SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 An Exploration of the Northwest's Drive-Through Espresso Stands Driven to Espresso An endearing and captivating exploration of the Northwesterner's caffeine lust and the coffee stands that serve them EDMONDS, WA, -- A ubiquitous Northwest oddity, the drive-through espresso stand, has been authoritatively and photographically documented by Ray Weisgerber in his new book, Driven to Espresso: drive-through coffee stands in the Northwest. This author, photographer, and coffee enthusiast has made himself curator of these kitschy enterprises, documenting them throughout the vast reaches of the Northwest. This cultural phenomenon was expertly captured in stunning black and white photography over the course of five years. The accompanying words tell the stories of the entrepreneurs, their bustling or fledgling operations (all of which are tiny), and the various quirks they employ to stay afloat. Architecture and signage--the pictorial subjects--are the most curious features, as they must attract passing drivers' attention to sustain the business. Driven to Espresso is the bible on the peculiarity of the drive-through espresso stand. The book tracks the industry from its infancy in the early 1980s to today, tracing the evolution from sidewalk carts to million-dollar operations. Rapid growth and rapid return on investment, not to mention our heightened addiction to caffeine, are the main reasons for this niche industry's abundance in the Northwest's landscape. Today there are hundreds or perhaps thousands in this region--no one actually knows how many because they aren't tracked by any organization or agency. According to a recent National Coffee Association survey, despite the recession, the nationwide demand for specialty coffee has risen. Nevertheless, some individual stands have found business slumping off. Faced with competition, some stands dress baristas in bikinis and negligees to spice up the cappuccinos. Weisgerber's dedication took him from the Washington-British Columbia border to Eureka, California, and eastward to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. He visited and photographed over 200 stands, ultimately including more than 100 of the most unique and representative stands in the book. The subject of quality espresso, small business entrepreneurship and concession to Americans in their beloved cars (which serve as personal bubbles of home-like comforts), form the basis of Driven to Espresso. Besides the physical and evolutionary aspects of the businesses, his book exemplifies how Northwestern interpersonal culture is split between relaxed, face-to-face transactions in cafes to a drive-through society. Clearly, the demand for convenience is noticed throughout rural, suburban and urban business models. Driven to Espresso is available at retail and online outlets. For a list of specific retailers, visit: www.1by1publishing.com/retailers.html. ### This release is available in electronic form at 1by1publishing.com/news/ Contact information and details Title: Driven to Espresso?Drive-through Coffee Stands in the Northwest ISBN: 978-0-615-23089-4 Price: $19.95 No. pages: 128 BW Binding: paperback Dimensions: 8x8 inches 1 by 1 Publishing P O Box 1391 Edmonds WA 98020 (206) 465-9701 info@1by1publishing.com