Inspired by
hotcommodity By RACHEL SAYERS
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Photos by KYRA WILLNER
ocated on a side street in uptown Athens lies a small, locally-owned treasure: Donkey Coffee. The cafe, with dim lights and an eclectic atmosphere, acts as both a harbor and launch point for the novel musings and creative passion of Ohio University students and Athens community members alike. “I was excited about the idea of the coffee shop,” said Chris Pyle, one-half of Donkey’s husband-wife team. “I like the idea of people in the community working through issues of the day (here).” Chris and his wife Angie started Donkey with a vision of bringing the
students and community together, and encouraged this connection through live music, open stages and poetry nights. The Donkey atmosphere certainly encourages coming together; there are people from all walks of life coming together over organic chai and mutual proclivity. The owners of Donkey, however, are not naive enough to believe that the name and program alone will draw the crowd needed to keep their shop thriving. They rely on all of the senses to keep their creative coterie stimulated, often permeating the air half a block deep with the smell of cinnamon and roasted coffee during their daily baking and brewing sessions. OUTHREADMAG.COM | 101