Whether it’s socializing in the Shriver Starbucks or doing school work over a coffee at Koyena, the students and locals of Oxford have been finding any reason to indulge in a cup of coffee.
Since the beginning of the 2023 school year, three new coffee businesses have opened in Oxford. Local coffee expert Robert W. Thurston said that coffee demand is up among 18 to 24-year-olds and he does not foresee this demand going down anytime soon.
“It is because people enjoy grabbing a cup of coffee during the day with peers,” Thurston said, owner of Oxford Coffee Co., coffee expert, and author of “Coffee: From Bean to Barista.”
Drinking coffee has become a social act, and will continue to be, he said.
According to the National Coffee Association Spring 2024 National Coffee Data Trends, Coffee consumption is up by 4% since the Spring of 2023.
NCA’s findings also show that 67% of Americans have had coffee within the past day which is greater than the 49% average seen in 2004.
When walking Uptown or going through campus, you can easily spot Starbucks cups in the hands of students. Oxford and Miami’s campus have four Starbucks locations, Dunkin’ Donuts, Café Lux, TOUS les JOURS and Kofenya — not including the Starbucks embedded in Oxford’s Kroger.
In the fall of 2023, a Panera Bread was added to the Armstrong food court selling various types of coffee.
In January, Oxford welcomed TOUS les JOURS Cafe located at 5 W. High St.
Fridge and Pantry, 35 E Church St., opened a new espresso bar on April 1 for grab-and-go coffee from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Lyndsey Carter, a local barista, said Kofenya is busy with students in the early evening on weekdays and packed with students and locals on the weekends.
Carter believes that customers don’t only come back to Kofenya for a tasty cup of coffee, but rather to enjoy the company of the staff and community members.
“We know a lot of our regular customers whether they are students or locals, and that’s what makes Koyenay a more personable atmosphere,” Carter said.
A cup of coffee comes with a lot more than a caffeine boost, but rather a reason to converse and spend time with friends. Thurston explained that when sitting and sipping on a coffee one can indulge in a “real conversation,” not provoked by alcohol.
