Dragon's Brew Espresso: An addiction in the making

It is January 18th: I approached the newly paved entrance to what once was a vacant lot for several years. There now sat a finished cute white building with tangerine orange trimmed across the bottom and "Dragon's Brew Espresso" written across the front in bright neon colors.

Writing a review of a new business was going to be difficult. This was the only new business in Albany I could find. The thought of critiquing this coffee stand would mean ordering real caffeinated coffee. I shuddered!  The last caffeinated cup of coffee I tried was at a "Dutch Bros." and it tasted not of fine roasted coffee beans but more like charcoaled burnt beans.

I drove up and to my left was a large white menu board boasting a variety of coffee drinks. There were basic 12 ounce cups of coffee starting at $1.50 and running all the way up to specialty drinks at $4.50.

The window opened and a mature woman looked out. I use the term "mature" with endearment. It was pleasing not to see another teenager using the "tip tactic" of wearing short- shorts. My preference- leave the moon flaunting to the evening sky.

She said hello, she was warm, friendly and very talkative as I ordered a -Soy White Mocha 16 ounce latte. I wondered if it were going to be made correctly. Soy is of the utmost importance, when one is lactose intolerant; the white mocha refers to white chocolate not milk chocolate. She nodded without question. Within two minutes, she handed me the coffee.

While I was paying, the other worker inside leaned out  and said hello. He handed me a little white gift box tied with ribbons and attached was a coffee punch card. He said, "Just a little grand opening welcome gift for you." I said out loud " Hmmm…nice touch."

I thanked them both and then asked if they wouldn't mind if I returned in a couple of hours to ask some questions about the business. Introducing herself, the woman said with pride, “I am the mom of the owner!" Her name was Therressa Coffman she was also the manager.

Driving off, I hesitated for a moment, closed my eyes and inhaled the aroma of the coffee, it smelled wonderful. I slowly touched my lips to the coffee cup feeling the heat, and knowing from experience, not to drink it yet because it was too hot. Torture I thought...the first real cup of caffeinated coffee I have had in a while and I can't drink it yet. The waiting felt like eternity and when I finally sipped the coffee, the first impression was "ahhh very pleasing." It was bold and nutty but did not taste burnt. It was a little too sweet for me but then I always ask for "less syrup" and this time I had forgotten. Admittedly, I was very surprised and found myself wishing I had ordered the largest size.

I returned in two hours, this time with my teenage daughter “Hailey” in tow, wanting in her words "something cold and yummy." Sliding open the window Coffman said, "You're back, would you like something else?"

“Do you have a signature drink?’ I asked.  Coffman nodded and said, "The favorite is called a “Frescante,” it is a specialty iced blended choice of flavors with espresso and it tastes like a candy bar shake."

Of course to the right of me in the passenger seat the typical teenager response- a nod. Then looking up from texting an actual verbal response, “a chocolate muffin too!” While Hailey was savoring her treats in the car, I was invited inside to view the new stand. Entering the building I was introduced to Jessie Peele, a barista in training and Coffman’s brother.

The amount of cars and people who approached while I was interviewing Coffman was impressive. She never stopped talking to me, making drinks for customers and training Peele the whole time. It was if I was watching a “Ballet of the Barista.”

She told me this was her son “Michael Coffman” and business partner “Garry Hastie’s” investment. Michael has been in the army for 11 years, had tours of duty in Iraq and was finally leaving the army to return home. He was expected home that day at 6 p.m. She has been doing everything in her power to have this shop up and running before he came home.

She discussed how difficult it was with all the permits, works and city approvals to finally open the business. She started applying on July 5, and it took until Jan. 14 to receive an approval for placing the building on the lot. She also stated that it took four months longer than anticipated and cost her three times the amount budgeted.

Coffman had already opened a coffee shop in Lebanon once before and in her words “It was not this difficult nor did it cost this much!” 

Coffman was adamant that all construction be done by local contractors. Everything she buys must be local even the coffee beans which come from "Allann Bros." in Albany. She purchases her fresh baked goods from "Kris’s Kitchen" in Lebanon and they are brought here fresh daily. Coffman could not stress enough how important it was to keep the money “as local and as close to home as you can at least within a 40 mile range.”

Leaving the little shop and driving home, I did notice that it is difficult to enter the parking lot if you are traveling east on Knox Butte Road because you have to take a left on Century Drive to enter.  However, west bound travelers have it much easier.

To sum up my note-worthy experience in the words of Hailey, my passenger and self professed muffin and coffee connoisseur, “Oh Mom, the muffin was unbelievable! You know how muffins are either dry or too soft and spongy and stick in your throat? Well this one was moist and the flavor perfect, and my “Frescante” was ...well I am sooo already addicted!”


Dragon's Brew Espresso                            
3513 Knox Butte Road, Albany, Ore.
Monday through Saturday 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Starting your own coffee business:

1) How to start your own drive-thru:
http://caffe.home.mindspring.com/drive-thru.htm
2) Learning to become a barista:
http://www.hotfrog.com/Products/COFFEE-TRAINING/OR
3) Obtaining commercial permits:
http://www.cityofalbany.net/comdev/building/