In addition to the abundance of coffee shops in Harrisonburg, Merge Coffee Company has moved in next to A Bowl of Good and Gift and Thrift. The short walk from campus to the coffee shop makes for an easy getaway, whether you are in need of a change of scenery or some coffee that is not from Common Grounds.
Upon walking in, I was underwhelmed by the monochromatic colors lining every surface and the awkward layout of the little coffee shop. Although filled with natural light from the many wall-length windows, the lighting was harsh in contrast to the grey-and-white filled room. Intimate booths lined the outer walls, providing a quiet place to catch up on homework or to enjoy some coffee with friends.
The barista warmly greeted me as I walked over to the counter and thanked me for coming. As I stood looking at the menu, unable to decide between the options presented, she offered suggestions of her favorites to help me make up my mind. She highly recommended their chai latte if I was not in the mood for coffee and the macchiato if I was. Because I am always looking for some caffeine, I decided to order a caramel macchiato and, at the last moment, added a caramel apple scone, which made for a much better pair than I had expected.
Although I immediately regretted my choice, fearing too much caramel, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm addition to my late afternoon treat. The macchiato was one of the best I had tasted in a very long time, and I was thoroughly disappointed when it was gone.
The full, medium roast bean made for a rich and powerful flavor while the caramel contrasted the bitter coffee tendency. Perfectly heavy foam lined the top of the cup, decorated with caramel swirls and gave the drink a picturesque appearance that I was reluctant to smear.
I chose a booth next to the window and enjoyed my coffee while taking in the experience of the little shop. The wall directly across from me caught my eye as I stared at the art decorating it from top to bottom. The minimalistic style perfectly fit into the monochromatic atmosphere of the coffee shop. Although a little color would have been a welcome addition to the dull shop, the local artisans were well represented and added some cheer to the walls.
After looking more into their coffee selections, I was pleased to learn that Merge has fair trade coffee from Guatemala, Honduras, and Ethiopia, along with a variety of blends and roasts. They also have a unique type of coffee they call a “K-cup,” which is actually a type of coffee that is treated much like a tea bag, perfect for a cup of joe on the go.
If you’re looking for a bright and modest coffee shop to fulfill your caffeine needs, head on over to Merge Coffee Company at 821 Mt. Clinton Pike, Suite B, Harrisonburg, VA, 22802.
