By By: Ash Hochstettler
Staff-Writer
South Bend has quickly become a hotspot for coffee shops within the last couple of years. Recently, many new coffee shops have been brought to the area, creating many wonderful options. Sharing my love for coffee is my passion as a local barista in the South Bend community, and I am so excited to be able to share my adventures in new cafes.
The Local Cup is an adorable little coffee shop on the northwest side of South Bend. It’s located at 1009 Portage Ave.
The Local Cup is unique in the fact that it is a “pay-it-forward” organization. This means that they have no set prices for the drinks, and you choose to pay whatever you can afford. On top of that, the shop is run entirely by young volunteers.
The shop has local art displayed on the walls and the inside feels like a cozy, vintage cabin. There is seating both inside and outside with funky mismatched furniture. The space always has posters advertising local events, which is also a great way to give back to the community.
There are some fun seasonal drinks throughout the year as well as some coffee basics. The Local Cup sources coffee beans from both Zen and Bendix, local shops in South Bend, for the drinks. When I visited last, I had a caramel apple cider, which was probably the best drink I’ve had from there so far.
The café is always quiet and has free Wi-Fi for anybody looking to work or study. There are also a few spots to plug in and charge devices if needed.
The Local Cup is one of my favorite hidden gems in the South Bend Community. I also think it’s the perfect place to unwind and find some quiet in the world. It is definitely one of my top study spot suggestions for any student in the area.
Rating: 4.5/5 coffee cups
