As a freelance writer, fashion blogger, busy mamasita, and shopaholic, I’m always in search of fun spots to get my work done. Sure sure, there’s Starbucks and their fancy-pants fast WIFI, or the corner of my quiet bedroom during nap time in my household–but I often find myself working a little bit harder, and creating a little bit better when my surroundings are sweet.
When I first moved to Clovis last year, I started to make a list of places to explore that had free WIFI and a strong small-town vibe. A spot where the action is, good drinks come quickly into my hand, and there’s not a lot of hassle to find a parking space. Just in Old Town Clovis alone, there is a growing scene of locally-owned restaurants and coffee spots that have exactly that.
Kuppa Joy is simply my happy place. You may have heard of this Christian-owned local coffee shop, but I go there simply for the great brew and twinkly lights. I feel like I’m in a freelancer’s dream world when I am there – everyone you find at Kuppa, midday during the week, seems like they are the type to make their own schedule. From professors and writers, to mama play dates and law students from the San Joaquin College of Law down the road – Kuppa Joy is the melting pot of Old Town Clovis. The dark brick and dim wood tables are always full, and the farm table in the back is where you can find your sorta introvert, headphone-wearing companions. Snag a calorie-counting “cronut” or an iced Almond Joy, and well, you’ll want to stay all day.
Across town, in what feels like an old money part of town, is the humble neighborhood coffee shop, Cafe Van Ness. This little white picket fenced shop is tucked on the corner of Gazebo Gardens, on the right side of the tracks! If I take my work here, the plan is usually to come early, snag a little two-top table on the patio, and stay all morning. If I need to stretch my legs, I’ll take a stroll through the rose garden in the neighboring Gazebo Gardens (and try to resist the craving of beer from their beer garden, open on the weekends!). Cafe Van Ness is serious about their local vibe, too – with drinks named after streets in the old Fresno High district – the menu is full of names like the “Simpson,” “Cornell,” “Michigan,” “Princeton,” or the “Brown.” Inhale the fresh gardeny air, and exhale a whole lotta inspiration as you type on your tablet.
Ok, confession time. Sometimes I like to work at night. I know, it’s crazy, and sometimes exhausting if I get totally screen-faced and end up watching Nightline to soothe my insomnia. But on the other hand, sometimes it’s quite fun! I recently did some late-night blogging at a local ale house, over one pint of pilsner, and it was gosh darn heavenly. 559 LOCAL Tasting Room is kinda the ideal destination for something like this. Head up Clovis Avenue, and swing onto Fourth Street, and voila! Parking is easy peasy, and this is a TRUE local joint. High tables and a friendly little bar await, as you enter this family owned and operated tasting room, proudly the first microbrewery in Clovis. On the weekends the tasting room is open until 9pm, which leaves us early-risers enough time to hop on home and turn the brain off after a cold one and a job well done (and maybe another coffee in the morning!).
Kuppa Joy Coffee House
518 Clovis Ave
Clovis, CA 93612
Hours:
7:00 am – 8:00 pm, Monday – Saturday
Kuppa Joy Coffee House on Facebook
Cafe Van Ness
3204 N. Van Ness
Fresno, CA 93704
Hours:
7:00 am – 2:00 pm, Monday – Friday; 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday
559 LOCAL
608 4th Street
Clovis, CA 93612
Hours:
5:00 pm — 8:00 pm, Thursday
5:00 pm — 9:00 pm, Friday
5:00 pm — 8:00 pm, Saturday
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I like Cuppa Joy, I just don’t make it over there very often. I always wondered if it was a good mid-day work spot! I am going to have to check it out!