Under-Foot

I like this idea - chalk/stencil advertising (restrained advertising that is) on footpaths.

I snapped this outside Underground Coffee in Colombo Street (Christchurch) and I sat awhile and watched. It drew a LOT of attention. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. It adds colour and interest to the otherwise dull walkways.

U is for Underground

A Favourite Coffee Spot

Underground

(but not really)

Chrischurch

2009 Ajr

And Speaking of Coffee.........

Underground Coffee, Christchurch. Jan 2009. Ajr

After my posting about Underground Coffee a few days ago (scroll down) and in particular, their cool customer-designed takeaway coffee cups, I have become aware of Sport Stacking. What is Sport Stacking? You may well ask……turns out stacking cups is actually a recognised sport. It originated in Southern California in the 1980s and then a segment on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” in the 1990s gave it the boost it needed to take off. It’s True!

You can check the website – www.speedstacks.com

'Underground' Art Meets Underground Coffee

Underground Cafe, Colombo Street, Christchurch. Jan 2009 Ajr

Underground Coffee Company, Colombo Street, Christchurch. Jan 2009. Ajr

I love street art and I love coffee, so when the two come together I’m happier than a pig in mud. Christchurch’s Underground Coffee Company - so named because the operation started in a basement – has employed the talents of well known Christchurch street artist, Dcypher, to give both its roastery and its nearby café a colourful touch of ‘the underground.’ The walls of the roastery are bright and bold and with sacks of beans and plastic bins (also painted by Dcypher) stacked high, it’s a visual treat. A few doors down the café presents a lively, colourful environment that lends itself to loitering (over coffee) – upstairs and down.

I wish more cafes were brave enough to veer away from trendy, slick interiors that don’t always make the grade.

This is a great spot with a busy hum of satisfaction about it. www.undergroundcoffee.co.nz

Cup Stacks

And Then There Are The Cups..... Underground owner, Pete Davies found himself without his usual source of takeaway cups a while back and he ended up with a big order of plain white cups that weren’t about to inspire anyone. So what did he do? He ran a design competition for his customers and their best designs transformed those plain white cups into a unique brand statement. I’m always inspired by innovative lateral thinking and this seems to brilliant concept to me. I hope he’ll run the competition again - there's potential for all sorts of exciting things to happen. www.undergroundcoffee.co.nz