OU LE-SHOT Students choose java from two local coffee shops 5 earey, like mOSt college towns, housed popular sPOts where students could get away from campus and enjoy a chai, mocha or dozens ofother drink possibilities. Along with a large menu of drink choices, coffee shops began offeri ng other perks to attract customers. Although there were several coffee shops around Searcy, two in particular emerged with widespread popularity: the Midnight Oil Coffeehouse and the Underground Coffeehouse. While Midnight Oil was established in 1997 and had a long-standing reputation with students and Searcy citizens, the Underground Coffeehouse was opened in 2006 and offered an alternative for java junkies. In addition to the free Internet access which mOSt coffee shops promoted, the Underground tried to distinguish itself in other ways. Junior Brooks Gatlin had been working for rhe Underground since it opened. He said while it was the largest coffee shop he had ever been in, there were several other characteris rics that made it unique. "You can be loud without worrying about disturb– ing other people," Gatlin said. "It is an atmosphere where you can either be social with people or find a SpOt to be by yourself. T he Underground is also very conducive to study sessions." Some of the noise created at the Underground was a result of the live music. The Underground hosted a house band every Thursday night along with various other artists. "We try to have at least one musical guest every Saturday night," Gatlin said. "But we are always welcome to more playing. And we host karaoke every Tuesday night." Senior Jonathan Whitt made numerous musical appearances as a solo artist as well as being a part of the house band at the Underground. Whitt said he enjoyed the opportunity to play in a coffeehouse environment. "It is so easy to play at the Unde rground," Whitt said. "They already have all ofthe equipment set up, so you juSt go and play." Just a couple ofmiles across [Own was Midnight Oil. Senior Rebecca DeRamus, who worked at Midnight Oil, said she preferred the cozy atmosphere where she could study and not beoverwhelmed by music. "While we don't have as much live music, we try to cater [0 the audience by playing music throughout Cheering for the l ady Bisons soccer team Sept. 2, seniors Daniel Graves and Julie Akins,junio rs Cole Sessions and Jedda Bragg, and freshman Caroli ne Maddox support the team in a game against Newman University. Atte ndi ng sporting events was one way many students spent time during the weekend. -Amber Bazargani Scoping for the next foothold, junior Eric Mount climbs at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper. Ark.,on Sept. 30. "About six to eight students take a trip twice a semester; climbing is so much fun, and we love to be outside:' graduate student Jo Ellis said. -Courtesy of}o Ellis _ -" ,,4 student life the day," DeRamus said. "We see a lor ofpeople from all over rown come in." In addition to theit drinks, Midnight Oil held art shows and displayed the work offreelance photogra– phers. The coffee shop also had a smaller store in the gift shop o"fWhite County Medical Center. "Even though the menu is slightly more limited, we offer different drinks and foods that seem to work for that crowd," DeRamus said. It seemed as though the decision of which cof– feehouse scudents chose came down to taste. Each coffeehouse seemed to have distinguished itselfwirh uniquely named drinks. At the Underground, Gatlin said he loved making and drinking a spiced chai with mint and twO shots ofespresso. DeRamus preferred to make cappuccinos. "I love co drink double tall honey breves, but I love making cappuccinos because I am really good at making foam," DeRamus said. Despice the unique characteristics that make each coffee shop irs own, one thing was evident: they made coffee drinkers almost anything imaginable in the coffee world, even with an extra shot of espresso. -Jordan Dyniewski
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