Nick writes:

A little insight into the 'big picture' of coffee, and where we're coming from in an article I wrote for CoffeeGeek.com.

Nick writes:

Man... to those who sent me emails congratulating us on our expansion, or anyone else who thought it was true, please check the date of the post yesterday.

Last year, the April Fool's joke was that we were being bought by Starbucks. Even in October of last year, people still thought it was true, and claimed the fact that we were taking over management of Common Grounds was, in fact, a Starbucks conspiracy.

See y'all next year!

Nick writes:

We're really excited to announce that we are expanding murky coffee beyond the Washington DC area!

I've been SO eager to share this development with everyone, and now today, finally we can! With the support of a group of Washington-area investors, we're proud to finally announce murky coffee chicago and murky coffee portland!

Leases have been signed, and construction on both shops should begin later this month. These two locations will further expand the 'coffee-fantasy' that began in Georgetown three years ago, fulfilled at murky coffee capitol hill and murky coffee arlington.

murky coffee chicago will be a ground-breaking operation, located right across the street from Chicago's historic Monadnock building, which is located at 53 West Jackson Boulevard. This neighborhood has been DYING for some decent coffee for years, and we're really excited about finally introducing good coffee to Chicago!

Our investors have roots in both Chicago AND the beautiful Pacific Northwest city of Portland, Oregon, and murky coffee portland will surely do them proud! We already have, on order with our friends Mark and Sandy from Synesso, get this: a SIX-GROUP SYNESSO CYNCRA!!! Incorporating the ground-breaking technology of the Synesso Cyncra (with PID, hybrid design, and individual brew-boilers), but now in the largest size machine that Portland has ever seen! The store will be located at the intersection of Division Street and SE 45th Avenue, and we're guaranteeing that we'll start a coffee revolution in Portland!!!

We thank you so much for your continued support, and we look forward to being able so be working so close to our coffee-community friends in Chicago and Portland! Watch this space for updates!

UPDATED 5/7/2005: PLEASE... I CAN'T BEAR IT ANYMORE... IT WAS A FREAKIN' APRIL-FOOLS-JOKE. PLEASE STOP SENDING ME CONGRATULATORY EMAILS. THOSE LOCATIONS LISTED ARE ACROSS THE STREET FROM INTELLIGENTSIA AND STUMPTOWN, WHO ARE BOTH COFFEE-BUDDIES. IT WAS A SEMI-INSIDE JOKE. Thanks. Carry on.