WASHINGTON 鈥� It鈥檚 time to put an end to the daily grind that is your coffee routine.
With what seems like a new coffeehouse opening every week, there鈥檚 no excuse to settle for the same cup of Joe, day in and day out. A new program is making it easier for Washingtonians to branch out of their caffeinated comfort zones and try more of what D.C.鈥檚 coffee scene has to offer.
is a $20 card that鈥檚 good for one free drink at 17 local coffee shops, including favorites such as Peregrine Espresso, BakeHouse and The Blind Dog Caf茅.
D.C. resident Stephanie Lunieski launched the program 鈥� which is also active in Chicago, Toronto and Montreal 鈥� on Dec. 1 as a way to connect locals with small businesses spread throughout the city. Cardholders have through the end of June to redeem their free drinks.
To build the list of participating cafes, Lunieski had to do her research.
鈥淚 went to a lot of coffee shops these past four months,鈥� she says, adding that many shop owners were immediately on board with the idea.
鈥淚t鈥檚 getting people from all over the city to try these cafes 鈥� and this is their chance to prove to people from all over the city that their cafe is worth going to.鈥�
Each independent location has a special menu available for passport holders, with options ranging from cappuccinos to chai lattes. Cardholders aren鈥檛 just limited to D.C. 鈥� the passport program includes coffeehouses in Arlington and Silver Spring as well.
So far, Lunieski says the response to the program has been great. 鈥淧eople are definitely buying them. I鈥檝e been really busy,鈥� she says. And she hopes this year鈥檚 success will result in growth for next year.
鈥淚 want every coffee shop to be a part of it. I think there are so many great cafes in D.C. 鈥� I would go to every single cafe every day if I could,鈥� she says.
Her best piece of advice to beat winter boredom? 鈥淭ry out new things and explore the city; it鈥檚 fun.鈥�
And cozy up with a cup of coffee to stay warm.
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