If you are looking for your next fix of pumpkin spice this fall, Borderlands Coffee, located in the lobby of the Schupf Arts Center in Waterville, Maine, has you covered. Not only does Borderlands sell amazing specialty espresso, but on Thursdays Borderlands offers 13 percent off all handcrafted beverages to Colby students, faculty, and staff. All you have to do is show your ID.
Michael Bragg, the owner of Borderlands Coffee, said that this is the business’ second year running the discount. What prompted him to start offering the discount was to both express appreciation for the space and to draw in engagement: “This building is obviously owned by Colby [College] — very appreciative for the spot. It’s a really cool building. I wanted a way to engage students, faculty, teachers, and anybody really from schools, not just Colby — all of them. I wanted a way to engage them, let them know I was here.”
Bragg noted that lately more people have been interacting with the discount: “The first year, there wasn’t a lot of interaction with it. …Now that we’re in our third fall, a lot of students know us now and we have a pretty strong following.”
Ultimately, Bragg said the discount is his way of “giving back and saying thank you.”
Additionally, the Thursday discount is not the only way Borderlands Coffee gives back to the community. Bragg said, “As a business owner, you get approached a lot by people to help with certain things, and we’re not quite in the position to help with a lot, but I choose a few that I’m able to give back to.” Bragg shared how he has worked with Fairfield PAL soccer and the local fire department, usually in the form of donations at fundraising events.
However, Bragg still wishes to give back to the community more. “As things continue to progress,” as Bragg said, “I’m hoping that I can do more, give back more, because it is a really cool community — I grew up here.”
Also, not only does Borderlands Coffee make great specialty beverages, but they also offer seasonal specials. This fall, they are offering a pumpkin spice latte, a honey brown butter latte, and an apple butter chai. Bragg said that their seasonal flavors stay somewhat similar through the years, but they still try to mix things up: “In the fall, it’s always pumpkin spice and then something else, and this year it’s brown butter. …Then the winter’s always gingerbread and then something else seasonal.”
However, Bragg notes that some seasonal drinks are still popular today: “We did a banana bread latte that a lot of people still order, and a coconut macadamia latte. Those are the two that have carried through the years that people still like.”
Not only does Borderlands Coffee serve great specialty coffee, but their simpler options are also enjoyable. Summer Woo `28 said, “I think Borderlands Coffee has great quality drinks. I personally always get the iced latte with oatmilk.”
Regarding his goals with Borderlands Coffee, Bragg said, “My only real goal is to bring good coffee to Waterville to help Waterville to be a more attractive location for people.” Because Bragg did not find any other businesses doing just coffee in Waterville, Bragg said, “That’s my focus. People know that I do coffee. That’s what I hope to do super well.”
So, if you need an excuse to treat yourself to a specialty coffee drink, on Thursdays go visit Borderlands Coffee for 13 percent off with your Colby ID. Even if you do not make it on Thursday, Borderlands Coffee serves amazing specialty coffee and seasonal beverages that are worth stopping in for, and they may even keep you coming back for more.
~ Haley Hegarty `28
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