By Meagan Heitz

Any coffee shop in Harrisonburg —Broad Porch, Black Sheep and Coffee Hound — can be used as a workspace, hangout area or as a getaway for a “good cup of joe.”  

 “Coffee shops in Harrisonburg are everywhere, there are so many options that I would like to see before I graduate in May,” said Julianne Ulmer, a current senior at JMU.

Coffee Shops are known as prime places for students and residents to work there in their free time and hangout.  Located downtown, these shops are just a small walk away from JMU’s campus and are considered “out of the norm” spots.

“Black Sheep has a nice area to sit in, it is more of an intimate environment, making it easy to talk to friends or work on assignments when campus is full and I want to get out of my apartment,” said Ulmer after visiting Black Sheep.

Due to the more intimate feeling, Black Sheep consists of a calmer environment that is smaller but full of character, located at the center of downtown, it can be easily accessible for parking and walking around. 

“I would recommend this coffee shop if people are looking for a quieter and calm environment to sit and do work. I’m really able to focus when I am there and it’s really accessible downtown,” said Ulmer. 

Broad Porch recently opened up a new location in Harrisonburg, giving more opportunities for those interested in hot-spots, but with time Broad Porch has become a big name in coffee. 

“Whenever I’m in there I always see people that run into each other and just happen to be in the same spot studying or grabbing coffee. I think what makes it unique is the small-town atmosphere,” Jaeda Cohen said, a current senior at JMU known as a content creator.

The appeal of Broad Porch begins with the atmosphere they have at both locations, making it a revolving door for people to be productive and socialize.

“I would definitely recommend it, it’s a great spot to study, meet friends, take yourself on a date and more. I also love the lighting here and the aesthetic overall so makes it a great spot for content,” Cohen said.

The Coffee Hound coffee shop, previously known as Shenandoah Joe’s, is known for its accessible parking, variety of different seating options and menu items for patrons who happen to find it. 

“There are so many great coffee shops in Harrisonburg, but I really enjoy this coffee shop in particular for when I’m meeting up with a friend or when I’m studying because there’s a lot of space, a lot of light, fun seating choices, great coffee and it’s not a super loud place to be,” Ellie Lawrence, a current senior at JMU, said.

While the shop itself is known for its warm atmosphere and “calm and happy” environment, the shop is locally sourced,  unlike other coffee chains, making it an easy recommendation. 

“I would absolutely recommend it, the environment is very calm and happy—great natural lighting, fun colors, warm textures and plants. The coffee is phenomenal and locally sourced, which I love compared to chain stores,” said Lawrence.

 Coffee shops in Harrisonburg include environments full of friendly atmospheres, good-quality food and a variety of coffee options for individuals looking to study, talk, or simply just sit with a coffee in-hand. 

---