Fair Trade Cafe
for long study sessions
Bright colored murals are held behind the door in Fair Trade Café, along with many featured art and a unique bar that hosts coffee, ice cream and freshly made pastries. Fair Trade Café opens its arms to many people, helping local artists by displaying their art, creating a quiet environment for people to study, read or communicate with each other, and having easy access form the light rail and the new bike share program GRID. Participating in a local tradition for the Phoenix art district, First Fridays, the coffee shop can host many newcomers as well as local regulars. Including poetry nights that find a home in Fair Trade, updated by social media to put out the word.
The art displayed on the walls above tables and in nearly every corner of the restaurant, Fair Trade wants to make the shop more than a delivery for organic, fair trade coffee. Generally, people will be spread out on all corners of the shop, talking to one other, reading or relaxing on the sofa and chairs they have set up by the window. The outside patio holds small tables and wicker chairs for those who enjoy the sun.
Fair Trade Café began with a mission: for organic, fair trade coffee to make it to the heart of Downtown Phoenix’s art district. Located on 1st avenue and Roosevelt, Fair Trade Café opens its arms to many from the light rail stop it’s near, to local artists or those who are looking for a good bite and fair trade coffee.
The mission of fair trade coffee has differences from the café Fair Trade. The coffee that is used in the café, however, has the same mission: to utilize a market-based approach so farmers can have safe working conditions, fair prices and sustainable business rather than aid, according to Fair Trade USA.
Coffee is the main subject, though and when it comes to the drinks Fair Trade can make it as strong or as smooth as a person could want, judging by what drink is ordered. For me, it was an iced Toddy brew. Close to $4 for a large the iced brew was bold and bitter, great for an early morning wake-up. Second to the coffee, is the food, hosting housemade pastries, ice cream and a full menu of salads, sandwiches and wraps.
Fair Trade Café could be an easy destination for anyone traveling along Roosevelt, and like their slogan, it is “Coffee with a Conscience.”