I JUST SOLD THE LAST BAG OF EXTRA BUUUUTTTTEEERRRR THAT WILL EVER BE SOLD IN THIS ESTABLISHMENT.



Now you will have to add your own.

Try Dark City's Mörkstad instead. Fruity, winey, spicy! A lovely full flavour that lets you taste the beans, not just the roast. And if you really need a darker coffee, we'll always carry Intelli's El Diablo.

Hey internets. My name's John and now I work at the Main Street Mercury. I think this is bitchin. I work in another coffee shop in Schomberg (you've never been there, have you? It's nice. Schompton, we call it.) Anyway, the other shop's called Grackle Coffee. I drink a reasonable amount of coffee.

Hi!

Hey guys, this is young Matt. I am just blogging to show you this movie poster. Really that's all. Look at the juxtaposition of that skull. Check out that sweet typeface. So perfect. Whoever made this poster had the bollywood horror film market cornered, I'm telling ya. Such a beaut.
Oh man, Tofu just walked in. Have you seen this guy?
Last week he had a 'stache going on and he looked like a psychology professor.
Check out this other image. I think it's a box. Actually I'm not sure. I really enjoy this picture. Just think of the effort that the photographer had to make not only to keep himself from deleting it, but to upload it to his computer AND post it on the internet. Trooper!

So there I was, in the middle of the wild jungles of... northern Ontario. Surrounded by exotic... cottage-dwellers. Making my coffee in.... a percolator. OH YE HEART OF DARKNESS

While I was 'roughing it', as they say, everyone coming down to Merc@Queen has been enjoying a particularly pleasurable batch of Ethiopian Sidamo. I keep hearing how great it is, how sweet and berry-like the aroma, how chocolate-y the finish is. So, I got some more-- we'll have the Sidamo for another few days beyond the norm.

But wait! There's more!

There are some really fine coffees coming out of Ethiopia right now, and we want to share them with you. Next up, later this week, we'll be introducing a Yirgacheffe (or, if you prefer, Yergacheffe) single-origin espresso, roasted by Origins (the purveyors of our fine new espresso blend, which you've had if you've ordered a short of espresso, a macchiato, or cappuccino). Then, come the weekend or so, we'll be putting on another Sidamo, also courtesy of Origins. This one, it has been assured me, is out of this world, so plan a trip down.

Oh, and if a feature latte isn't your cuppa, ask us to make your cap or espresso a feature. These beans were roasted with the intention of being served as espresso, so they hold up spectacularly.

According to Metric Conversion
Three hundred & fifty-two point eight millimeters (352.8mm)
is equal (=) to
Thirteen point eight eight nine seven inches (13.8897'')
(The Metric System is correctly known as the SI system- standing for the International System of Units and has been since 1960. Just thought id throw in a few little know facts).
So whats the answer Neil???
Why can't I know?
So now you're keeping things from me? I knew it from the start Rankin... you're just no good! But you do take some fine looking photos...

THREE HUNDRED & FIFTY-TWO POINT EIGHT MILLIMETERS.

Whoever comes in with an answer as to what I am referring to you will get a free glass of "something" from me, NEIL. I'm here at Mercury on Queen until three o'clock today. Come on down if you have any ideas. First person in (with the correct answer of course) wins!

So brave the rain and come on down!

See y'all real soon.

-Neil.

Hey Mercurians,
I have a questionae for yas...what exactly is the holiday that occured yesterday? I know it's a civic holiday but seriously what kinda holiday is that? I'll tell ya lame. i couldn't put ma darn cheque in the bank because they had no envelopes what-so-ever. Thanks civic holiday. I'd rather have a honda civic that's all customized, with spinning rims, those blue undercarriage lights and pretty much too fast too, furious... maybe even thrice fast, thrice furious, tokyo drift. If you catch my drift.
I just wanted to espresso meself. Oh well holiday pay is time and a half, so I'll just sit on my cheques fer now. I guess I enjoyed my stay-cation. I did see Sabastien Tellier in concert last night after work and it was thrice fast, thrice furious......
TOKYO DRIFT?



