By JOYCE BEVERLY
jbeverly@thecitizen.com

“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.” - The theme song to “Cheers”

Has it ever been more true?

Well now there is a place in Fayette County “where everybody knows your name.”
At It’s A Grind, the coffee’s great, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, and you’re never a stranger.

Owners Ron and Susan Primrose opened this neighborhood coffee house across from Piedmont-Fayette Hospital in the summer of 2007. Unparalleled customer service, inviting, upholstered chairs, cozy fireplace, sunny patio and free wireless have made their establishment an oasis for regulars.

Ron retired from the Air Force, having flown B-52s in Vietnam, as a lieutenant colonel. When he retired a second time from a major commercial airline career, the 20-plus year Fayette resident was looking for a way to give back to the community. There’s no better solution, he decided, than opening a local business.

Top-notch employees, “the best of the best,” work alongside the Primroses to serve specialty coffees, traditional espresso and ice blended coffee drinks, tea and tea-based drinks, and delicious bakery items.

“Our product is head and shoulders above the competition in taste and quality,” Primrose confidently says.

It’s A Grind begins with the finest Arabica coffees, micro-roasted in small batches to create the smoothest, freshest, and best-tasting coffee. Seven varieties are brewed at all times. These coffees vary in flavor and intensity, with the most popular being Mocca Java, a winey, spicy blend with a hint of creaminess. The House Blend, a nutty flavor with a soft, sweet finish, and a decaf version is served fresh all day. Silky smooth Vanilla Nut, rich Hawaiian Hazelnut, and ruggedly intense High Octane are also popular with regulars.

Your favorite whole bean coffee may be purchased to take home, along with a unique assortment of mugs and gift items, including gift baskets.

If you’re an espresso lover, pay close attention. Unlike other notable coffee houses, It’s A Grind pulls your espresso shot by hand, the old-fashioned way.
With many customers, blended drinks take center stage. It’s A Grind’s original Iced, Blended Mocha tops this menu. Other favorites include iced, blended White Chocolate Mocha, made with Ghirardelli white chocolate, Triple Chocolate Mocha, Road Warrior (a blended mocha with real chocolate covered espresso beans), and Mint Chip Mocha.

The blended drink menu dresses up seasonally. Raspberry Truffle, an iced blended mocha with raspberry chocolate and marshmallow syrup, is presently playing, but previous favorites are made upon request. Coconut Crunch seems to be the most enduring, but Bavarian Black Cherry, Butter Brickle Blonde, Aztec Mocha, Funky Monkey, and White Chocolate Peppermint Bark are also frequent orders.

Ron coarsely grinds beans for the cold-brewed coffee base of these drinks on site.

Several customers have concocted their own blends. “Scott’s Drink” and “Teddy Bear” are among other personalized recipes stashed away for regulars.

Not a coffee fan? “Uncoffee” specials include spiced Chai Tea Latte, hot and iced teas, Passion Fruit Iced Tea, black and green tea, served hot or iced, hot chocolate, Italian Steamers, Steamed Caramel Apple Cider and five flavors of smoothies.

Healthy alternatives include 15 sugar-free specialty drinks.

Need some sustenance with your favorite brew? It’s A Grind serves freshly baked muffins, scones, biscuits, Danish and cinnamon rolls. Six varieties of New York boiled bagels, toasted upon request, are served with cream cheese.

Heartier offerings include various croissants stuffed with ham and cheese, sausage and egg, bacon, egg and cheese, spinach and cheese, or chicken salad. For the sweeter tooth, cookies, turtle cheesecake, cannolis, lemon bars and chocolate domes are favorites.

And then there’s the serendipity: Last week you could find a delightful heart-shaped, iced crisped rice treat for your valentine.

It’s A Grind is also kid-friendly. Non-coffee iced and blended drinks, Italian soda, and homemade chocolate milk are favorites, but the most requested drink among the younger set is the Iced Blended 50/50, a mixture of fresh-squeezed orange juice with Ghirardelli white chocolate. It sounds a little strange, but has a delicious, Dreamsicle flavor.
Several groups have made It’s A Grind their regular meeting place. Others are welcome and encouraged to call about this service.

On occasional Friday evenings, live entertainment is featured. Offshoot Productions’ Gallery Players, an improv troupe, will perform “Murder Off the Cuff,” at 8:00 on March 6. You can find out more about this event and future events by emailing Ron at ronprim@comcast.net.

“Wouldn’t you like to get away?”
Discover a new retreat at It’s A Grind. Taste the difference and make some new friends too!

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