Camping out at Coffee Camp

A local coffee shop is the perfect place to camp out on your down time

Story and photos by Gabrielle Bilik

Almost hidden in the cluttered faces of the buildings that line the street in downtown Plattsburgh is some of the best coffee that the town has to offer. It is shaded by a thin, forest green awning; above it, the words “Coffee Camp,” are drawn onto a plastic sign in bubble letters designed to look like logs.

When you walk through the door, it’s as if you’ve stepped into someone’s upstate summer home. It is strongly reminiscent of a camp. Everything is earth toned, wooden, and amber-lit. The furniture is wooden, of course, with the exception of a lumpy blue couch created from a pattern that looked as if it was made out of your grandmother’s curtains.

The aroma filling the air is amazing. The coffee is all roasted and seasoned in a local warehouse, so the mixture of coffee flavors filling the air is very enticing. I went in hoping for a hot cup of tea, but the delicious smell made me change my mind and order a cup of coffee.

That was a good choice on my part, because it was the best cup of coffee I’ve had recently. The helpful bearded gentlemen behind the counter ground the beans specifically for my cup of coffee.  I chose the “High Peaks” house blend, which was a savory mix of Columbian Vienna and Columbia Italian beans. It was rich and strong, but it wasn’t bitter or burnt tasting. 

The price points were higher than I expected, my small cup of coffee was $1.75, but the few extra cents were well worth it.  However, the prices of the more elaborate beverages there were low, compared the corporate chains I usually go to.

After finishing my cup and talking to the friendly man behind the counter and the flannel clad customers, I was about ready to go, but I still wanted the cup of tea I originally came in for.  He made me a custom tea blend of yerba mate, chamomile, peppermint, and gunpowder green tea. It was just what I needed for my drive home.

The Coffee Camp has a very homey environment, and the music playing in the background is folksy and calming. It is the perfect place to go if you need to hang out with friendly people and just relax. It is another one of Plattsburgh’s hidden gems squished in the downtown area, and I recommend stopping by next time you’re there.

Which Plattsburgh Coffee Shop is your favorite?