__Alex L.

Neil,

SORRY BUDDY!!!
Here's a kitten:




Really sorry!!

-Matt

Dear internet, wonderful series of tubes.
This is young Matt (better Matt) just filling you in that tomorrow morning is Amber's last day at mercurée. I think she's going to hang out on the west side of this continent for a while and then make her way back to New York City where she'll be working at café grumpy.
Amber, sorry if you have any stalkers. I kind of just filled them in on your itinerary.
OH WELL.
I THINK FOR THE REST OF THIS ENTRY I AM JUST GOING TO TALK IN CAPS LOCK AND WHORE SOME STUFF. WE GOT SOME MEXICAN OAXACA, MAKE SURE YOU MISPRONOUNCE IT AS "OAKS-A-KA" WHEN YOU ORDER, BECAUSE THAT MAKES US PRETTY GLAD. ALSO WE ARE USING ORIGINS FOR CAPS AS WELL AS SHOTS NOW, BECAUSE IT RULES. TYPING IN CAPS MAKES YOU FEEL POWERFUL, BUT ONLY IF YOU HOLD DOWN THE SHIFT BUTTON WITH YOUR PINKY (WEAK) FINGER. CAPS LOCK IS FOR SISSIES.
OH DAAYYUUUUMMMM, WE ALSO HAVE SOME SWEET NEW PHOTOGRAPHY DISPLAYED ON THESE WALLS. IF YOU LIKE SEEING DAVID MILLER IN NYC, GET DOWN HERE IMMED.

PLEASE COME DOWN AND SEE AMBER TOMORROW. BRING HER GIFTS. ALSO, BRING ME GIFTS (ANYTIME), BUT MOSTLY JUST BRING GIFTS, SMILES AND TEARS FOR AMBER. SHE HELPED MAKE MERCURY WHAT IT IS TODAY WITH HER EXPANSIVE KNOWLEDGE AND EXCELLENT PERSONALITY, AND I'M NOT KIDDING. WE WILL ALL MISS HER DEARLY BECAUSE SHE IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!

-SLUGGER

EDIT: I accidentally thought that yesterday (Saturday) was Sunday. Amber isn't actually going until tomorrow (Monday). Sorry about the confusion.

Buzzword of the season: stay-cation - to take a vacation in the place in which one dwells.

Hilarious I know. But with soaring gas prices the marketers have concocted this crazy combination of consents and vowels to cure us of our crappy constant. I don't know about you guys but I've had a blast this summer. Zipping around the city on my two-wheeled pedal machine has prevented any such desire to get away to a far away beach resort surrounded by people who remind me how tans can go horribly wrong.

Speaking of soaring gas prices, coffee farmers in Kenya (God-bless their hardworking souls) have felt the pinch even harder than a mere inconvenience to their vacation plans. They've got this 'stay-cation' dance down. And replace any sort of 'cation' with business as usual producing some of the best fruits in the world with reduced staff, double the shipping costs, and half the profits. No, they aren't saving for a sandy retreat, they're trying to feed their kids. Would I pay $14.00 for a half pound of Kenya Gaturiri Auction Lot? Hells yeah. Nevermind the logistics of supporting whatever, whatever, whatever, I'm not going to preach, it's just effin' amazing coffee. It's smells like a steaming plate of bolognese sauce. Mmmm savoury!

