Hot Stuff: A Tribe of Awesome Coffee & Tea People

 Hot Stuff Espresso

Connie McGonagle has been a thriving business owner of Hot Stuff Espresso for nearly two decades, this April 20, 2021 will see their 19 year anniversary.  In a new series examining the local cafes and how they relate to Café-Girl Productions, Inc, I sat down with Connie to discuss her view of the café culture and community that she has seen and developed throughout the years.   

Bama relaxes in the sun

Connie began her career in the coffee shop world at a small Dutch Bros coffee shack, the first of its kind, in Shady Cove, Oregon in her sophomore year of high school.  Taught by her beloved friend, Steve, she was brought into the world of all things coffee and café, which led her to pursue this passion in the years that followed.  

Cafe-Girl Sophie helps Customer Bama

In addition to the taste of coffee and tea, Connie mostly loves the social dynamic of a café, which she believes brings much good just by being available.  In previous years, cafes were a place to plan and hold events and to make life long friendships.  In this time of Covid19, when the majority of us have found ourselves deprived from social connection and interaction, the value has increased by cafes providing a safe place to gather, to come back together after isolation, and to connect.

Bama enjoys the view

The cafe culture, in the viewpoint of Connie and Hot Stuff Espresso, is filled with a myriad of awesome coffee and tea people forming a close knit family of the "Coffee Tribe", who come alongside one another to support and uplift during the highs and lows of life.

Bama & Hot Stuff

Hot Stuff Espresso is located at 515 Clover Lane, Ashland, Oregon.  Hours of operation are 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.  In addition, to a wonderful array of coffee and tea drinks, Hot Stuff has wonderful baked goods for sale as well as a beautiful new gazebo for socialization and relaxation.  Find out more about Hot Stuff on Facebook and Instagram. 

Life In A Coffee Shop

Hot Stuff Espresso

DJ Michael: A Message

My friend, DJ Michael J. Hearne, is one of the most positive persons I know, despite hardships and circumstances of life I hardly hear him complain.  There are times when he does, as we all suffer annoyances of life, but a good deal of the time he is actively following his passionate purpose of mixing music and sound on his soundcloud account to better his life situation.  I truly have been inspired and honored to have met him this last year and have gotten to spend some sweet times.  
I share this rant he sent me about a daily part of his life that is an irritant and I share it here because I believe it needs to be shared, as it shows a part of humanity we do not always want to look at or have in our line of sight.  
Although I wish you to know Michael and his little dog, MeMe, as I do, so please head on over to his facebook page and give it a link.  There are links there to his soundcloud account where you can listen to his creations.

https://www.facebook.com/DJMichaelJHearne/

A Rant: I found this parked next to the gazebo this morning.....the bag was stuffed into the back of their little fridge. i found it walking meme along her daily walk alongside the espresso shop...so i pushed it across the street to the Windsor....the rosemary bush on corner of gazebo reeks like urine I'm pondering why nobody stands against this behaviour except downtown. the police "talk" to the homeless, but nothing is seeming to be really done. Dealing with constamt threats and name calling all day long from the homeless as well, not just to me but I see it directed at OTHER patrons and passer-bys! A blonde drunk sits ON AMPM property, drinking steele reserve flying a sign yells at everyone: "What? You can't spare a dollar? Fucking Nigger!" and yet nobody says a word because they "Know" him.

Yet I am the sober one, buying food, soda and cigarettes, polite, non alcoholic stoner is forbidden to sit and eat my purchased meal and told to "move along" Panhandling? Job? For some reason over the years I can't get help for shit whether applying for a job or services for help. With organizations, drug addiction IS in fact a pre-requisite to receive such services for home, job training ...sometimes even warming shelters. In Ashland, I do not qualify for the warming shelter based on a vulnerability status..Only god knows how "Vulnerability" is defined. Just like everything else, I only recieve a book of excuses. Those who DO and HAVE help are those who know me in which I can't thank enough...And all i wanted was a cup of coffee at the Hot Stuff Espresso so i can charge my laptop so I be turned down by more jobs and play wih music.

Leave a comment below.  Check out Michael's link and his music. 

The Thriving Artist is a subset of Cafe-Girl Productions, Inc, a film and media company that supports thriving artists of all variety.  Support us at: www.patreon.com/cafegirlproductions