By Recker McDowell —
Scottsdale ranks as one of the best cities in the country for coffee and is the top city in Arizona to get caffeinated, according to a recent study by WalletHub.
The research firm ranked cities based on the number of coffee shops per capita and overall friendliness to coffee lovers.
Scottsdale’s high ranking shows a lot about the city. Having plenty of coffee shops — whether they be Starbucks, Dutch Bros Coffee, other chains or locals — also shows a lot about a city’s economy.
It’s easy to see an economic development and tourism correlation with having a nice and ample selection of coffee shops. The top coffee chains as well as entrepreneurial locals land where there are close to desired customers.
Tourists, techies, creatives, college students and professionals certainly all like to grab a chai tea latte, mocha or macchiato. Cool coffee shops also often follow a vibrant artistic and culinary community.
We know Scottsdale has plenty of culture and great restaurants.
Scottsdale has plenty of tourists, artists and can grow its technology and professional base even more if it has available and new Class A office space. That has been a challenge for Scottsdale and led some major and desired employers and their workers to move to or land in Tempe or on the Salt River Maricopa Indian Community instead.
Of course, Seattle ranks first nationally on the WalletHub list, but Scottsdale’s top shows the appeal of the city and its culinary and tourism base.
But we must remember any city can’t just rest on its laurels. That includes Scottsdale.
Scottsdale voters have the chance to invest in the city’s future and make needed infrastructure repairs by voting yes on Questions 1, 2 and 3 on the November 5th ballot.
They just need to mail in their ballots now, so they are received by Election Day on Tuesday. Then we can go back to our mochas and lattes.