Charlie Habegger is not your casual coffee drinker. An Oakland, California, native who moved to Chicago by way of France, Habegger was “raised by disciples of Peet’s” and from an early age has held a firm belief that coffee is a necessary comfort. That conviction was further cemented when Habegger hopped across the pond, discovered espresso culture, and heard his calling like a whispered siren’s song.
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These days Habegger is answering that calling at Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, where he’s progressed from working with wholesale accounts to his current position as an educator. Intelligentsia aficionados take their Sumatra seriously and treat coffee with the same reverence that sommeliers approach wine. “I had a specific French press of coffee from Tanzania in 2008,” Habegger recalls. “That coffee, in a single sip, convinced me that this was a subject worth pursuit.”
I applaud anyone who’s so dedicated to their craft that they carve out part of their environment in order to do things properly. This simple, thoughtful space is a great reflection of someone who takes time to curate items that have purpose and meaning. As we stand at the beginning of what’s sure to be another busy year, it’s a nice reminder to think about what’s important to us—and make some space for it.