Try it. Or piss off to Miami and join the other douchbags working on their 'tans'. (In the nicest possible way)

a-tronic out

I'll ask you this...
what is it like to be Alice Berg in Berlin?
I feel that only one person could answer that question... and that person is me.
HI GUYS! HI MERC STAFF! HI MERC REGS! HEY THERE ALL YOU BEAUYIFUL PEOPLE!
So i have to get this out of the way... I miss the coffee. i REALLY miss the coffee. I'm not saying that i havent had a good cup (there have been a few) but i miss my mercury.
Berlin is amazing. I'm here for the next few weeks hanging out with friends and my twin brother.
To be honest i have no idea how you kids are cause the blog hasnt filled me in. so here it is, my plea, start writing blogs!
So I guess i should keep my blog post PG 13.... so ill just put a * to keep it short and sweet
i have been going out all the time. Last night we ended up at this sorta underground club and didnt make it home before the sun.*
I had an amazing time in London. I went to sports day (really an event that all jobs should have). It was a day put on for my friends office- the idea is that you go to this big park and play games like football and tug of war. But really you go to drink. My sports day was a 12 hour marathon where i kept up my drinking with 5 british guys.** All i can say is this- naw...maybe i can't say anything.***********
Paris was beautiful. I met up with our merc friends Aaron and Craig for a few hours. So nice to see them (you guys are really amazing. so nice to meet up in paris!). I spent lots of time walking around, drinking a beer and reading in parks.
Then came Vienna. Rain. So much rain.
And then prague... really old, really beautiful.
And now its Berlin for a while.
Adrian- sorry i have yet to take a photo with batman. I'll make sure to take him out tonight.
Ok...well hope you are all doing well. D.H and L.M.D... I miss my kittens.
I'll try to keep you in the loop, please do the same.
So to all the merc- ers....
Hi from Berlin.

Hey, Hey, Haaaaay,
Me noma es Alex, last name Lee, if yer awunderin'. This is me premiera blog, for all y'all blog-diggy-dawgs. New to the Merc-family, I've been workin' at the Merc. on Main for over a month now and yes I sointenly enjoy it! Business has been pickin' up at the Mercury on Main, my latte art has been improvin'. I've created some feathery deals, some onion hearts, and got some pretty good contrast goin'.
Now I don't know if y'all heard, but are havin' a GRaNd oPEnInG on Satyerday, JU-LY the twenty-sixtha!! Tatooine is sparsley populated, and we are gonna turn this mother out! Those are 2 definate facts that you can count on. Soup Kitchen Line Up and Cameron Whitesell will be rockin and boppin non-stoppin for yer musical pleasure.
A signature drink throw-down will most likely blow our collective minds straight outta our collective skulls! If you miss this not only will you be an L7, straight outta squaresville, your tears will flood the streets causing catastrophic casualties. Thus, for the benefit of humanity, mandatory attendence is necessary.

Soooooooo... ever wonder how we got so good at makin' the drinks you love to quaff? The key, of course, is persistence, practice, and constant production (you know how busy it gets in here sometimes). But we're constantly evolving our procedures and methods, choosing new coffees, and learning new techniques, and a large part of this is because of the dialogues we take part in with other coffee houses. Knowledge grows by sharing, the the coffee industry has made progress by leaps and bounds in recent years through the networks of friendships and professional relationships that form at competitions and expos all over the world.

Which brings me to my next point-- did you know that the Central Regional Championship of the Canadian Barista Championships is happening this weekend at the Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place? It's going to be an intense weekend of competition featuring skilled Baristi from all over Ontario, competing for a place in the national competition. Come out and root for Damien and Alex as they bring their A game and wow a panel of judges. There are going to be tonnes of exotic coffee drinks made, too-- I've heard rumours of outlandish ingredients mixed with gusto. It's something you don't want to miss!

About a year ago I was going around Leslieville postering for the Fringe Fest when I happened upon a little espresso bar on the South side of Queen at Morse. While I intended only to find a place in there for a poster, what I really found was a place for me.
Getting to know everyone here at Mercury (not to mention the coffee, which seems also to have it's own personalities) has been a wonderful part of my life. So much so, that I decided to stay awhile. So next time you visit Merc@Main, don't be surprised to see me behind the counter.
If, by chance, you haven't yet gotten a chance to visit Mercury East, this is your perfect excuse! Whether you come to sample the pressed coffee (available in the mornings from 7-10), or to meet that friend who you always mean to see (but don't because they live all the way in the East end), or just to tease the noob, we're happy to have you.
Cheers, Hannah

Hey Matt! (Taylor).

