The Hottest Place In Town : Fog & Flame

    “ Each one leaves better” is the motto of the local Bloomsburg coffee shop that has been around since 2012.  The meaning of this motto is that each person that leaves this coffee shop will feel better after they experience the atmosphere and quality of the products at Fog & Flame. The owner Erin, father gifted him with a sum of money that he knew exactly what he wanted to do with. Despite having no experience in entrepreneurship at all Erin invested in a vacant storefront in Bloomsburg a town that he visited often. Just on Main Street right near the Dollar General Fog & Flame is one of the most popular coffee shops in town. Drawing various types of people such as businessmen, students, tutors, elderly, couples, and many bloggers Fog & Flame draws different varieties of people to there shop . The workers loving there place of work, having a unique menu, a consistent customer base and the motto is enforced throughout their day is what I learned in my visit to the hottest coffee shop in town. The warm, welcoming, and cozy aura that you feel when you walk into Fog & Flame is what sets this coffee shop apart from the others in town, and keeps customers coming back.



    Fog & Flame has many of the typical coffee variations that many are used to seeing. With two different coffee variations and sometimes rotating between four or five, leaves an affect on customers. While sipping on a creamy latte one customer bundled up in an infinity scarf with a vintage leather jacket,w with rosy red cheeks and short black hair said “ I’m a regular here, I like to come in once or twice a week. I think there coffee is better than Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. It tastes authentic and fresh, I love the service I receive as well. I like to come here when I have a lot of work to do, or even when I would like to just clear my mind”. On an average Fog & Flame receives about one hundred or more people daily. Lunch time being there busiest time surprisingly, the workers shared that they open at 6:30 am everyday but that people usually don’t come in until 10:00 pm. Often viewing the same faces the employees have built relationships with the customers. Furthermore, servers believe that the close knit relationships with the customers and quality of the drinks is what draws people back faithfully. As well as the chill atmosphere that the shop has and the traditional Italian way of making coffee which they described as not making the drinks super sugary. Not only does Fog & Flame serve coffee and drinks they also have pastries such as cake, croissants, and other sweets. Also, they have a lunch menu that is active from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm consists of muffins, salads,and what they call “ comfort food” such as, grilled cheese, roasted veggies, and the soup of the day.


      Sarah who has been working at Fog & Flame for little over a year says she loves her job. Sarah shared with me that she had previously worked for big businesses and franchises. Having long blonde hair and freckles with a petite stature wearing yoga pants, a floral sweater, and a white scarf Sarah explains that she was very unhappy with working at these places, not having any fun while working, often dreading going to work, and having strict work policies. She had nonexistent relationships with her co- workers who she described to be unpleasant and rude. However, since working at Fog & Flame all of those issues have been resolved. Receiving good treatment, and having a close bond with her co- workers, makes Sarah look forward to going to work daily. “ I would recommend this job to many, this is the best job I have worked at thus far” says Sarah smiling from ear to ear. I believe that Sarah's hipster like personality is professional enough for this job, the welcoming carefree vibe that the shop gives off fits perfectly for someone like Sarah. Making sure that each employee feels appreciated and welcomed is one of the numerous reasons Fog & Flame is so unique.

Front counter

     

    When you walk into Fog & Flame the interior is like a coffee shop you would see in a movie. Having famous art hanging on the wall, along with beautiful brick walls that gives the shop an authentic look. A guitar and portrait of the late Marilyn Monroe smoking a cigarette is one of the art displays that caught my eye most. While pouring sugar into my coffee I looked up and admired the portraits. With two coffee bars, with tall wooden bar chairs students conversed about school and chatted over coffee. Near the entrance in the huge padded chairs with Victorian rugs underneath their feet, elderly laughed and joked about memories that they shared. At the small black wooden coffee tables, tutors and students discussed biology. Men who had just got off of work chatted about their day while sipping their hot latte’s. Some having quotes on their mugs while others, had different animal like mugs each mug being a different color, shape, and size. Behind the counter, there were about 5 different coffee machines all black and silver, with the cleaned mugs ready for customers use under the counter. Toward the back of the shop there were sculptures glued to the wall of different playstation controllers. If you looked above the playstation controllers, you would see potato sacks that once held different type of coffee beans. With the sound of laughter, alternative music, and conversations this coffee shop help the most coziest atmosphere I have ever felt in any coffee place.
     With every customer sipping coffee, munching on pastries, and conversing I felt the Fog & Flame motto when exiting “ Each one leaves better” I felt better just because of the warm, welcoming, and cozy atmosphere. In conclusion, Fog & Flame is the hottest coffee shop in town, and provides you with an experience like no other.