Why more coffee is never a bad thing

I had a pleasant surprise this morning. A new Little Red Roaster had just opened its doors in the Renaissance building on King Street. That's the massive new apartment building that's changed the London skyline and promises to do it again with a twin building going up beside it. It's also on my way to just about everywhere.

Though I try to be loyal to Hasbeans, the micro-roaster in the Covent Garden Market whose lively staff never fail to brighten my morning, I couldn't be happier about the new coffee shop in the neighbourhood. It's steps from my door and has a fireplace and couches that promise a quiet spot to read or to chat with friends.

More importantly though, downtown can never have enough fun places to visit at street level. Hopefully the Roaster will inspire more building owners and developers to incorporate retail and food on the ground floor of office and apartment buildings. It also means that the chances of another little shop or two in the Renaissance, and in its soon-to-arrive sister building on York Street, are good. If King Street renewal continues to creep its way westward I will indeed be a happy -- and well-caffeinated -- camper.