Blog you!

In lieu of a bona fide blog today I leave this as my last sentiment as I exit 915 Queen Street East.

Adieu!

-Mischievously yours, Neil (Rankin).

Hello, Jamy again
Today at merc 2 (main and gerrard) it was pretty steady in the morning but quite slow now.
Last friday after closing we had a little get together to taste our new espresso blend from origins.
We took some polaroid photos throughout the night that's now under the glass on our table for all our "for here" customers to see. Also we had a latte art competition where myself, my sister carolyn and her good friend stef we chosen as the judges the good old fashioned way, picking names out of a hat. Damien from the merc on queen took the bronze, my lovely manager alex tran had the silver, and Sam from Manic Coffee won the gold... and the 40 bucks.
Today I made my first half decent latte, and now ill go back to practicing
ciao

I'm no good with good byes. In fact, if I could ever get away with it, I just leave functions without saying a word to anyone. I figure I'll see them again soon. Yet I must at this point note the significance of the departure of our beloved Berg, Alice.

There's really no other way to put this so simply; Mercury will not be the same without you. Nevermind the endless smiles, the silly-willies, the brilliant anecdotes. Nevermind your beaming personality, loving attention, your cat-like reflexes. You are so much part of Mercury as the beans are. We will endure our amputee condition for a while, endure, but not forget, and then prevail. We must. Such is the way when it rains, we'll get wet knowing that eventually we'll dry off.

Feel free at this point to share your favorite Berg stories.

We'll be holding a Berg-off ceremony at Betty's on King at Sherborne on Tuesday around 5pm. Contact staff for more details.

Hello; my name is Alice DiBergi. I'm a filmmaker. I make a lot of commercials. That little dog that chases the covered wagon underneath the sink? That was mine. In 2005, I went down to Greenwich Village, New York City to an espresso bar called Electric Banana. Don't look for it; it's not there anymore. But that night, I was introduced to baristas that for me redefined the word "Pull and Pour". I remember being knocked out by their... their exuberance, their raw power - and their punctuality. That bunch was Toronto's now-legendary Mercury Staff. Two years and two shops later, The mercury staff is still going strong. And they've earned a distinguished place in Espresso Bar History as one of Toronto's loudest joints. So in the late fall of 2007, when I heard that Merc was opening a new shop called Mercury "Smell the Glove" on Main, and was planning their first of 2 new locations after 2 years, well needless to say I jumped at the chance to make the documentary - the, if you will, "rockumentary" - that you're about to see. I wanted to capture the... the sights, the sounds... the smells of a hard-working espresso bar. And I got that; I got more... a lot more. But hey, enough of my yakkin'; whaddaya say? Let's boogie!

Well kids. If it's a blog referencing Spinal Tap... it's got to be a berg original.
Its just gotta be!

Costa Rica, now closer than a flight over seas. If you missed our delectable press this morning don't you fret! Give us a few minutes and this stellar coffee will be awaiting your lips at the rim of your cup, with it's indulging flavors practically jumping out of your mug straight down your throat.
Not impressed? Well then, I think we have just the thing for you. As of today Mercury on Main has a splendid twist to our lattes. Featured Latte?! Now please, please tell me what this magnificent drink you speak of is?!
Well here it is folks, one of the most flavorful beverages your taste buds can anticipate. Presenting to you the infamous Bali! This tempting drink will bring you into a euphoric bliss conquering your mind so you believe you're swimming in a sea of nutty goodness.

Well, Kadence, that was a mouthful. I'll keep it brief on my end and say that I concur with all that the K-Fabe has said.

THUNDERSTRIKE!!!!!

