Elizabethtown is crawling with coffee shops. There is one on every corner and multiple within walking distance of one another.
Located at 206 S Market Street in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, this coffee shop resides in the HUB On Market, a marketplace home to many businesses including WhirliGig Unique Boutiques, Hive Etown, Snake and Skein, and EVO 206 Coffee Co.
EVO 206 was created by the owners of the HUB to serve their patrons and the whole Etown community. Their name and mantra, “Join the Evolution,” is inspired by the constant evolution of the HUB as the community changes and grows.
After reviewing the website and reading reviews, I must say my expectations were high.
They are fairly priced, cheaper than your average chain establishment. The average cost for a large drink is around five dollars to six dollars, give or take depending on your order. For students at Etown, be sure to bring along your ID for a student discount, making the trip even more worth the cost.
I went in around 12:30 p.m. on a Thursday, it wasn’t busy and service was quick. The barista was friendly and greeted me as soon as I walked through the door. I ordered a 20 ounce, hot Lucky Charms Latte. It was made with Irish creme, toasted marshmallow, espresso and oatmilk.
It was rich and the espresso was strong. Given the description, I was expecting overly sweet. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn’t.
I was in for another surprise as well. I took my drink to go, even though they have a seating area. There are tables and booths and music playing creating a peaceful ambiance. It is the perfect location to bring your back pack and set up camp. Order a couple of coffees and food, put in your headphones and people watch while you work on that paper that’s half your grade, study for your exam or even just a simple homework assignment.
Despite the homey details, I chose to enjoy my coffee in my own home. It wasn’t until I arrived home and took off the lid that I found the coffee didn’t reach the top of the cup. The surface of the coffee sat about an inch and a half to two inches below the rim. Unfortunately, the quality of the drink did not make up for lack of quantity.
I choose to give the benefit of the doubt, perhaps it was an off day, a miscommunication or the drink itself. However, as a college student sometimes struggling to make ends meet, I have to be careful where I spend money. This is not a huge issue for me, but it is a discouraging factor. This makes it difficult to justify a return.
For me, the hours are inconvenient and inconsistent across the board. On the HUB’s website, the hours are listed as follows:
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Yet on their FaceBook, the hours are very different and listed as follows:
Monday – Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The inconsistency makes it difficult to know when to visit, and if the website is accurate, making it there before 2 p.m. is not an easy feat for a student with a busy schedule.
It is a beautiful shop, and the staff is exceptionally kind. The product is very good, and their motto is inspiring. To evolve with the times can be a difficult task with how quickly the world is changing.
