When it comes to getting coffee, we all know the feeling. You’re tired, you need that caffeine-kick, and you know you need your morning cup of joe.
Many of us think of somewhere like Starbucks when we realize we need this fix. But what if you could get already-reasonably priced coffee at a 15 percent discount that tastes great and is served to you by the friendliest barista in town?
Café Olé, located at 646 S. College Ave., next to Noodles and Company, is the coffee stop for you. When you walk in the door you find yourself in a very cozy room that makes you feel as if you have stepped into the kitchen back home. The smells of fresh coffee and baked goods rush to your nose. Behind the counter, Tia Tedford and Will Brauch are there with smiling faces ready to greet you and take your order.
After finishing her masters at Colorado State University, Tedford tried to get into veterinary school multiple times. When this did not work out as she hoped, she decided to try her hand at human medicine, but just never felt it was quite what she wanted to do.
So she decided to try something new. She opened Caffé Olé in 2013 and has been serving coffee for the last year.
“Business has really picked up this semester,” Tedford said. “Word of mouth has really been helping.”
Everything in Caffé Olé is locally sourced.
“I get my milk from a local dairy and the coffee beans from Jackie’s Java,” Tedford said. “It’s Costa Rican, shade grown, on a bird reserve.”
Will Brauch, a senior at Rocky Mountain High School and Tedford’s son, has been helping his mom to run the shop for the past year.
“It’s nice to run the show,” said Brauch. “It’s fun and we try to cater to students, which generates great interaction.”
Tedford donates all of the tips from Wednesday to the Fort Collins Cat Rescue.
“During the month of October, Saturday’s tips are going to Partners in Health, who are helping to work against Ebola,” Tedford said.
For a business that has not been open much longer than a year, there is a very strong feeling of philanthropy that accompanies the mood of the shop.
The atmosphere is perfect for college students with tables to study at and a feeling of being home.
Collegian A&E Writer Royce Hoffner can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @RoyceHoffner.
