Horizon - Whatcom Community College News, October 11, 2004

The Black Drop Coffeehouse

by Jon Jurardo

There are countless places to go for a cup of coffee, but not many have an owner like Alexarc Mastema, who has been around coffee for 14 years. Mastema takes special care in the preparation of each cup of coffee at The Black Drop Coffeehouse on the corner of Grand Avenue and West Champion.

Jonathan Lawson, a staff member, said that customers come in for the safe and friendly environment, and a great cup of coffee.

The coffee shop is filled with smiling, talkative people. Some are doing school work, while others are just hanging out.

"I come to relax and have a good cup of coffee," said Jesse Richardson, a coffee drinker.

Thomas Vroom and Chris Fernandez, at the shop for the first time because their usual coffee shop was closed, said the coffee and service were good. "I would recommend it," Fernandez said.

The coffee shop actually started from the Internet. Owners Teri Bryant and Alexarc Mastema, along with other friends, were part of a Web site called "livejournal.com", and after they opened the coffeehouse many mambers of the site came there to meet. Lawson pointed out eight members that were at the Black Drop on one day alone.

The coffee shop is small, with two rooms separated by a partition. The first section has a few easy chairs and a front counter for orders. The other section has easy chairs and tables along the walls and tables in the middle. A book collection ranges from the Holy Quar'an to The X-Files.

The cafe offers snacks such as bagels, cookies, brownies, scones, and muffins. The Black Bottom Muffin is a specialty of the house.

Chess enthusiasts can pull up a seat at the chess board which is open to everyone. For anyone who needs wireless Internet connection, Black Drop has it. The connection is cable internet and there are many places to set up. Or patrons can just sit back and relax, listen to a variety of music and enjoy the artwork, or view of downtown Bellingham. Black Drop is open Monday through Saturday and the hours vary from day to day.