Pursuit of a C & C Sunday ... we found the elusive 3rd 'C' 1/14/2018

Primarily a C & C Sunday

It's been a busy life.  This has not stopped the need to eat and chasing great coffee.   Sunday we were off the clock and made it a two-stop day.  It's great, and unusual, to have the time visit new places that become favorites.

Such was today...primarily a C & C Sunday (caffeine and carbs).  We stumbled upon the long-lost 'C.'

We did it in 2 stops (but the day isn't over...who knows!!)

Stop #1

'Matchbox Coffeeshop is a worker-owned collective, founded and operating under the basic principles of social-democracy/democratic-socialism'.  When's the last time you visited a business with this 'business model?'   Founded in 1996 as a single owner business, it became a collective in 2003 under the guidance of 4 worker-owners.

Matchbox is everything that a collective coffee place located in Northeast should be.  Big as a matchbox, 60s throwback 'decor', a bar with about 4 stools and a long church pew and a short church pew with some well-worn pillows to lean on.  A decent mocha and pretty okay cold brew, made with organic fair trade coffee and very delicious bakery from Mayday in Powderhorn was a great time on a lazy Sunday afternoon. 

The savory scone and cranberry quick bread were over-the-top delicious. For a snowy day, there were many customers coming and going.  Books to read and a shelf of

clothing to swap and a great front window to observe comings and goings marks this as a neighborhood cornerstone.

The best part was the conversation (spoken like veterans of a place that encouraged conversation over electronic devices).  We chatted with a customer and the barista about politics, human interaction, and how to think progressively about tackling the problems that face our world.  

Today people seem to be confrontational and divisive which leads to difficulty in having an actual conversation...where you take turns speaking, share opinions and facts...and learn and compromise.  We need to get back to just being able to have civil 'conversations' - multi-faceted--not just shouting our views at someone who shouts back their disagreeing views. 

Matchbox is a cash-only place.  A worker-owner collective is NOT about supporting large financial institutions (credit cards).  Bring your dollar bills,  break away from corporate America, and make time for conversation and coffee.

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But wait...John saw a 'donut' sign down the street.   

 ***

We'd just had lunch (yes, a savory scone counts as lunch...YES it does).  Dessert was in order...

***

Stop #2:

Sleepy V's donuts (formerly  Rebel donuts) is named after one of their bakers who is always sleepy.

It's a conventional layout with  bakery case when you walk in and a long bar to the left, with bright yellow metal stools...a place to stop for an espresso and a donut (they are small...plan on a few donuts).  White subway tile, the 'utility counter' surrounded by bright yellow re-purposed doors...even the bathroom is adorable.

We chose a flight of donuts and a cold brew to share.  The flight of 4 donuts is $5.  These are smaller donuts...mini donuts...but bigger than what you think of as Tom Thumb....which encourages you to try multiple flavors.

The flavor winner for us:  hibiscus pineapple...with bright pink but not heavy frosting....lots of pineapple flavor in the frosting.   We also tried the maple bacon, the blueberry chocolate chip pancake, and Snickers. 

I left for a second to photo the bathroom, and  when I returned the donuts were on a plate...but the maple bacon had no bacon.   I pouted and claimed that a squirrel had taken my bacon--the barista said they had an albino squirrel on the patio who loved their donuts---I pulled off John's hat and pointed to his 'albino fur'---the barista laughed and another donut appeared on our plate with 2 nice pieces of bacon.

The focus on mini-donuts to encourages people to get out of their comfort zone  and try things like a cajun apricot habanero donut.  Believe me, if that had been in the case today, I would have been all over it.  The selection changes daily, so stop in ...every day except Monday.

..and GLUTEN FREE CARBO-VORES...YES they have gluten free donuts....Thursday thru Sunday.   They're sold as assortments of 8 for $13.   So you can satiate your gluten free carb cravings with a variety of flavors kept separately in little kraft paper boxes to keep them away from that pesky gluten.  These are almond flour based, according to the barista...but they would give you more info about ingredients if you call.

2 C & C New Favorites in 1/2 Block

NE Minneapolis has it's draw when you can walk (can't really walk anywhere in the burbs) a short distance, sample two great C & C venues and stare in the window of Dangerous Man Brewing, a good stop for next time.

That Third, Elusive 'C'
The real highlight of our trip to NE and to Matchbox and Sleepy V's was the elusive third 'C.'  Conversation, dialogue, patron-to-patron and patron-to-staff makes a real difference.  We met great people.  Touching on a wide range of topics it's refreshing to find people who listen especially when your opinions differ.

That back-and-forth listening, talking and compromise...we'd like to package up that refreshing experience in NE and send it to D.C.