Come on in out of the rain and enjoy some warm warm beverages.

See ya round!

Over & out,

Kadence & Neil.

Yo, my name's Jamy and I was recently hired here at Merc.
Im pretty sure I'm the youngest here at 15 and have been here for two weeks.
So far, since I'm working at the new place at Main and Gerrard, it hasn't been too busy.
Alex has been my main trainer or whatever and its been pretty fun so far, except waking up early on Saturday but you gotta work hard for your money.
But yeah overall working in the mornings is pretty nice, not too stressful.
Ive gotta say I love my lattes, and I dont usually like my coffee black. But the press today is Bali 'paradise valley' and its pretty refreshing and clean, and I can hear alex saying it has low acidity. I've actually been to Bali just over a year ago, monkeys everwhere, climbing my mom to get her food. I wish a could go back mmmm so warm but now ill just enjoy their coffee right here in mercury.
Come by and say hello, hopefully soon I'll learn how to make some good coffee. Right now im just the lemonade lady and cashier.

Hey bros, does, foes, 'n' joes, y'all can't say we don't slang the good stuff. I got a lil extra for you today-- we're pumpin' out sweet juices from Origins, to the order of their gorgeous espresso blend. Flowery bouquet, drizzles of chocolate and red fruit, with a mocha finish that'll sing from your belly all day long. We're talking pure Handel, all triumpant ringing of angels in the heavens, none of that Wagnerian Götterdamerung in the pit of your gesamtkunstwerk.

Ch-check it out: Word to our homies in Chicago and LA, Intelli. I was laying my eyes over BoingBoing Dot Net today and I'd be frontin' if I didn't tell you Intelli makes a couple guest spots, showing my brothers at home how to brew honey nectar. Check yourself before you wreck yourself below.

If the videos don't show up on this page, check them out here and here.

Brazil, Brazil....

you can't drink cherry soda cause they got to fill their quota,
and the way things are they better never will!
Cause they got a lot of coffee in Brazil.

When your ham and eggs need savour,
Koffee ketchup gives them savour,
coffee pickles way outsell the dill,
Oh they put coffee in their coffee in Brazil.

No tea, or tomato juice-- you'll see, no potato juice. (Vodka, I guess?)
Cause the planners down in Santos all say "No, no, no!"
The politician's daughter was accused of drinking water,
and was fined a great big fifty-dollar bill!
Yeah, they got a lot of coffee in Brazil.

Doo doo do doo doo do do do doo.....

Brazil.....Brazil.....

What a fine coffee you've produced
Thanks Intelli for introduce-
Ing me to the beans of

Brazil......

Doo doo do doo doo do do do doo...

Fazenda Do Sertao.
Fresh from Brazil.
Like a big stick of butter. Melted into a perfect cup of coffee. The temptational aroma will send tingling vibrations throughout your tongue, leaving you satisfied and craving another sip, if not another mug.
Brewed up in your very own french press, availible today at Mercury on Main.

Come on down! Or Up! Or over....Wherever you come from it's worth the trek to 126 Main Street. Kadence would be pleased to meet you. As would I.

Your humble and loyal barista's here at Mercury :]

See, that's just not cool. Much like PDA (public displays of affection), stomach cleavage, and swastika tattoos, there are many things you shouldn't do in public. Getting caught on camera with your manager's filthy sausages in your nose ranks high amongst the aforementioned faux pas. I know you think you're trying to be edgy but facial orifice exploration is just plain annoying. If you really wanted to shock us, try out a new self-satisfying technique while doing your best Amy Winehouse impression and document that for us.

Speaking of satisfying, we're serving French Press coffee up here at Main and Gerrard from 7-10am. This week is an exceptionally well roasted Kenya 'AA' from the Karundu Estate. It's subtle floral notes, with a clean finish, is so addicting that Amy herself would ween herself off that good stuff just to get seconds of this fine cup of joe. Well, maybe not but it is THAT good. Test me. I dare you.

