I'm looking at its name very closely and hoping that it will penetrate my thick, empty skull that the name of this place is On the Go Espresso. It isn't Espresso To Go (or, as I've sometimes spelled it without consulting Dictionary.com, Expresso To Go).
One thing I've known all along, however--ever since a young studmuffin named John Ramsey opened it a few years ago--is that it's delicious and doesn't take a lot of work to end up one happy customer.
My mom and I have another name for the place: The Sugar Shack.
The reason for this is that it looks like a little cabin.
We're pleased that the petite, wooden building is white with green trim, because the color scheme is the same as on the old Jobe home in Cunot.
Although my mom has been more of a conventional coffee drinker than I've ever been, I'm more into the fancy stuff. No problem, however. When we go there together, there are lots of other choices such as iced tea, hot tea, hot chocolate, smoothies, and Italian sodas.
Lately, when I've been going there alone--generally, after swinging past Zinszer's--I've been getting whatever the featured coffee is (Check the writing on the window) and iced tea that I've ended up giving a whole new attitude.
Let's back up here for a second...
After awhile, John decided that he wanted to move out of town, so he sold the business to a couple named Dave and Lisa. They got into the habit--which I really liked--of including a chocolate-covered coffee bean with each cup of coffee.
In time, they also set up a second store inside of Community Hospital.
Then, Lisa got homesick for her sons who lived in Louisiana, so she left Indiana to go back there. Dave and his mother considered selling the place, but, in the meantime, a mother of two boys (Luke and Dylan) named Sherry was hired to keep it open.
Dylan is (as of this writing) in fifth grade, so he's not there that much. However, Luke (a very bright and friendly four-year-old) helps out at the place when he's not in pre-school. He's both very innocent and professional at the same time, and that's so heartwarming.
It looks as if On the Go Espresso will be operating for quite some time, because Dave and his mom decided to have an auction, but nobody bid anything that satisfied them. I can't say that I'm disappointed.
If Sherry had her way--as in, if she could afford it--she would love to buy the place anytime that Dave and his mom might decide to sell it in the future. Who knows? By the time they decide, once more, that it's time to sell, Sherry just might be able to afford it.
Oh yes! In case you're wondering about the new attitude I've given to the iced tea...
It all began when Sherry was out of artificial sweetener, so I suggested that she flavor it with one of the flavors used with the Italian sodas. The results were yummy, to say the least.
I've tried it with several of the flavors now, and not once have I been disappointed. This morning, I had it flavored with peach mango, and it about knocked my socks off, because it was so absolutely-scrumptious. Probably, the only reason it DIDN'T knock my socks of was that I wasn't wearing any.
Hot drink or cold drink, Sherry includes a coffee bean with each one unless she has run out--and she also stamps my card so that, when I earn nine stamps, I'll get the next drink on the house.
This cute building has two order windows--one on its east side and one on its west side, so you end up with your coffee, etc. without even leaving your vehicle.
If you drop by there, tell Sherry that AJ sent you!
Ainsley Jo P.
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