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The Conversation
The Conversation
Conrad Kickert, Associate Professor of Architecture, University at Buffalo

Indie coffee shops are meant to counter corporate behemoths like Starbucks – so why do they all look the same?

Many coffee shops today seem to be aesthetically divorced from time and place. stomy/iStock via Getty Images

Like many young, urban professionals, we run on coffee. We especially enjoy frequenting independently owned cafes that pride themselves on ethically sourced beverages, strong local ties and a hip aesthetic.

They’re the kinds of places that sneer at the homogenization and predictability of Tim Hortons, Second Cup, Dunkin and Starbucks.

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