Towering above the pavement was the triumphant sight of The Commons, the neighborhood’s newest and hippest hangout spot. In all honesty, we hadn’t stumbled upon “Thonglor’s backyard” by accident. We had spent the previous two hours wandering up and down Sukhumvit 55 looking for a particular coffee shop, only to find that it was not a shop, but rather part of The Commons’ food court.
The building was a sight for sore eyes. Its walls were made of concrete slabs and for the most part, it was open to the air outside. Walking up its main staircase, I was reminded that I once dreamed of becoming an architect. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a penchant for numbers and equations. Nonetheless, I can still marvel at great architecture, and The Commons was definitely something to marvel at.
No brisk walkers here; people were encouraged to roll out a picnic blanket and while away the hours with their family, friends, and even pets.
So what was The Commons? Was it a mall? The answer is yes and no. It had all the workings of a mall: chic restaurants, a great gym, and extensive food court, but it wasn’t that. The Commons was a gathering ground for people who were passionate about their craft and wanted to share it with the community.
At the entrance of the Market was Roots Coffee. It was a peculiar place to find a coffee shop as, based on my experience, coffee shops were usually small, intimate standalone establishments. You wouldn’t find a coffee shop worth its salt in the middle of a busy food court, which was essentially what the Market was. Yet,it was plain to see that this was a local favorite.
From the observation deck, Roots was a flurry of activity. Surrounding their counters was a halo of people watching the baristas demonstrate their craft. One barista was at work pulling espresso shots, while another was chatting to a customer, and another dishing out their most popular drink, cold brewed coffee.
If the scene were a piece of art hanging in a museum, The Congregation of Coffee would be what I’d call it.
As it turned out, Roots started off as a roastery, and first started brewing for the masses when The Commons opened their doors on January 1, 2016. When I asked the friendly barista about why Roots chose to open within a food court and not in a standalone shop, his answer was simple: the sense of community. There was something special about sharing the space with others who were just as passionate about their own crafts, that brought people of different interests into one space.
Their sense of community extended far beyond the Market. Roots, users of local Thai coffee, worked alongside coffee farmers in northern Thailand to better their working conditions, educate them further, and ensure that they enjoy their work as much as we enjoy their coffee. It took a community of dedicated people to create the perfect latte. The journey from tree to cup was a long one that involved farmers, roasters, and baristas.
For a drink that took a community to make, it makes sense to enjoy it with a community of equally passionate people. Thankfully, there’s a place to find that those passionate souls, a place that was built with that very purpose in mind. Spend a day at The Commons and connect with people, and don’t forget to pay a visit to Roots Coffee.
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Special thanks to the wonderful barista who took the time to talk to me about Roots. I look forward to coming back.
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