#9) Sago Coffee: A Cup of Friendly & Flavorful Florida

*Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series
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Just opened this week!

Yay! I absolutely love trying new coffee shops! There is definitely something exciting and intriguing to me when I hear news that a new coffee shop is opening up in the neighborhood. What’s on the menu? How’s the variety and selection? What’s the vibe like inside? Do they keep good and flexible hours of operation? And most importantly, are the drinks delicious enough for me to come back?

The answer is yes. On a hot Florida afternoon, my iced latte was cool and delicious; and yes, I will be planning a return visit quite soon. Sago Coffee is simply a fun, upbeat, and modern coffee house instilled with local charm.

I must admit that a personal goal and challenge to myself at least for a couple years now has been to visit and try as many different coffee shops as I can in my daily adventures and travels. I call it ‘Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge.’ And this hobby has only grown and strengthened due to how much fun and enjoyment I’m having with it. Don’t get me wrong - I’m still quite a fan of the big chain coffee shops and I do frequent them, but I’m attempting to give at least equal time and money to those non-chains… those hidden gems of the towns I visit and drive through. Those coffee shops that locals frequent and tourists and visitors are lucky to find either with a Google search or through word-of-mouth. Small business coffee shops have become very intriguing to me, and I haven’t met one yet I didn’t like.

Sago presents a very simplistic menu of hot and cold coffees - including espresso drinks, pour overs, and hot teas. Plus a basic seasonal drink menu as well, with three autumn themed drinks currently being offered. Served in the most adorable glass cups that remind me of an old fashioned mason jar with a modern twist, each glass means one less to-go cup being tossed after a single use. If you are dining in you can request glass - and they still have to-go cups available if you are taking your drink with you.

Visiting in mid-afternoon, the first thing I noticed was that the entire place was packed. A good sign? Parking is certainly at a premium and we parked down the street as the lot was entirely full, with cars waiting for open spots in the small lot.

The first feature I notified was the massive and fun garage style windows - and lots of natural light flowing inside... this presents a very warm and open, breathable feel. Edison style lighting throughout and upbeat and lively modern music playing on loud speaker, the vibe is definitely beachy - modern - friendly. Coffee shop chic.

Sago offers a variety of seating options. I chose the comfy leather couch to sit and work on my iPad, but there were also single chairs with end tables for drinks to rest upon, long tables, high-top tables, and an entire different seating room off to the side as well. This adjacent side room flows nicely into the main seating area and could easily be utilized for business meetings or study groups, set up almost as an office conference room, but very multi-purpose. In today’s modern age, business transactions of all kinds occur daily at coffee shops, and Sago Coffee is most certainly aware of and prepared for those business meetings to succeed in a warm and friendly environment.

The price was fair and average to all the other surrounding local coffee shops - nothing too extreme at all. Merchandise was offered for sale on a shelf adjacent to the cash registers, including bags of coffee for home brewing. I’m already considering taking a bag home with me on my next visit.

And lastly, I love the hours of operation. Sago is open for all the early birds such as myself, who wake up daily before the sun does. And they are open for those who need that quick late afternoon and evening energy zap and WiFi after dinner. Students will appreciate they are open evenings as a great place for studying as well as meeting for group projects.

So come on out to Sago for your next coffee outing… I would definitely recommend trying Jax Beaches newest coffee shop in town. You won’t be disappointed; and you will leave awake, energized, and ready to take on the rest of your day with a smile. ~~

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Author:

Christine Pieper is an artist and lifestyle blogger, living and painting in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, with her hubby and eight year old puppy. She made a major life change in 2017 by uprooting and moving from Illinois to the Sunshine State, and has been living her best life in Florida since - detailing all her many and varied adventures living and traveling the Deep South to share with you. Her mission is to help you live YOUR best life - by getting out there, going for it, and making that big change you always dreamed of. Christine will inspire you to get over yourself, show up for yourself, and get out of your own way. The only one stopping you - is you.

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