Treasured Valley

-by Amy Pence-Brown

I know, I know, Dutch Bros. little coffee kiosks are not exactly off the beaten path.  In fact, their seven Treasure Valley locations are on major thoroughfares for a reason – so people see them and stop.  However, with so many great local coffee shops and other competing kiosks, Dutch Bros. definitely have their work cut out for them.  How do you set yourself apart from other coffee shops?  Well, they surely got the signage thing down pat with their giant sized image of their signature coffee cup.  You can’t miss it.

Now that they’ve hooked customers (me, at least) with their fantastic sign, they’d best deliver with a fantastic menu.  Besides the usual coffee, espresso and tea, Dutch Bros. also offers the yummiest frozen coffee concoctions with a kick in town, something that keeps me going there all summer long.  And they come with up to FOUR SHOTS OF ESPRESSO.  (This may seem a little irrational or extravagant to some, but sometimes a certain Mom didn’t get enough sleep and has a big day of Jazzercise, playdates, grocery shopping, and cleaning up after two kiddos and can REALLY use some extra help, if you know what I mean.)  Alternatively, for my girls, they offer affordable kid-sized versions of their fruit smoothies in cute, reusable plastic cups with lids.

Additionally, they are super fast.  At my neighborhood Dutch Bros. (2272 Vista Ave.) they actually have two drive thrus, one on each side of the shop, so baristas can help more than one customer at a time.  My favorite part of that shop, though, is the fact that they have a walk-up window, where they usually give out doggie treats and sometimes candy to visitors.  In fact, we celebrated our puppy Roxy’s first birthday with a winter walk to Dutch Bros. coffee.  It’s rare that a coffee shop can do it all: offer a variety of quality beverages, be quick, unique, friendly, AND cater to the entire family, pets included.  To the two dairy farmin’ brothers that started this wonderful west coast franchise 17 years ago in Grants Pass, Oregon, I say, good work boys.  I’m rootin’ for ya, one Kahlua Kicker at a time.

Amy Pence-Brown lives in Boise and NEEEEDS coffee…