The Last Cupping

Just a few weeks ago, we attended a coffee-tasting ritual (called a "cupping") at the Victrola, and crazed roasting genius Tony was there, espousing his bean religion with such fervor that we left inspired ourselves, sinuses filled with nutty aroma and hearts jittery as a tambourine.

So when we walked in Tuesday morning and heard he'd been "let go," we didn't quite know what to make of it. We clutched at the bar and looked around to orient ourselves. Maybe we'd overshot and walked into 22 Doors by mistake. We watched and waited. But then his post about leaving Victrola came, and local blogs started lighting up.

Shiznit. It's puzzling to see someone so committed to coffee depart the Victrola over a "difference in vision." Our sources tell us Tony wasn't expecting the news, so he was likely as surprised as we were, if not more so. Given his renown within the coffee community, it's not likely he'll be between bean roasts for long. But what will become of the alternate Victrola blogsite? [UPDATE: it'll be redirected.] Who will skate through the cafe on those crazy sneaker-skates? Not Shawn, not Daniel, not Rachel. (Maybe Molly, though. We'll check on that.)

In the meantime, Tony's off to the Specialty Coffee Association of America's revival for the faithful in Charlotte, NC. And Victrola ownership is beavering away with work on V2, their new Roasteria just up the hill from the Convention Center. They're hoping to open this summer. It'll be strange to walk in and not see Tony at the roaster. Perhaps the words of Matthew 28:6 will console us: "He is not here: for he is risen."