Shenandoah Joe offers unique interior but bland coffee

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Sid Tandel

Two customers chat over coffee in the seating area of Shenandoah Joe.

AC’s Review: The coffee is very acidic and lacks diverse flavor and body. It does not have a very attractive smell.

 

Sid Tandel
The black coffee at Shenandoah Joe is “very acidic and lacks diverse flavor and body.”

 Shenandoah Joe is one of four locally owned sister shops. What sets the Harrisonburg location apart, however, is the amazing ambience. From the outside, Shenandoah Joe looks like any other city coffee shop, but the interior is what makes it stand out. The dull grinding of fresh coffee beans bought from around the world adds to the comfortable vibe given off by the dim lighting, plush chairs, and wooden espresso bar. This atmosphere is what contributes to the regular customers.

Hannah Bradford, a two-year employee at Shenandoah Joe, applied to work here due to her love of both the environment and of the coffee. 

“Everyone here is great, and then [there’s] all the regulars that come in all the time. It’s fun because you get to know them and get to hang out a little bit so it’s more like hanging out with friends then it is working,” Bradford said.

“Our owner does all of the buying. He travels all over the world to all of the different places. He’ll try different beans and different farms and find what he likes best.” said Bradford as she described the process of choosing their coffee. This process provides customers with personalized

Sid Tandel
The coffee machines at Shenandoah Joe are located behind the bar so customers can watch their coffee being made.

blends structured to be appealing to the drinker. Bradford’s personal suggestion is the “brain freeze”, which she says is their best cold brew.

Shenandoah Joe is also very popular with college students, who are allured by the great atmosphere and good coffee. Clare O’Brien is a senior at JMU and likes how Shenandoah Joe is bigger than a lot of other coffee shops, which sets it apart from the competition. Shenandoah Joe is one of Clare’s favorite coffee shops and would definitely recommend it.