&

S

If you can solve this puzzle, you can take your pick from a mountain of toys!


in love,
Doug and Matt

Well good morning Mercury in Leslieville, it is I, Mercury on Main writing to you. While you are busy fighting off the morning hordes I am left here quietly yearning for your company yet again. I miss your intense gaze in the morning, the scent you leave in my bed, and most of all, your the way you touch my face everyday before we part ways expelling any need to further use anymore words. As I enjoy my morning press of Kenya 'AA' from the Karundu Estate I am reminded of our moment in the raspberry field where you said we would never be apart. We enjoyed a milkshake later that night and I remembered feeling so scared because I didn't know how to tell you that I would be moving. I suppose our finish was smooth but I can't wonder why we both didn't fight it. I guess we were both retaining the fantasy that we'd be back together again one day but as the hours pass I see that happening less and less. I will no doubt eventually grow into my own, and obtain my very own army to appease, leaving no time for departures from my new home. We still have Los Immortales Micro-Lot Finca Matalapa from El Salvador and Fazenda Do Sertao from Brazil in common but I'm not sure if that'll be enough. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have always loved you and probably always will, but we must go on with our lives. It's for the best.

Yours Truly,

Mercury on Main
Mercury v2.0

oi! where is everyone? put down your styrofoam robusto coffees, visit the new mercury and have some real joy juice!

all the best,

tofu

The terrorists formed a circle at the intersection of Main and Gerrard, shuffling their feet at the thought of the impending battle. But there would be no battle, only a massacre. They were tired, malnourished, unfocused, and unorganized. Most of all, they were scared. Without the benefit of experience, motivation and clean underwear, they stood no chance against Mercury's best agents. They were only two men but with the calibers they possessed (literally and figuratively speaking) they could obliterate armies of thousands.
The taller of the two started to grin as he sized up his opponents. Thunder crackled in the distant and the air started to move as droplets started to appear on the terrorists faces.
One finally let out a whimper, dropped his weapon and started to run. In a flash the deserter fell on his face with a blade exposed from his neck.
And that was it. That was all the terrorists needed to see to confirm their suspicions as they abandoned their posts one by one.
The Upper Beach/Lower East York region was safe again from desolation. The heroes had arrived.

Mercury Two in effect, y'all!!!!


It sure is time to say 'crazy!' because How Now Brown Cow: the second Mercury store is open!!! I know- totally OMG, right? Well you said it, because if you go to Main and Gerrard and walk South a bit on the West side, you'll run into some super alright dudes named Neil and Alex who are just dyin' to make you a creamy wet mouth drink. Humminah humminah! They'll be steady rippin' it from 7 am to 7 pm everyday everyday everyday.

Saturday Morning Funboys Time, ok???!!!!!!!!!




I'm Damien Zielinski reporting from Mercury One. (Speaking of which, the vibe is so real here right now that you could cut it with a knife.)

One Love.

Hello Mercurians,

My name is Tofu, and I'm going to start at the new Mercury at Main and Gerrard. I'm not sure when I start, but I hope to see you there soon.

All the best,

Tofu

BATTLE OF THE BLOGGERS

Its a little intense today in Mercury, and the staff are restless.........

After muscling one of our dear Mercurial customers out of the way, I will now begin our regular broadcast, Susanna's Sunday Session.

Not familiar? Well pull up a chair and a Costa Rica Tarrazu Feature Latte and get comfortable my chickadees. I mean with closing time occurring at 3pm tomorrow, you'll be wanting to soak up all the Mercury goodness you can today right?

Fear not, don't panic, and don't do anything crazy if you aren't a regular blog reader (I'm not judging you.....) you might not know but with the excitement of new store openings we are installing a fancy-schmancy new machine tomorrow evening and you know we are worth the wait.

Ease your nerves with a oatmeal peanut butter cookie, thats right.......... nibble...........breathe........ nibble again......and relax..............

