Sunday, May 03, 2009

   from Nick


When we first started murky, I was under 30, married with no kids, had one employee, a little two-group La Marzocco Linea espresso machine, and the idea that if we were going to serve something to people to drink and eat, that it would need to be the best 'something' that we could make it... otherwise, we would dishonor those people and the love and care that every person deserves.


A few years later, I'm over 35, divorced, two kids, about 20 employees, and a pile of various coffee-making rigs and such, on the last day of murky coffee: May 3, 2009.


Looking back, murky coffee is a cacophony of memories, both good and bad. To try to list any specific ones here would do them injustice--some things should just never, ever, be summarized. That said, I'll choose to remember murky this way:


I always wanted murky to be like a funny little love song for each and every person who comes through our doors; both our staff, and our customers. A little song that was manifested in the ways that we served each other, but with all of the inevitable human frailties. Sometimes, the little love song was sung badly. Sometimes, the intended audience wasn't paying attention. Sometimes, things were misheard. Sometimes, the words and music didn't match up in the right way. Sometimes the timing wasn't right. Sometimes people weren't in the right mood or state of mind.


But sometimes, things would come together in that magical sort of way that little love songs can create.


I'll remember murky coffee for those moments.


Looking ahead, there's still much to overcome, and there's much to look forward to. I've been humbled to the point of weakened knees at the outpouring of love and support from our friends and our customers in the past few weeks. There are special people who made murky what it is, and they know who they are. I have to especially thank Ryan Jensen, Katie Carguilo, Aaron Ultimo, Katie Duris, Travis Edwards, Jennifer Mulchandani, Zachary Carlsen, Daniel Stearns, Liz Zamorski, Jenny Lawrence, Tommy Gallagher, and Marianne Hines, who were at murky as managers but mostly as my sisters and brothers. It's never been about the coffee, and it never will be. It's about the people.


As I've learned from past mistakes and will inevitably make new ones, I am blessed to be given the opportunity to experience more of what this walk has to offer. When training our staff, I've said, "From the moment someone thinks that they want to go to murky today, to the moment they actually forgot they ever came... that's the whole experience that we offer, and can choose to make better for them or not." There are many hands who have shaped my experience with murky coffee, and I am better for it. Thank you all, and please keep in touch.


Nick

Saturday, May 02, 2009

   from Nick

Last day

This Sunday, May 3, 2009, will be our last day. Come see us!

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

   from Nick

Letter to our customers

April 1, 2009

Dear valued customer,

It's with great sadness that I announce that in a few weeks, murky coffee will be relocating from here in Clarendon to a new location in Washington DC.

The property here at 3211 Wilson Boulevard was sold last year, and market rent is simply more than we can afford.

In the coming months, I hope that you'll join us in welcoming a new coffee shop here, brought by the talented folks at the renown "Liberty Tavern" just up the street. They'll be bringing their years of experience, a full renovation of the building, and top-quality service. We are proud to call them our friends, and plan to support them in setting up their coffee program. That said, we ask that you'll join us in welcoming and supporting them.

Our new home (at 5th & H Streets NW, two blocks east of the Chinatown Gate) will be a brand-new shop (called "Wrecking Ball Coffee") in a new neighborhood. While we're excited at new possibilities, leaving Clarendon isn't going to be easy. We've made many friends here, and we're very sad to leave. All of us here at murky are heartbroken about this move, so please be sensitive to our feelings during the transition.

We've been honored to be a place for you to visit over the last four years--especially our regular customers, but also those who we see less frequently.

Thanks for your friendship, love, and patronage. In so many ways, our customers have inspired us to work harder at providing you the best coffee experience we can, and for that, we cannot than you enough.

We hope that you'll be sure to visit us at our upcoming location. Dates for this move are yet to be specifically determined, but renovations will begin soon, starting with the upstairs.
I welcome your questions or comments: nickcho@murkycoffee.com

Sincerely,
Nick

Thursday, March 05, 2009

   from Nick

2009 US Barista Championship

Cheer on Travis, Allie, and Katie as they present their coffee and skills at the 2009 US Barista Championship this weekend.  Click on to: http://www.usbc2009.com for everything!!!

Monday, February 09, 2009

   from Nick

2009 Mid Atlantic Regional Barista Competition Results


Congrats to Katie and Allie, for taking 1st and 2nd at the 2009 Mid Atlantic Regional Barista Competition this weekend in Pittsburgh! Additional congrats to David Flynn and Jeremy Sterner (both from our B.F.F.'s at Peregrine Espresso) for taking 3rd and 4th. Way to go, DC!!!  

Be sure to congratulate all of them!

Monday, December 29, 2008

   from Nick

New Year Week 2008-2009


Special hours for a special week
NYE, Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 7:00am - 6:00pm
NYD, Thursday, January 1, 2009 - 9:00am - 9:00pm

All other times, are regular posted hours.


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