Spend five minutes in Avril 50 and you'll see why its owner, John Shahidi, describes it as an oasis. In this eclectic store on 34th and Sansom Streets—part coffee shop, part bookstore—opera music and cigars abound. Posters, wrapping paper and cards line the walls. There are tidy rows of any kind of tea you could possibly want. Walk around and you'll see the prettiest postcards, most delicious chocolates and most expansive collection of magazines.
John is a sweet man with thick–framed glasses and a poetic way of speaking. He founded Avril 50 when he was working towards his masters in political science at Penn. Ever since, he has traveled widely, collecting souvenirs and bringing back the best to Avril 50. "Experience first," he says. "I look for things, different things. If I know something's right, I'll order it. Otherwise, I won't."
Everything John does, he does with intention—a philosophy that has characterized Avril 50's 32 years of existence. Avril 50's striking design is the product of this curious and independent individual. So is its signature brew of coffee, which John spent four years perfecting. He won't shy away from admitting, "Everybody loves it."
As a coffee devotee, I can safely say those four years were worth it. Avril 50's coffee is the best on campus. The iced coffee comes with coffee cubes in it to maximize flavor and eliminate dilution. The chocolate–covered espresso beans are the ideal combination of sweetness, savoriness and crunchiness. The German chocolates are incredible, while the hot coffee would impress the toughest of critics. John has thought through every last detail. He perfects what he loves, and he loves Avril 50.
Many Philadelphia stores are forgettable venues for satisfying caffeine cravings, but Avril 50 provides a distinct experience. Catch a whiff of fresh coffee and salted caramels as you pick out postcards. Read The Iowa Review, Cosmopolitan or Playboy (depending on your literary preferences) as you sip that famous signature brew. Hear about generations of Quakers from the man who has experienced so much.
"This was what was here at the beginning, from the beginning," John says, his tone the tone of a proud parent. "And [Avril 50]'s still like that, and it's still one of a kind. No campus has this except Penn. Even San Francisco doesn't have it. New York doesn't have it. Not this. This is an oasis. It takes Penn students out of everywhere. It puts them in a relaxing spot. They can come relax, calm down, then go out and face the world."