TA-TA ALICE!! I AM GOING TO BEAT YOU IN A FIGHT OF FISTS!! YOU WILL RUE THE DAY YOU EVER MET ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's the dawn of a new era at Mercury. As I'm sure you all know, we will soon be opening two, count 'em, two new locations-- one at Gerrard and Main, and another at Church and Front. Of course, we can't have three locations operating on only one espresso machine-- so we brought out the big guns.

Check it: it's the Synesso Cyncra three-group espresso machine, the Cadillac of the industry. Under the hood, she's got a 6-litre V10 engine, pushing shots out with 558 horsepower and 330 pounds of torque. Her 6-speed manual transmission lets you blast from zero to sixty in under 4 seconds, with a top speed of more than 200 miles per hour. That's pretty remarkable for an espresso machine, but even then, we wanted more. We custom ordered a hot rod show-quality air intake and ripped out the second seat to add nitrous injectors, upped the suspension to double wishbone, and lowered the chassis three inches. Now, this mean mother looks a lil something like this:
Pretty sweet, eh?

So anyway, we have to install her behind the bar, so we're doing it on Monday, from about 3 onwards. While we'd love to have you all in to see the magic, it'll be a bit of a bumpy ride, so we're closing up shop at 3, so if you need to rev up for the night, better come in before we take off.

EDIT: This post used to say 5, but it will actually be around 3 when we're closing down for the day. Props Ryan.

It was a dark and stormy day, but things at Mercury are HOT HOT HOT! Today's eye candy consists of Damien, Alex, Alice, and the new guys Doug and Matt. And if the sizzling barristas aren't your thing, the feature lattes are sure to grab your attention. This week's feature is the India Monsooned Malabar, yours for the low low price of four hundred and ninety-five pennies.

If per chance you can't handle the heat, or if by some freak act of nature we get some sun today, you may like to enjoy one of Mercury's delicious iced beverages. They come in quite a few varieties, such as the sweet and smooth iced mocha or the zesty and refreshing iced lemonade, made fresh per order especially for you.

And if that doesn't warm your innards, have a cold-hearted laugh at the expense of hilarious small children being bored in the car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

Sincerely,
your favourite regular,
Hannah~

P.S. If you're not content enough with the coffee that you just ordered, you can always picture the mercury staff in speedos, lathered in coconut oil, and completely ripped. In the advent of summer, that's what I've been doing all morning (really all week) long. It makes the time fly like bees.

-Matt

Where does one go on a rainy day like this? I mean besides hiding out at an espresso bar. Where, seriously, where?

a

You know what are cool? Monkeys. you know what else is cool? wallabies. now smack them together and voila......but ya really wonder what kinda party they are going too. drink coffee bitches!!!!

-drink more Hayterade haters

Who brings the coffee coffee? I bring the coffee coffee!!!!! Thats right, i'm back to blogging, and i'm not the doe-eyed, shy newbie I was last time around, thats right, i know you've seen me, steaming and pouring my way into your heart. Well its six steps later and it is sunny to the max so what better reason to pedal over for a tasty iced treat???? Myself, I'm rockin the iced soy latte of mad deliciousness. Oh yes, its mad delicious.

I wish you the sunniest of sunny times in from the bottom of my ......So before you start your long weekend early by bringing in the 2-4 for your 24, waltz on over and say hi to all.......i miss you.


Yours in super perky caffeinated solidarity,

Susanna!!!!!!!!

