(photo courtesy of Samantha Marsh)
Need somewhere to hang out other than work, class, or home?
Roast Runners is Linn-Benton Community College’s premier space on the Albany campus for students to relax while they work, hang out, or attend events. RoastRunner’s is a good “third space” as described by manager Jonah Wasmer, who has been managing the cafe for about a year.
As you enter the cafe a long bar sits against the front window. As you walk further, several small round tables run against the right wall. The center of the cafe looks like a living room in the center with black leather chairs arranged in a circle for talking. The color scheme is a sleek black and gray.
The cafe is connected with many other parts of the college. The venue frequently hosts staff and student club meetings and assorted events. For example on Jan. 19 karaoke night filled the space. The graphic design department is involved in the cafe’s logo and merchandise designs; and the art department is gearing up to create a mural inside the cafe.
Those looking for a job might consider becoming one of Roast Runner’s baristas.
“Jonah is a great manager,” said barista Tommy Booker, “I don't have any complaints about this job.”
He said joining the team is like becoming part of a group of friends that are “respectful but playful.”
Barista Faith Gray described her daily routine as a barista at Roast Runners. It begins at 7:30 a.m., and her responsibilities include cleaning up the lobby, restocking the milk and cups, brewing house coffee, putting out the sign, unlocking the doors, and turning on the open sign.
New customers might be surprised by the lower prices. According to Wasmer low prices are a priority when catering to their student clientele.
One need only do a price comparison between for example a latte at Roast Runners and Imagine Coffee in Corvallis. A latte at Imagine Coffee starts at $4.25 compared to only $3.50 at Roast Runners. An extra shot is also going to cost you double, $2, at Imagine Coffee compared to Roast Runners $1.
According to Wasmer, lower prices are in spite of their use of Sisters Coffee’s beans, which are more expensive than generic beans. The expense is worth it though, because he says the price tag comes with more careful processing, fewer burnt beans, and better tasting coffee. “In my opinion, it’s better quality and tastes better.”
When asked what they’d recommend to a newbie, manager Wasmer and baristas Booker and Gray all said they’d recommend the white chocolate mocha. “It’s a good balance between like brewed house coffee and like fancier coffees,” said Gray.
For those with a sweet tooth Booker said one of his favorites is the caramel frappuccino, which was redone during fall term and in his opinion has improved with “a balance of coffee and sweetness”.
He said others who prefer something that tastes more “coffee-forward” he thought would be better off trying a latte or Americano. This is because they don’t have any additional flavors added.
Customer and student Mike McReynolds said while he was picking up a white chocolate mocha (no whip!). that what he likes about Roast Runners is : “The prices are really good, they’re always really friendly…and…they always remember you.”
The cafe caters to those with dietary restrictions by offering sugar-free alternatives to their syrups as well as oat, almond, soy, and coconut milks.
Roast Runner is located to the right of the student union on LBCC's Albany campus.
Its hours are 8am-3pm Monday through Friday.
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