Donut shop provides different perspectives, ideas

For our listening post assignment, Brittany Bemis and I decided on a place neither of us never go to: Shipley Donuts.

Before you are quick to judge, claiming numerous college students grab donuts at similar places each morning, consider this: San Marcos consists of a variety of different people from children to senior citizens. This spectrum of residents can be seen at Shipley Donuts and most likely similar local businesses.

Upon entering the donut shop around 6:00 in the morning, Brittany and I noticed an older man sitting at the counter. It was obvious that he was a regular customer, as evidenced by him drinking from his own coffee cup (as opposed to the styrofoam Shipley cups given to customers) and the employees chatted with him as he got up every now and then to fill his coffee cup, looking out the window each time as if he was waiting for someone. Brittany noted that he would probably be an excellent source for local restaurant reviews or suggestions, as he appeared to be a knowledgeable San Marcos resident familiar with local joints.

No more than five minutes after Brittany and I had been sitting in the restaurant did a hurried businessman -- probably in his mid-30's -- walk in and order two sausage and cheese kolaches. Immediately I considered the contrast between the older man and the businessman: how one was leisurely enjoying his coffee while the other was in a bit of a rush, trying to get to work. This observation sparked some story ideas, from the comparison of these two extremes as mentioned to a story focused on retirement and today's economy, posing questions such as: How is retirement in today's society? Are people able to enjoy retirement in today's economic state?

Within 30 minutes, four very different men entered the shop. One was an older man, who seemed to had just woken up and was in a hurry, another was a younger, possibly high school-aged guy, grabbing breakfast before class. One man brought of the female employees breakfast, posing another proposition for a story idea: Working through school (Does the employee not have enough time to get food because she is working numerous hours? Does she have to work through school?).

Another middle-aged man, very friendly man who greeted us, walked into the shop and paid with exact change. He didn't even place an order and the employees had his food ready for him, indicating that he was probably a regular customer.

One other very important observation was the environment, which indicated the type of people who flock to the restaurant. Old posters and signs, including one that read "Microwave in Use: Persons Wearing Pacemakers Should Not Enter Area", may have indicated that mostly older residents might be the most prominent type of people who eat here. Additionally, the old menu and plaques indicating, according to Hays County and the San Marcos Daily Record, that Shipley was voted by residents as the best donut shop in town, suggested that it is a popular place that has been around for many years.

Based on our observations, Brittany and I can agree that several stories could come out of what we've seen and heard during our early morning visit to Shipley. The people who flock here could be excellent sources for a different types of stories and students can learn from the various perspectives customers and employees provide.