Ever since my freshman year, I've been encouraged heavily to spend time at Kofenya, a quaint coffee shop in Uptown Oxford, Ohio. I'm honestly not sure how it has taken me close to 1.5 years for me to make my way up town to this shop, but I finally was able to visit over the past couple of weeks.
Honestly, I've joined the bandwagon of Kofenya. The second I walked in I was immediately hooked. One of my friends encouraged me (not so easily, for the record) to join her one morning at Kofenya. This meant waking up at 6:30 a.m. (read: way too early for an exhausted college student), but something in me was dedicated to going. Everyone told me I should check it out, so that motivated me in even more. We trudged through the brisk morning, leaving behind our warm dorm to walk uptown. Campus was dead, but peaceful at the same time. The trees were twinkling with winter lights and the sun was starting to rise above High Street. That moment was unreal. It was just us, maybe a few other early morning others grabbing a quick coffee, but for the most part, it was silent and strikingly beautiful.
To my surprise, there were a few people already there when we got there. I happily ordered a hot chocolate and breakfast and sat with my friend at the open booth, surprised to be joined with a handful or two of other students doing the exact same things as us. Some came in pairs, others came by themselves, but everyone seemed happy. I immediately fell in love with the place and I was hooked. Kofenya is the ideal representation of a college coffee shop. The space is decorated with tables and couches that somehow don't match, but offer a warm vibe that is appreciated by all. Kofenya is the perfect balance of work-atmosphere, as well as relaxation zone. It's a hub in Oxford for students who are looking to get away from the jaded on campus scene.
There was something about Kofenya's vibe that I automatically fell in love with. It wasn't like most normal chain coffee shops I was used to from home; it was unique. The furniture that doesn't really match, but then again matches perfectly. The chalkboard decorating the bathroom walls and the friendly staff really come together to make a unique atmosphere. It honestly reminds me a lot of Central Perk, the fictional coffee shop in the sitcom, "Friends." The comfortable space makes it easy to spend hours doing homework, or not doing homework and it is great to be able to support a truly unique small business.
Kofenya is an off-campus oasis for those looking for a place to relax. I definitely recommend checking out Kofenya the next time you're looking for a different place to study, catch up on articles, or meet up with friends.
