Obviously, we’re voting for the thrill that comes with being good citizens and to make real and lasting change in our country and our world … but when you take a day that’s already a bit overcast and gloomy, add an extra errand into an already busy schedule, and then mix in the stress of wondering about voter turnout and election results — well, we could all use a pick-me-up.
Luckily, a few local coffee shops think we voters deserve a little extra TLC, and your I Voted sticker will get you these perks at local coffee shops today. (Yes, “perks” is a terrible pun. Sadly, you cannot vote me out of office.)
Free Black Coffee at Satellite
Satellite (the Domestique cafe at Saturn) is giving a free black coffee with your I Voted sticker. (Also, Saturn will have the election results on multiple screens tonight and will serve $3 tall boys to anyone with a sticker.)
200 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222 // opens at 7 a.m.
Free Chai Tea at Piper & Leaf
Piper & Leaf is offering free 12 oz. chais at their Pizitz shop — that includes Pumpkin Moonshine, Caramel Apple Pie, Sweetie Pie Chai and Summertime Chai.
1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 // 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free Mug of Coffee at The Abbey
The Abbey is offering “12 oz. mugs of drip coffee and a few nice seasonal delicacies.” (They also mentioned that the social justice comes free, haha.)
131 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222 // 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free Small Coffee (+10% off) at Crestwood Coffee
Crestwood Coffee is giving a free small coffee, plus 10% off your order.
5512 Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35212 // 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free Bonbon at Chocolata
Chocolata is giving a complimentary red, white and blue dark chocolate ganache bonbon to each voter (up to 120).
1927 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 // 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$1 off Purchase at Revelator and Sweet Jon’s
Revelator is giving $1 off a purchase (Sweet Jon’s Cafe, which is part of the Revelator chain, is doing the same).
1826 3rd Ave N Unit 101, Birmingham, AL 35203 // 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
2510 Park Ln Ct S, Mountain Brook, AL 35223 // 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2821 Central Ave, Homewood, AL 35209 // 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Did I Leave out Your Favorite Local Shop?
I put this list together based on my favorite shops and a few offers I saw on Instagram; it’s by no means extensive. If your favorite shop is offering something special for voters, tag me on social media (I’m @crollwagen everywhere), and I’ll do my best to work it into this blog. But I’ll be working on Tuesday after I go vote, and I might not be able to make updates, so the best way to let people know about election day deals you like is to use your social media accounts to promote them to your followers.
Carrie Rollwagen is author of The Localist, a book about buying from locally owned stores. She’s Communications Director at Infomedia, a web development company in Birmingham, Alabama. Find her as @crollwagen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and most other social media platforms.