Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday: Closed, Sunday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Most popular drinks: Too early to tell
The Bookmark Cafe, which opened Monday, offers students holed up in Bracken Library studying a place to catch their breath and refresh their senses. The shop's main attractions are its location on the first floor of Bracken and the fact that it accepts student meal cards and Cardinal Cash. Students who live in the dorms but don't have the cash to buy a daily cup of coffee can use their Dining Plus money to keep themselves caffeinated and alert.
As part of Ball State Dining, the Bookmark Cafe sells many items besides coffee, such as sandwiches, salads and soup, so students can grab a quick meal without leaving Bracken. Students should realize, however, that many of these items are offered at other campus dining locations.
The Bookmark Cafe sells coffee, hot chocolate, a good selection of Tazo teas and cold chai. Flavor shots cost an extra 50 cents. Though it doesn't yet have a menu as extensive or an atmosphere as welcoming as some other local coffee shops, The Bookmark Cafe is a step forward for Ball State Dining. Students up late at Bracken cramming for upcoming exams might be disappointed to find the cafe closes by 10 p.m. at the latest.-á
Hours: Monday, Tuesday: 6:30 a.m. to midnight, Wednesday-Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 3 a.m., Saturday: 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., Sunday: 7 a.m. to midnight
Most popular drinks: Milkyway, Spiced Chai, Peppermint Mocha
The phrase "More Than Coffee" is written in all capital letters on the mt cup's menu. With a complete list of sandwiches, breakfast items and desserts, the independent coffee shop lives up to that claim.
Established in 1994 by Ball State University alumnus Myles Ogea, the mt cup is a regular host to Ball State students either looking for a relaxing atmosphere for studying or for a good place to catch up with friends. The shop's location on University Avenue in the Village is within easy walking distance of any residence hall. The shop's late hours are convenient for students on the late-night college schedule.
mt cup barista Amy Fjelde said that mt cup patrons often establish friendly relationships with each other and with mt cup employees.
"Everyone's always willing to have random conversations with each other," she said.
College culture and arts are themes at mt cup. Open mic nights or poetry readings occur about every other week, and student artworks are displayed on the shop's walls. Menu item titles such as "The Boom Goes The Dynamite" and "The Frog Baby" help maintain the Ball State community theme of mt cup.
Hours: Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. to midnight, Saturday and Sunday: closed
Most popular drinks: Carmel Macchiato, Carmel Frappuccino, White Chocolate Mocha
Comedian Lewis Black has said the arrival of a Starbucks across the street from another Starbucks is a sign of the apocalypse. Luckily for Muncie, the local Starbucks shops are located across town from one another, with one northeast of the Ball State University campus on McGalliard Road and another southwest of campus on Tillotson Avenue. A Barnes and Noble-owned and operated Starbucks is located in the Art and Journalism building.
Despite the reputation Starbucks has gained as a symbol of globalization and monopolization, the store offers good drinks and quality service. Though Starbucks sometimes falls short of its lofty service goal of getting customers their order within three minutes of ordering, Starbucks' self-proclaimed "legendary service" is quick and friendly.
"Really what Starbucks is probably about is coming together as part of a community and giving people a place to go when they're not at work or home," Bethany Dudenhoffer, employee at the McGalliard Road Starbucks, said.
Starbucks gift cards are popular among customers, especially during and after the holiday season, Starbucks employee Sarah Otten said.
She said the gift cards are, "a good generic gift that you probably aren't going to go wrong with."
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday: Closed
Most popular drinks: Milky Way, Flavored Lattes, Espresso
Located in downtown Muncie, the Blue Bottle attracts more of a business crowd than student crowd. The establishment, which originally opened in 2001, moved from the Village to downtown in 2004 because of economic reasons, Blue Bottle owner Tom Steiner said.-á
The Blue Bottle sells a wide variety of quality specialty items besides drinks. Shop patrons visit just to buy the Blue Bottle's original chili, tomato bisque soup and wraps, Steiner said. A variety of national newspapers are available for sale to customers who want to stay up-to-date on current events while drinking their coffee.
The shop sells a regular "Drink of the Week," which is 25 cents cheaper than its usual price. Although the Blue Bottle isn't located directly near campus, the shop still has a regular crowd of students.
"Students that do venture out come walking in and can't believe downtown isn't that far from the Village and how nice it is," Steiner said.
Steiner is open to musicians performing and would be willing to let someone take over booking shows, he said.
"I've always wanted to have a coffee shop where people feel comfortable," Steiner said, "and if that's what it takes, then who am I to say no?"
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