I went to the new Coffee Tree Café today. It is across the river from downtown Bay City, what is that? Uptown? It has the atmosphere down. Tables of dark mahogany or oak, funky black chairs set off a light airy texture. It has the culture of a hep cat. The Metallic Green espresso machine pulls together a vintage theme—the pigment on the canvas of high ceilings, Art Nouveau metal work and chandeliers.

The tea is arranged in its own wooden box. They serve the uncultured Ice Rage, though the barrista admits she has never been asked to make one. They also have many decent espresso drinks at nice prices listed in colored chalk on four simple black boards.

Overall I like the place. I would love it if they had WiFi and replaced the leather couch with a vintage Deco model, the barrista independently agreed. The place has tremendous potential, their success rests on whether they tap in to the coffee culture or start down the slippery slide away from the culture that created it. Well, hey not every place can be Goodbye Blue Monday!