Coffee and Tobacco

I recently accompanied my husband on a business trip to Martinsburg, WV. What is in Martinsburg you ask? Not a whole lot. It’s a quiet place… they do have a mall, and a Wal-Mart but nothing extraordinary there to see. It was a nice time for me to get away, explore the outdoors with our dog, and write for the website.
While I was there, I found the need to pass time while my husband worked with his client. What better time than to search for a local coffee spot and check it out?

As I drove around the historic district of Martinsburg (which was very pretty) I passed a place called “King Street Emporium- Coffee and Tobacco.” I’m not a big tobacco person, but my husband is a cigar aficionado, so I thought, “Why not?”
I walked in and found myself in the company of the shop owner and three older men, all smoking cigars and probably wondering what a girl like me was doing in a cigar shop.
I proceeded to look around, and I noticed a wall of shelves that held jars of coffee. I asked the shop owner about his coffee and he informed me that it was from a local roaster. With this information, he was already earning coffee credibility with me. Next, I decided to try a latte. He had an espresso machine on the opposite wall where he himself prepared espresso drinks for customers. There was nothing fancy or complicated about it. He wasn’t behind a counter, there weren’t fancy logo cups, and he didn’t wear an apron. Something about his simplicity and casualness made me happy.
I tried the latte and there were two things I liked and noticed right away. First, it was hot. Thank goodness. I know there is a certain temperature milk should be for espresso drinks, but rarely do I receive a drink at most shops that is hot enough…usually it’s a lukewarm experience. This latte was the prefect temperature. Second, the espresso was excellent. I didn’t ask for any flavors or sugars and I loved how smooth the drink was. The latte was not too bitter and had a nice complexity.
Then, it was on to the cigars. I don’t know much about cigars, but I know a few brands that my husband likes and so I asked the owner to make a recommendation based on that. We only spent two minutes in the humidor and we picked out a cigar he was confident my hubby would like. I paid for my purchases (which included 1/2 lb of dark roast coffee) and made my way out the shop, stopping only once more to pet the shop cat who was very friendly.

All in all, it was a good experience. It was enjoyable, comfortable and different and I left with a smile. If you ever find yourself in or near Martinsburg, WV, make your way to “King Street Emporium” for a latte and a cigar. I hear that coffee and tobacco compliment each other well.

King Street Emporium