This is a test. Blogs and podcasts, they're all the rage right? Well, I found that we had set this up so I'm going to give it a go! So for this test, where have we come from, what are we, and where are we going. When I (Chris), (hi), took over Pour Jons almost 3 years ago I had no idea what I was doing, where coffee comes from and how to brew it right...well I knew nothing except that I loved the shop, people, music, and caffeination. I still have a lot to learn! But we, Pour Jons, and it really is we, because my amazing wife Emily Moore, the supremely creative Arlene McCloud, and barista extraordinaire Mr Hunter Black have as much to say about this lovely place, are always trying to get better. Always looking for new and interesting coffees and musics and foods and we love this town. We hope to be a community hub. A place where people meet, to form new business plans, catch up with an old friend, get studying done, or plot to over throw the government, and while you're at it try something delicious, maybe something you can't find anywhere else around. So you may ask who are all these weird bands we hear about and why do sell vinyl records, who listens to vinyl anyway. We are getting a lot of small independent bands who are passing to the next town stopping to play music and we are seeing some amazing talent! Its usually a small crowd but our dream is to develop the music scene in Siloam and that means anyone who wants to play book a show! Let's make local music a happening thing, grow a community of musicians! We have open mic night the last Thursday of each month so come out and jam, and then come to a show. I believe the quote with all my heart that without music life is a mistake. In that vein the reason we do vinyl is because the whole experience of listening to a piece of music on vinyl, hunting down the album, the art, pulling the disc out and cleaning it and setting the needle down to hear that light crackle and reading the liner notes while you listen is like nothing else. Vinyl has a niche for everyone. Maybe you collect deleted Smiths singes, or original, not re-released mind you Frank Zappa albums, or you're just trying to find another of the hundreds of different versions of St. James Infirmary Blues. There's something for everyone. Streaming music has its place in the background but to truly get the fullness of an album vinyl is the way to go, and getting together with friends a crate of records and talking about music?! what's better than that?! We take the same care when it comes to coffee because like the artist puts their heart and soul into a piece of music, the farmers and roasters put their heart, soul, sweat, and money into producing a perfect bean so we try and put the same care into providing you with a great cup and a great experience. We also try to give you coffees you can't get anywhere else, this week we will have a couple coffees from Oddly Correct in Kansas City, one of the best in the midwest, and we be having a limited amount of Sight Glass coffee from San Francisco in the shop soon! We are the only shop in Arkansas right now serving Topeca coffee and we always have an offering from Onyx Coffee in Springdale which are just the best! So that's what we're about and we welcome your input!! Let us know what we can do better, converse with the baristas about a coffee you like or don't like, a record you like or you just want us to take off the turntable! The best thing about downtown Siloam and it's surroundings is the community and we hope to foster that and be apart of it, it's a great town! Well I hope that wasn't too boring. Next weeks post will be much more interesting, who knows what it'll be about...I don't even know yet. Have a great week and I'll see you in the shop!
---Jon Pour
