The Las Vegas Trend

The Vegas Strip, what was once started by a breed of serial entrepreneurs, in every sense of the phrase, has been taken over by big corporate enterprises.  Corporate logos, advertising and stores are found all along the strip. It’s a commercial for big corporate.  Which is why we were impressed to discover the latest trend on and off the strip.

On our latest coffee adventure we decided to explore Las Vegas.  We were quick to meet locals and were surprised with what they had to say about their city.  Most locals don’t step a foot near the strip. They said “the strip has lost its roots”, “its become too corporate, and it wasn’t always like that”, “there’s no free entertainment along the strip, hotels do their best to entice people into their complex where there’s many ways to spend”.

Local coffee roasters are taking full advantage of the fact that locals are staying off the strip by offering them that sense of community they’ve been craving.  Roasters are popping up just off the strip and giving locals what they want – community and great coffee!  They are using the vehicle of coffee to create communities: to see people connect, communicate, and relate with each other.

[Locals enjoying coffee from Mothership Coffee Roasters]

Off the Vegas Strip

We caught up with some of the biggest roasters in the area.  They invited us into their coffee shops and roasting facilities soon after finding out what My Local Coffees was all about in Canada – supporting local and promoting fresh roasted coffee.

Mothership Coffee Roasters is off of Fremont Street (North of the strip).  Located inside an old motel complex that’s been converted into a plaza filled with local artisanal shops. We found locals hanging out inside and outside by a quiet garden area. It was a serene escape from the busyness of the strip.

Vesta Coffee Roasters and Bad Owl Coffee Roasters were also on the North side of the strip.  This is Bad Owl’s newest location after first opening in Chicago. Vesta, like some roasters, were busy roasting coffee inside their coffee shop. They feel it adds to the coffee experience when you can see and smell the beans coming fresh off the roaster, the same beans you’re about to taste.

On the Vegas Strip

Even on the strip you’ll find coffee shops serving locally roasted coffee.  When you’re on the strip be curious and ask what coffee beans are being used if its not on display. Inside the Caesars Palace this coffee shop below proudly showcased that they were using coffee from a small batch roaster called Ritual Coffee – roasted out of San Francisco.

Don’t Wait…

What are you waiting for? Start supporting local in your area. It’s local and it’s better!