Murky Memories

Before I jump into commentary about current coffee houses, a eulogy for Murky Coffee, which closed in May 2009:

Murky was my "Office #3" (home office was "Office #2, and the real office, well, "Office #1"). Since I worked in an open office environment with many distractions and interruptions, I utilized my other 2 offices when I really needed to crank on developing new solutions, Powerpoints, or seriously work down the email backlog.

Murky came with serious caffeine: 3 shots in the medium iced latte or cappucino. And so my productivity skyrocketed by at least 300%. They brewed Counter Culture beans, and even set out used grounds for use in home gardens (my azeleas thank you).

Most of the Murky audience worked in their laptops, some developing web sites, some law students studying or writing papers. Despite the multitude of laptops, the vibe level was high, music diverse and hip, and the coffee a consistent 10 out of 10. I could never come close to the creamy, dark complexity at home.

Murky was truly into creating consistently great cups of coffee.

Murky had its quirks: sometimes closed early for private events with little notice, condemned upstairs seating area, credit card connection down for months, weird Tidy-bowl-like smell from bathrooms, pieces of ceiling would fall in, etc. I could generally overlook these as Murky was a rarity in its priority it placed in quality of coffee brewed and qualification of its baristas.

I understand that Murky closed due to increases in building rent (or equiv), and that Liberty Tavern folks will renovate the space. Murky's owner has just started a new coffee venture in Chinatown. I'll give that a try in the coming weeks...