Covered in vines and located behind fraternity row on University Ave, Bordertown Coffee opened its doors in 2004. The coffee shop serves a variety of specialty coffee and tea beverages, along with an assortment of baked goods, including homemade muffins and cookies. 

The former Theta Chi University of Minnesota chapter house is a beautiful and historic building on campus. After the fraternities departure in the early 2000’s the building sat abandoned for multiple years. Some thought it would be demolished as a start Dinkytown’s recent apartment boom; however, Bordertown Coffee was up to the task to renovate and open the building as a coffee shop.

Today the building, built in 1930, has large windows, wooden rails, and historic light fixtures, staying true to the original integrity of the building. This leads to a very homey feel throughout the shop. The homey feel of the building makes for great study spots within as there are multiple rooms, with areas to study and enjoy a drink or pastry. Bordertown’s signature piece is the original fireplace that still rests in the center of the shop, adding to the coziness of the building.

The art within the building is also very noteworthy. Each mug has a personalized painting of the Bordertown logo. Additionally, their menu consists of handwritten art personalizing the shop, including depictions of all of their main beverages and what they consist of. Finally, the walls are given historic photos which give you a history of the building and the campus itself.

Bordertown Coffee also offers a study room that can be rented out for group study sessions. For anyone looking for a place to meet, the business offers both one and two hour time slots for groups of four or more students. This is a great way to get together with a group of friends or classmates in a quiet or conversational location, giving students a great opportunity to enjoy some coffee to stimulate their brain.

I went to Bordertown Coffee last week with my friend Luke Sonka to try a beverage. Walking into the establishment, we immediately noticed the quiet and welcoming atmosphere. As we walked up to the counter I ordered a caramel latte and Sonka stuck to a normal coffee. After receiving our orders, we grabbed a seat next to the fireplace and took out our laptops. The wait time was not bad at all, even during the morning rush. When I received my latte, the latte art quickly caught my eye and added to the presentation. I enjoyed my beverage and the caramel made it just sweet enough.

While leaving the establishment we both noted the kind service that was given to us as we ordered. I feel it is a great place to both study and just grab a coffee for the road.

While having almost 20 years under their belt you can tell the shop cares about both about their customers and employees. From the cleanliness of the shop to the smiles at the counter, Bordertown is the place to go for your coffee. Better than a Starbucks or Caribou you get a cozy feel and a cheaper drink. Therefore next time you are roaming University on your way to class or need a morning pick me up before a game day check out Bordertown Coffee.