Proximity Cafe

(menu)

I owned a Keurig for a few months and recently decided to trade it in for a french press.  I sold the Keurig on Craigslist and realized that the press I want is currently out of stock.  That was over a week ago and my point is that it has been at least that long since I've had a good cup of coffee.  So, I was out yesterday morning and remembered that I saw a 'now open' sign on Proximity Cafe which is on the corner of E High St and Moser Rd, kind of over near the hospital.  I wouldn't normally review a place I had just stopped at for a drink, but it's a coffee shop and I was getting coffee, so what the heck.

Part of my thought process that morning was, "Where can I get a good cup of coffee to go in Pottstown?"  I couldn't think of a place.  Whether you like the company or not, Starbucks makes good coffee and there isn't one of those...takeout coffee from a diner is questionable and Dunkin' Donuts is not what I was looking for.  I honestly had no idea what Proximity was going to offer but it was worth a shot considering the alternatives.  There was also a 'drive-thru'; how convenient.

I pulled onto Moser Rd where there is an entrance to the parking lot, but no visible sign of this 'drive-thru'.  I kept going and made a right around the building into the alley where I found the 'drive-thu', but I was at the wrong end of it.  I kept going around the block which ended up being quite a detour, but I was determined.  For the record, the entrance is on High Street, before the building if you're headed toward Sanatoga / Limerick.

I pulled in after locating the entrance and on the wall above the speaker is an abbreviated version of their menu.  Just coffee drinks.  There was a drink listed called the Montana which is a cup of coffee with a shot of espresso.  That sounded pretty awesome and maybe that extra shot would make up for all the dumb tea I'd been drinking at home.  They use Tall, Grande and Magnum for their sizes which I absolutely despise.  Tell me how freaking big they are, not their useless, fancy names.  In any case, I ordered a large and I believe I got a Magnum.  I was charged $3.50.  

I pulled up to the window and was greeted by a friendly barista who took my money, made change and brought my coffee quickly.  It's a funny window and she had to kind of stoop to reach through, but she did it with a smile.  There was no place to leave a tip at the window and I'm not even sure of the standard for a coffee with espresso anyway.  

I was on a conference call for work, so I actually pulled into the parking lot to park and listen.  It also allowed me to take pictures safely.  The coffee was a little on the acidic side, but roasty and strong.  It looks like they have a variety of coffees if you want.  I assume what I got must have been the house blend.  It was definitely higher quality and strength coffee and just what I was looking for.  The packaging is simple and unbranded, maybe to keep costs low.  

While on my call I looked up the rest of the menu for Proximity and read some other reviews.  It turns out this place has breakfast and lunch and live music and they have a philosophy and believe in building a strong community.  Read their mission.  It's not specific, but it sounds genuine to me.  I can't wait to go back and spend a little more time there, meet the employees, have a breakfast sandwich and use the free wifi.