Studying, working and connecting with the community are a large part of the coffee shops in downtown Columbia.

The University of South Carolina’s college campus is surrounded by local shops that provide a third space for students to go outside of class or home, said Amelia Sapp, a barista at Knowledge Perk.

Sapp, a student at USC, said coffee shops are not only a place to be off campus, but also a spot to engage with the community.

“I hardly meet anyone who doesn’t drink coffee as a college student,” Sapp said. “Finding a good coffee shop is important because you can study there and meet with friends.”

It helps that Knowledge Perk is across Gervais Street from USC’s law school.

Coffee shops may be a popular place for college students, but Fatima El Hooni, Knowledge Perk’s manager, said a large part of the customer base is also Columbia residents.

She said since it’s a local shop, she and her staff see a lot of regulars.

“I love seeing the same faces every day and getting to make them their daily cup of coffee,” El Hooni said.

That might be what brings customers in, too – seeing familiar faces.

Other places see the same thing.

Bonnie Dawson, barista and catering supervisor at Azalea Coffee Bar, said regulars are also a large part of who walks through the door.

Azalea is on Devine Street, just up the hill from the busy Five Points.

“We have a really large customer base of regulars,” Dawson said. “We know their names, they know our names and they come in really often.”

Grace Tippett, a USC law student, said part of what keeps her going back to those shops is that they are local.

“I really try to make it a point to support local businesses,” Tippett said. “It makes you feel good knowing that the people who work here live in the community.” 

Tippett said she regularly attends both shops because they provide a welcoming and fun environment, which is what makes them so popular.

Azalea is women-owned, too, and it feels cozy.

“I think a coffee shop has to have a good vibe on the inside,” Tippett said. “I feel really affected by the vibe of a place, so I appreciate being somewhere relaxing.”