I’ve attended and covered hundreds of car shows, cruise-ins and concours in the past seven years writing for Wheels, and many more in the 20 years previous. That said, there’s a new kid on the block, and it’s really different; its low-maintenance, high enjoyment, and has a great car vibe. Set your alarm on Saturday morning, and head for Cars & Coffee, no mater what you drive!
In its second season and now located on the top floor of the West parking garage at The Greene (from the Greene Blvd. entrance at Indian Ripple Road, take Greene Blvd. to Walnut Street, turn right. Proceed to Birch Alley, turn left. Garage is on the right.), the every-other-Saturday event has no real structure. It’s just a place and time where car people of all kinds can get together and enjoy their wheels. There’s no entry fee, no time to arrive and leave, no assigned parking and no hassle. Some people are there first thing and stay til 11 a.m.; others roll in at 9 and leave at 10. Some people shine their cars, others just walk around. Some bring their own coffee; others head to the Panera to grab a to-go cup.
Where else on a Saturday morning can you find: a Corvette Z06 parked next to an E-type Jag, a Cadillac STS next to an Acura NSX, a 356 Porsche by a Camaro, a ’32 High Boy next to a Miata? You see what I mean? Ferrari, Porsche, Subaru, Chevy Cruz, Civic, BMW, Nissan, Mustang, Camaro, Cobra, Triumph, Trans Am, Sunbeam, Focus, and on and on. This is just plain cool. It might be about as good as it gets, where everyone is on the same page, which is whatever page they want to be on.
Twenty-somethings in Civic tuners are caught talking with gray hairs driving a hot rod. Thirty-somethings are asking about the back story of a dune buggy, and a few dads are there with their young children, strapped into car seats. All of them are having a good time.
The next four dates on the website are June 6, June 20, July 4 and July 18. The mission statement is simple: An informal gathering of car hobby enthusiasts who meet and share their passion for motorsports. Everyone is invited with no memberships or dues required. We welcome all enthusiasts but we ask that everyone who attends is respectful to everyone else.
I think they got that right, so get in your ride and head on over. You’re gonna like the way it feels, I guarantee it.