Caroline Franks, Consultant
Over the past two years at Baylor University, I’ve spent countless hours completing homework assignments, studying for various exams, and writing (so much writing)! And through this experience, one thing that I’ve discovered is absolutely necessary is a creative work environment. As a result, I’ve spent time at every coffee shop in town while searching for my favorite places, and I’ve compiled my top four spots here to share with you (in no specific order). Each spot has a different atmosphere and energy to match your writing day mood, helping you to make great progress, no matter the writing task.
Pinewood
Pinewood is a popular study destination for Baylor students, and with good reason. There’s nothing like a rainy-day Pinewood experience for cozy atmosphere, surrounded by dim lighting, wiid accents, big windows, and general 70s style. When I have a long paper to write, I tend to gravitate to Pinewood and set up camp there for at least few hours at a time, with the quiet background noise of the space helping me focus on extended tasks. The only downfall is the busy nature of the coffee shop, which can make finding a spot quite difficult, particularly in the afternoon. However, if you get there early and find a nice seat, you’ll definitely be able to complete an assignment or two.
Fabled Bookshop and Café
Fabled is an absolute favorite of mine! The creative energy is like no other, with the colorful accents, whimsical décor, and tasty drinks. This makes it the perfect spot when I need to brainstorm new ideas or to edit a paper to enhance its quality. However, Fabled is also the perfect spot for taking a much-break from a current writing task, with little surprises around each corner of the store that are perfect for taking a few moments away from your work. I typically gravitate towards the seasonal table, coffee table books, or JellyCat selection in the children’s section, but there’s something close by for every personality and preference. Because of this balance, Fabled has consistently been a spot where I can read articles, write a paper, or relax and enjoy a new book.
Magnolia Press
This spot genuinely makes me feel like I’m on vacation, which is quite inspirational when I feel burnt out from the writing workload of the semester. Almost every time I go to Magnolia Press, there’s a multitude of tourists, which provides such an electric and excitable energy that is positively contagious. This energy inspires me when I’m trying to start new projects or begin writing a paper that I might have been procrastinating on, making it really helpful for breaking through barriers like writer’s block. And for an added incentive, whenever it’s time to take a break, I can just pop into one of the many stores on Magnolia’s property. This unique space provides a lot of motivation for me, and I hope it can for you too!
For Keeps Coffee and Bakery
This is one of my newer study spots. For Keeps is further from Baylor’s campus, but it’s a nice retreat from the typical campus environment. The relaxing and subdued atmosphere genuinely makes me feel like I’m at a coffee shop on the beach (which would be my ideal work environment). This environment inspires me to work on writing projects that I may have had on the back burner or that seemed stressful to get started on, as the calming energy enhances my readiness to take on these projects. Along with the calming atmosphere, For Keeps always has a delicious selection of pastries that perfectly complements the drink selection, so you can get yourself a treat for taking on a difficult task. One downfall is that parking is hard to come by, but if you get there early you’ll definitely be able to find a spot.
Space
All in all, there’s a lot of great coffee shops around Waco, and each has something unique to offer as a workspace. Hopefully this review will inspire you to try some new study spots as well, ones that will inspire your writing as they have inspired my own.