Station 1 Coffee House

28 Main Street East

Grimsby, Ontario

905-309-4000

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Coffeecology.com for more info.

I work with people from all over the area in my profession as a massage therapist.  I always appreciate where they come from and where they've been and inevitably my blog comes up in conversation at some point.  I get the BEST information about great places to go from people I work with and patients too.   I had heard through the "grape-vine" that a new coffee shop had opened up in Grimsby.   I live in Stoney Creek, so I had an excuse to have my husband drive me around in the gorgeous fall weather and check it out.  The owners of Station 1 have joined forces with the most clever people in the local coffee selling business to make a fantastic, friendly, and unique cafe in Grimsby.  I gather (from the name and look) it was an old fire station, the main front doors are two huge, rolling doors that open it up to a large cafe/patio combo with lots of seating.  I was in love immediately with the parking, seating and inviting quality.  I was excited to see that they carry Coffeecology beans roasted locally as well as free-trade, organic with a variety of delicious, homemade treats including vegan chocolate cupcakes and macaroons.  

1)coffee- $1.85 small $2.10 large $2.10 iced (nice to have choice) 9/10

2)roasted- Coffeecology is locally roasted 9/10

3)service- quick and friendly 7.5/10 (no interaction with customers)

4)assessibility- 9.5/10 large, free parking lot, main access road

5)flavour- medium roast was delicious, hot and full flavour 9/10

6)Eco-friendly- recycling, composting, bio-degradeable cups 9/10 

7)cup size- good size mug for coffee, Americano as well 8.5/10

8)food- cupcake and Helly Dolly was big, sweet and rich, vegan and vegetarian choices 9.5/10

9)ambience- bright, clean,sunny, fun music, spacious seating 9/10

10)wifi- free, access is posted (friendly gesture is appreciated by bloggers like me) 10/10

*overall 9/10. 

** as an after thought I wanted the business card for my blog info. When I asked for one, I got a weird vibe that I didn't understand other than they were busy and didn't want to get it for me.  The server went in search of what I thought was their information and came back with a free coffee card...I was confused but appreciative.  I still feel funky that they thought I was searching for free stuff, ah well.  I think Station 1 is super and certainly worth a trip down Hwy# 8 or mountain country to enjoy it!

Judge and Jester

17 Main Street East
Grimsby, ON
905-945-8744
thejudgeandjester@cogeco.net

I sometimes happen upon a place by chance and other times by necessity. The Judge and Jester is a pub that Neil and I have frequented over the years for good food, good beer and charming atmosphere. On this occasion, Neil was out on a Sunday afternoon bike trip and ended his 20 km trip at the cozy, warmth of the J&J. I was his pickup and was lured in by the thought of a coffee and possibly pub-fare snack (I had the first and not the later). The Judge and Jester is on the main road in Grimsby where Hwy#8 meets the other road (can't remember it at the moment), super easy the get to and lots of parking around.

I normally can't drink any caffeinated beverages after 2:30 or so but I wanted to have a coffee so I ordered a decaf. I wasn't expecting anything good, I asked for a fresh pot and played the waiting game. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised, my coffee was really fresh, smooth flavour and very tasty. Nice going J&J ;)

1) coffee - $2.49 (too pricey really, I didn't stay long enough to test the bottomless test). 7/10
2) roasted locally - no 6/10
3) service - 9.5/10 (lovely girl, excellent service and a charming "bless you" when I pointed out she forgot to charge me for the coffee)
4) accessibility - 8/10
5) flavour - 7/10 (wasn't fresh roasted but nice smooth flavour, excellent for decaf.)
6) Eco-friendly - 6/10 (china cups, not especially eco)
7) cup size - 8/10 (one size, bottomless)
8) food - not reviewed but pub fare is always delicious
9) ambience. -8.5/10 fantastic pub style, great seating with TV's for those who like it
10) wifi - yes and it's free!!!!!

*7/10 overall for coffee.
I highly recommend you make a trip to Grimsby, it's only 20 km from Stoney Creek and a really nice spot for conversation, reading or resting after a bike ride and waiting for our sweetheart.