.
I believe that the value is there for this shop. My latte was around $7, and this is on-par with other local spots. I will say that the size of their large is bigger than a lot of other places, which makes it all that better of a deal. Personally, I think everything here is both fairly price and comparable to other places around. Also, they offer a punch card program for the drinks. So, you can get a punch for each drink purchased to eventually earn one free. They are one of the few local coffee places I am aware of that offer this, which is a huge plus.
The staff here is simply the best. Whether it's the owners or some of their student employees, everyone is always so nice. They make you want to keep coming back and supporting the business. This is one of the highlights of stopping here for me!
I always love coming to Central Coffee Shoppe. Between the plethora of options, gift shop, welcoming atmosphere and wonderful staff, there is a lot going for this place. I do not live super close, but make it a point to stop any time I am over this way. I look forward to my next visit and getting to try whatever seasonal drink is on the menu.