By Macayla Jablonski, editor in chief.
College students struggle with everything under the sun—they shouldn’t have to struggle to find a good cup of coffee. Jim Adame, Delta student and 19-year-old business owner, solved this issue and opened a new coffee shop called The Loch in Midland on Oct. 13. The Loch serves specialty coffees, snacks, and hosts open mic nights every week to satisfy all college students’ needs.
The Loch is located at 309 Dartmouth Dr., Midland, and is decorated to a modern T. Dressed with a metallic wall and dark brown mahogany counters, it creates a relaxing and serene vibe for customers.
Adame opened The Loch because he felt Midland needed a contemporary, local place to get coffee.
“I really wanted to focus on incorporating more modernized coffee and trying to bring new things into this area. Everything I’m bringing in isn’t necessarily new in terms of like, coffee… but it’s newer for Midland. I think we’re behind a little bit,” says Adame.
The Loch features one size only drinks, at 12 ounces a cup. Prices vary anywhere from $2 to $5, depending on the drink ordered.
“I think that my prices are fair because most other places that you’ll go you’ll spend around $6 for coffee. I think it also helps that I just have one size; it makes it easier. And I was expecting to get a lot more backlash than I actually am, because people are used to multiple sizes… But because the prices are so low, they don’t mind buying another cup if they want more,” says Adame.
Adame plans to start a student discount next semester when the shop is a little more developed in hopes to bring in more young business.
“I really want to have people bring in their student id and they’ll receive, maybe, 10 percent off, or even start like a special student loyalty card,” says Adame.
Josh Eynon, architecture major at Delta College and frequent customer, enjoys The Loche because of the atmosphere.
“It’s a calming and relaxing place where students can sit and do their homework and not really feel stressed,” says Eynon.
Eynon says he attended the grand opening of The Loch because he know has known Adame for a long time.
“I started coming here to support a friend, but the coffee here is actually really great,” says Eynon. “I usually go for the teas though. My favorite is probably a dirty chai.”
Kellen MacGregor, 18- year-old Delta student and employee, enjoys his barista position at The Loch because of the friendly customers and staff working there.
“I am very fortunate to work at a local business such as Loch…The atmosphere is completely different compared to corporate coffee houses. The customers are patient, polite and forthcoming, which can lead to interesting conversations,” says MacGregor.
MacGregor says that as far as special events for college students go, the shop doesn’t have anything specific planned at the moment.
“We get a lot of students who come in to do homework. In fact, I’d say around 50 percent of our clientele is college students…We do have open mic nights, which is attended mostly by young adults,” says MacGregor.
The Loch is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. If you have any questions, you can find their Facebook page at The Loch Coffee Company.