Adrian's got this blogging thing down. "The first sentence that pops into my head," he says, " I go with." Me, I feel like I need to think it though. Where can I take it? Will I have enough material?
Man it has been hell of out of sight here what with we are listening to Fela Kuti and drinkin' chill iced drinks -- can't let the weather get you down when we are six steps from sunny summer. Grinding great gouts of good beans, before brewing buckets of brew and whippin up some wicked white stuff for cappuccinos and lattes. We've got some new coffees on press, so we'll sample and report back to you soon. It's gonna be

New Matt: Everyday I work with Alice she hassles me to create a blog post. I don't know about you, but for me, unless I'm in the mood, I find it incredibly difficult to write something out of nothing. The other day I suggested that we get a customer to write a blog in order to show "a customer's mercury experience" (she totally bought it). However, Today I'm sort of getting out of it because AMBER has never even written a blog! That puts me three or four up on her! So without further ado...

Amber: Hi! well, i gotta say, i'm a little nervous, some stage fright even... i mean, the precedent on this blog is pretty astoundingly awesome and consistently kickass... its a lot to live up to, really.
so, i may not be one for words so much, at least not on a monday morning... but i'm told i make good coffee. and today, i have something special for y'all.. if you hurry down to the Merc in the next hour or so, i'll pull you an amazing shot of Andrew Barnett's Ecco Reserve Espresso, which i think is pretty much exactly like the comfort food (think mom's spagetti and meatballs) of coffee.
i'll smile at you too!

and i promise to blog more often.

Nas, Ghostface, Mos Def, Immortal Technique, Raekwon, Dead Prez, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde!!!!! And there are even more amazing acts that will Rocking the Bells this year. So now that all of the heads out there have stopped creaming their panties at this orgasm inducing news its time to pull out all your old old records and start studying. I know it seems like a daunting task but all ya gotta do is load up your respective music listening device and start cramming your brain with beats and let them bounce you back to the days yesteryear. Days of cutting classes to drink in parks then subsequently running from cops for drinking in the park and skipping school. So just ride the nostalgia and sweet tunes until that glorious july day when every head's wet dream comes true.

oh and don't forget to thank your momma for squeezing your screaming ass outta her Va-jj.

eat your peas and carrots, peace

Alright, so I'mma take it down a notch and talk about conversations. Real talk. I was in London last weekend and met a local roaster, and had an interesting discussion. Basically, he told me about the ethical issues he deals with when procuring and selling beans, and they are numerous. I'll bet a lot of you, dear readers, have seen the documentary Black Gold, and that gives you some idea of the markup that occurs between the purchase of beans and their sale after roasting. The fact of the matter is that the farmers, working long, hard hours in developing countries, are making only a tiny fraction of what the coffee is worth.

Anyway, the roaster I was talking to mentioned that he had ramped up his production recently and was nearing a point where his profit margin would be exceedingly comfortable. So comfortable, in fact, that any profit over and above it, he said, would be reinvested in the coffee's source.

Here's a movement I can really get behind. Intelligentsia's been doing this for a while, and they've even recorded it in their statement of principles. Treating the growers with the same respect we have for other artisans-- and yes, their work is a specialized art-- is a major step to righting the history of wrongs that is the current state of the coffee industry. Our suppliers provide an alternative to the poorly grown beans that larger growers-- whose names I won't mention here, but you know who I'm talking about-- pay chintzy amounts for. Coming to the Merc-- and other independent, ethically-inclined local coffee joints-- is like a vote with your wallet for a more responsible industry. And it benefits you in the end: better conditions mean better coffee.

Doug is back! No longer in China, Doug likes to hang out, have a coffee, and run the place. If you like the sound of that you can call 555-5555.
So here we are...
Alex and I ripping it up in an espresso bar near you. Good vibes.
In other news...
I, Alice Berg, am on my way to becoming a grease monkey. Sporting orange coveralls, I was knee deep in Varsol. Don't worry... I was also elbow deep in rubber gloves. With Keef as my mentor, I'm set. Updates will be posted.
Check this out- We will be pouring the Intelligentsia Decaf Black Cat. That's right decaf drinkers, we're pulling out all the stops for you. Life drinking decaf is hard, lets help ya out. So let us know what you think. like the difference? hate it? Didn't know we were even giving you decaf?
over and out
The Berg