For a guy who claims not to like coffee, Steve McClintock who, with his sister Holly Bowling, owns Cook Street Coffee, certainly knows the way to a coffee drinker's heart.  "We make the best coffee in town," he said with confidence.

McClintock's passion for creating the perfect café seems equaled by his love of the arts.  When redesigning the former Caribou Coffee, he brought in artists and artisans to assist with the project.  "The paint is three-dimensional," he said, touching the wall behind him, which is crafted to look more like subtle wood grain than plaster. In some areas, circular colored glass is worked into the design. Intriguing works of art are hung on the walls and are swapped out on a regular basis.

McClintock's love of the arts inspired him to start Art N' Java, which will begin this Saturday from 8 a.m until Noon.  Every Saturday until Christmas, Cook Street Coffee will host a different artist in the café.  "We're giving people the opportunity to come in and get a quick and easy gift, made by a local artists," General Manager Kristin Beecher said. 

"There's going to be a wide variety," Beecher said.  "From small, glass mosaic mirrors, ornaments, little kids' reversible jumpers."  There will also be plenty of musical entertainment.  The band, "Second Wind", which consists of Joyce Palmquist and Doug Saylor, will perform on Dec. 4 and "These Guys These Guys" will play on Dec. 11.

"Barrington is an arts community," said Beecher.  "It's something that people are interested in living and interested in doing.  It's what brings us together."

If You Go:

Cook Street Coffee

100 East Station Street

Barrington

Event Hours: Every Saturday through Christmas, 8 a.m. to Noon.

Regular Store Hours: Monday through Friday    6 a.m.– 7 p.m.
    

Saturday and Sunday  7 a.m.– 6 p.m.

Call: 847-387-3768   or visit www.cookstreetcoffee.com