Changing leaves turn hearts, taste buds to local coffee shops for autumnal amp-up
Autumn has appeared, and the local cafés of Oshkosh have taken advantage of fall flavors to create their own lineup of seasonal drinks. Three local cafés: New Moon, Caramel Crisp, and Thunderbird Bakery & Café incorporate common flavors associated with the season, including pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and ginger, all of which have been showcased sweetly.
The New Moon Cafe, which has been standing in Oshkosh since 1857, was originally built as the Beckman House Hotel.
“We are a really old building. My parents met and got engaged here in the 90s,” Barista and West alum AJ Conklin said. “I know this building has a lot of history and just a really nice environment.”
Since then, the historic building has become a hub for local students at the UWO campus and surrounding schools as a known study spot.
“New Moon is just very cozy and centrally located; the vibes are very nice here.” sophomore Annabelle Schmitz said.
Not only is The New Moon a great study spot, but an overall nice restaurant.
“I also really like their coffee, and running into literally everyone I know here,” Schmitz said.
The location of New Moon makes it easily accessible for students of Oshkosh, being nestled on the corner by the Sundial on Main Street. As for New Moon’s fall factor, the café has a new selection of fall drinks to celebrate the season. Some of the featured flavors include: Hay Ride, a vanilla and butterscotch latte, Harvest Moon, a cinnamon and hazelnut latte, and Leaf Pile, which includes hints of orange, amaretto, and chocolate.
“We get really creative with our flavors, like we pick out our flavor of the day each day,” Conklin said. “We try to mix and match and try to make some fun stuff.”
New Moon is a well-loved community favorite located in the heart of downtown Oshkosh.
Up next is Caramel Crisp, a mix of cafe and bookstore creating the perfect, cozy fall vibes for any autumn lover. One of the biggest draws for Caramel Crisp is its extensive menu. From ice cream to hot sandwiches, Caramel Crisp has it all.
“We make everything fresh,” Merrilee Janice, a long time employee, said. “We make our own caramel corn, popcorn, cheesecakes, and we make our own cookies. We make our own pies from scratch and you can’t really get any better than that.”
Caramel Crisp is not currently featuring any fall drinks but has the iconic pumpkin spice flavor available to add in any drink. The environment at Caramel Crisp is a community favorite in downtown Oshkosh.
“I loved working here and putting the orders together and meeting new people,” community member Michelle Kampa said. “It was always very busy but really fun.”
As a previous worker who happened to stop by for a cookie, Kampa commented on what it’s been like to watch Caramel Crisp grow over the years.
“I’ve been here for close to 10 years,” she said. “It’s been so fun to see how they’ve expanded and the new things they have to offer here.”
From a small shop to an ever growing downtown staple, Caramel Crisp has added a new book store and childrens store section. From gifts, cookies, and the smell of fresh popcorn, Caramel Crisp gives a wide selection to their dedicated customers.
The last café spotlight focuses in on Thunderbird Bakery, a newer café in Oshkosh that was opened in January of 2023. Started with the intent of bringing fresh pastries and bread to the community, Thunderbird Bakery offers customers fresh flavors and organic undertones. Not only does Thunderbird Bakery bring unique tastes to Oshkosh, but the café also supports other local businesses.
“I love how there are local products featured throughout the store,” Oshkosh North student Isabella Loiacono said. “Ruby’s Coffee and Grandma Blake’s Jam is all for sale here. It’s fun to see other local businesses supporting one another.”
What's more is the featured fall menu. One unique flavor Thunderbird Bakery & Cafe is bringing to the table is an apple cider chai.
“I love the chai here and how spicy it is,” a Thunderbird Cafe customer said. “There aren’t really any cafés that have such flavorful chai.”
This specialty drink featured apple cider from Redmond’s Apple Basket, a local apple farm just north of Ripon.
Oshkosh continues to wow the Fox Valley with a wide selection of cozy cafés to choose from this fall season. From the brand new Thunderbird Bakery and classic cafés like New Moon and Caramel Crisp, all have variety to offer. Despite the changing leaves, some things remain static.
“It’s kind of stayed the same over the years, which is nice,” Oshkosh North sophomore Logan Luft said. “The only thing that has really changed is the amount of plants.”
by Kassandra B-J and Delaney S.
Published on October 30, 2023
Oshkosh West Index vol 120 Issue II