What do you get when you mix, motorcycles, community, and coffee? In Kansas City the answer is Blip Coffee Roasters. Located at Mulberry Street in Kansas City, Missouri, this small scale roaster has gathered a large following.
The Biker Community
We have visited Blip on a few occasions, which are usually First Friday weekends. It’s not hard to identify their storefront, since it will usually have at least a few bikes parked out front. Being a biker in my younger days, I enjoy the variety we see when we visit. Where many places only draw one specific type of motorcycle, not at Blip. Often there will be a Harley parked next to an Enduro dirt bike, which leans close to a Ducati. It is clear that this place has created an atmosphere that fosters unity among a wide variety of people.
Blip Coffee Roasters takes pride in its relationships with vendors, as well as its customers. It buys the beans they roast at above fair-market prices from farmers around the world. They go beyond just telling their customers the flavor of the coffee. Their website lists the bean’s variety, as well as the altitude which it was grown. They even list a description of the flavor, as well as the farm where the beans were grown.
A Cup of Blip Coffee
One thing we noticed on each of our visits is the laid-back attitude. Staff casually greet people as the come to the counter, just like they are friends. Watching the interaction, it is obvious that many are regular customers, but quite a few are fairly new like us. Conversations revolve around weather, riding, and who’s already been by that day. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and welcoming. Each drink is expertly crafted, and served up piping hot.
Once we got our drinks, we decided to look around. the store is filled with a mix of coffee and motorcycle items. Customers can purchase bags of freshly roasted, and ground coffee for use at home. While they are at it, they can also pick up a t-shirt or other memorabilia. After all, it feels good to help out local businesses.
