Lux Coffeebar

Remember the Simpsons episode in which Homer, Marge, and the kids visit a mall in which every store except one is a Starbucks? Even worse, as soon as they leave the one non-Starbucks store left, it changes into yet another outlet of the Seattle-based coffee chain. Back in the early '90s, Starbucks set up its first Phoenix shop at Terminal 4 at Sky Harbor Airport. Then, Starbucks was considered cool and the chain's arrival in Phoenix was high anticipated. Nearly two decades later, the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, like most of the country, is now saturated with Starbucks.

If the proliferation of chain coffeehouses on every corner has had one beneficial effect, it is to make local, independent places stand out more as alternatives. Those independent coffee houses that survive must do so by creating an unique atmosphere coupled with consistently high quality food and beverage. Lux, located just across the street from the Campbell / Central Avenue station, is a favorite among Central Phoenix residents who still crave an independent coffee house experience. Lux was orginally started by the couple that later went on to establish Lola, the tapas bar not far away on Camelback Road. Since then, the ownership has changed, but the essence of Lux has remained fundamentally unchanged.

The atmosphere is just hip enough to be interesting, but not so much so to be intimidating. The shoebox-style space that Lux occupies is divided into several zones: a lounge area is filled with comfortable couches, chairs, and coffee tables, creating a place for socializing or reading the paper. Along the southern wall, long tables are the seating of choice for those plugging in laptops in order to take advantage of free and robust wireless Internet access. Be warned, though, that unhip Windows users may feel overwhelmed by the ocean of Apple Macbooks. At the counter where orders are taken and delivered, a small shelf full of children's books, toys, and games is a nice family-friendly touch. Outside, Lux shares picnic tables with its neighbor Pane Bianco. Shaded and mist-cooled, this patio is a great place for those who want to sit outdoors and watch the trains go by.

The good relationship with Pane Bianco allows some mixing of the two experiences. Despite its great sandwiches, Chris Bianco's sandwich shop offers a limited beverage and dessert selection. It's therefore not uncommon to create a hybrid meal from food and drink purchased at both places. Lux seems to be fine with customers bringing their chic sandwiches, salads, and foccaccia from next door as long they purchase something from Lux. The coffee beverages (center photo below) are all first-rate, with the beans roasted on the premises. Those beans are sold by the bag for brewing coffee at home. for those who don't favor coffee, the hot chocolate, cider, and lemonade are all nice alternatives Several teas offered are in Republic of Tea bags, and Lux sometimes has a few herbal blends that are brewed with loose tea.

For snacking, Lux offers a variety of baked goods (right photo below). Amazingly, these are usually prepared on site in a tiny kitchen toward the back. A space the size of most aircraft galleys turns out some fairly good pies, muffins, cookies, brownies, and other indulgences. Lux is not going to put Tammie Coe or Sweet Pea out of business, but the handcrafted feel of their baked goods is so much nicer than the individually wrapped products often delivered from off site to the chains. Continental breakfast is an option with choices like granola, croissants, and muffins. There is usually some fresh fruit available as lighter touch. Lux is open every day from 7 AM until 10 PM, making it a nice choice before work, after dinner, or anywhere in between, but unfortunately not an option for late night relaxation. An after hours coffee house is still an unrealized dream of Camelback Road.

Lux is about to face some nearby competition from a coffee house set to open just a few blocks away at Central and Highland Avenues. Ironically, the new entrant to the north will be owned by Daniel Wayne, one of Lux's founders. It will reportedly be named Lola Coffee, essentially transplanting the small coffee house operation now in place at Lola Tapas during the daylight hours. Likewise, the Dutch Brothers chain is opening soon on the northwest corner of Central and Camelback. Do all these events add up to the Simpsons nightmare scenario of a mall full of Starbucks? Not exactly. Lux and Lola are both independent and likely to remain that way. Dutch Brothers is more about quick grab-and-go beverages than hipsterish lounging. Just as the infamous "Marge vs. the Monorail" episode of the Simpsons has had little to do with the reality of light rail in Phoenix, the proliferation of coffee in Uptown Phoenix is more about variety than a Springfield scene of Starbucks sameness.

4404 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85012 | Map
(602) 696-9976
http://www.luxcoffee.com

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