Have you ever found a place where time seems to not exist? A restaurant that feels like you’re constantly sitting in front of your fireplace at Christmastime? Until Webster’s, my answer to these questions would be no. However, after discovering this literal underground cafe, I pity the time before I knew of its existence.

Webster’s Bookstore Cafe is the epitome of the idealized quaint, aesthetic, cozy coffee shop. It’s walls are lined with bookcases full of the major works and mostly any novel one aspires to read. Theres a small corner hidden by the stacks with a few creatively decorated tables for students to hang around and socialize, study, or read a good book. The decor is immaculate, not modern and cold but rather inviting and full of warmth and love. There’s a section of vintage vinyls one could purchase, as well as a small interior shop full of vintage clothing and artifacts. It contains all of the atmospheric elements of the perfect small coffee shop and holds the power to rid all sadness and stress from the mind and body.

As amazing as the shop itself is, the coffee simply adds to the appeal. One medium house blend of their drip coffee is $3.07 with add-ins ranging between an espresso shot for $0.47 and milk being less than a dollar. There are a wide range of beverage options, from espresso shots to americanos to cafe au lait to a wall of organic teas that are brewed right before your eyes. The cafe also offers breakfast and lunch food options that inexpensive and mouth-watering. However, the biggest pro of Webster’s is that they provide refills for a mere $0.94. I could spend less than $5.00 in this cafe for two amazing cups of coffee, which is the price of one mediocre cup at most other shops. Can you say “yes, please”?

Despite the perfection of Webster’s dining and ambience, there are some cons to choosing this coffee shop over others. First of all, the location is less than ideal. While it resides in downtown State College and is not a far walk from the edge of campus, it is not the best place for a stop-and-grab coffee, unless you’re coming from off-campus. If you live on campus, coming to Websters should be a planned experience that you make sure you have time for.

Secondly, you can’t order ahead like you can at Starbucks or Edge. Webster’s attempts to conserve the classic coffee shop sit-in experience and does not have an order ahead option. This again makes it a struggle to stop by just for a quick pick-me-up and rather makes the shop part of an excursion.

Comparing Webster’s Bookstore Cafe to EDGE, I would place it a few notches above. While EDGE takes the cake on effectiveness and convenience, Websters knocks out EDGE with the punches of the perfect coffee shop atmosphere and delectable food and beverage. It hits the bullseye on illustrating why college students are addicted to the process and idea of getting coffee, as it draws in students with it’s vintage vibrations and makes them feel at home. Next time you’re craving a good sit-down coffee study session, you better be running (no walking) out the door to Webster’s Bookstore Cafe!