Iconica

A friend and I checked out that new place everyone's talking about, The Iconica Social Club, located in the heart of downtown Hamp. It doesn't seem to be an actual social club, except to the extent that one can of course socialize there, but anyone is welcome right off the street without having to join or do anything club-like. It is essentially a bohemian style coffee shop. What's neat is that they brew the coffee cup by cup as you watch, guaranteeing the freshest and finest quality drink.

Your coffee is also served on a tray in a beaker such as you last saw in science class. It's a gimmick, but a cool one and the rubber stopper actually keeps your coffee piping hot while you drink the portion you have poured into your small glass cup.

You pay a little more to get a coffee that has been personally brewed on the spot just for you, but not much more, as mine cost only three dollars. Of course, their cross the alley competitor, the iconic in its own right Haymarket, charges only $1.90 for a small, conventionally brewed coffee.

Hopefully, there is sufficient business for both establishments to thrive. The Iconica has a very interesting interior, with all kinds of real antiques everywhere you look.

They've created a little park for those who prefer to drink their coffee outdoors.

However, I preferred the chilltown upstairs loft. I always was a two-fisted drinker!

Check out Iconica, it's a trip.

All good squirrels are presently gathering nuts for the winter, but some kind person made their task easier by leaving some peanuts (gourmet dining in the squirrel world) in the nook of this tree by the old courthouse.

Finally, here's Springfield homeboy Dr. Timothy Leary gazing upon the Northampton street scene.