from the editor...
Even before his Pearl District Barista became a coffee cult favorite, Billy Wilson was a celeb in the coffee world (he is, after all, the Northwest Regional Barista Champion). He has now expanded his empire to Vernon, with a second, and larger, café in a new multi-use building. It is, of course, a destination for fine coffee, but with a custom wood bar, leather booths, wallpaper, and near-surround sound speakers, it’s a cozy, classical, self-proclaimed speakeasy-style hangout—and yes, word is they will eventually serve beer in the evenings. Liz Hummer, 5/4/10