Boston Coffee Independents Hold Their Niche over Larger Competitors
Numerous independent coffee houses are reported to have opened in the Boston area over the past two years, several of which have only been operational for a matter of months, Voltage Coffee & Art being one of these.
Like Voltage, these newer coffee venues have concentrated on taking time over the brewing process to ensure they bring out the maximum flavour in their coffee – at a premium price. Most cups of coffee served in these independent outlets are individually brewed, with lattes composed with more finesse and using less milk.
Voltage owner,Valena, commented, "I’m focused on the beauty of the process, it’s artisanal. Hundreds of people have put their hands on it. I think of all the farmers involved and try to honour that."
Hugh Geiger, who co-owns Thinking Cup, a Tremont Street venue that opened in Boston in December, echoed similar thoughts, "This is not the place to grab coffee to get your fix. Our customers are buying into the concept."
Such so-called boutique cafés put the emphasis on the coffee grower, roaster, barista and the overall coffee experience, thus differentiating themselves from the large coffee chains, according to analyst comment.
Other Boston coffee houses to have opened recently are Blue State Coffee and Pavement, Ride Studio Café and Taste Coffee House in Newton, the latter viewing the timing as right based on the successful precedent set by others and the fact that "people want to know more about coffee."