Spot on Main

I have a new favorite place. I've always been a fan of Spot Coffee on Elmwood. Heck, I'm a big fan of Elmwood in general. However, Spot has always held a special place in my heart. It has a vegetarian friendly menu, an awesome bohemian atmosphere and until recently was right next to New World Record, so you could get coffee, browse some music. It had such a great vibe.

Let's face it: Williamsville, in general, does not lend itself to the Birkenstock-wearing, hair-dreading, braless crowd. I wouldn't place myself in that category anyway. But, I think people who live that life are so interesting. They don't care about money or fame or success. They care about each other, about getting through the day with happiness etched into each inked body part, making music, and being altogether lovely human beings. I generalize - but you get the point. 

Bringing a place like Spot to Williamsville (and Clarence too, I hear) could be risky. If the new location didn't look so slick and new. The people behind the counter are clean, they serve that upper-middle-class ladies with their neon green pants and matching plaid bags with a smile. Spot is mainstream on Main Street. 

One of my other favorite Buffalo establishments is Amy's Place, also on Main but closer to UB South Campus than North Campus. Seeing that Spot can survive suburbia and its inhabitants, I wonder, what if Amy's, another joint supporting independent music and independent thinking, came to the North towns? Part of the charm at Amy's is the shaved head of your female waiter and the sleeves of tattoos dancing around your table. 

I guess my big thought revolved around this idea - is where a place is ideologically as important as where it is location-wise? I suppose it is. Any business model conforms to the location of a new outpost, it only makes sense to. In any case, I may still visit Spot on Elmwood if my Spot on Main starts to feel like to Starbucks down the street, though that is a venue I have enjoyed, especially in summer, for many years.

Til then, I'm going to drink a Cinco Shake with my hummus wrap. Take that Starbucks.