Bill Marks
Oct 7, 2026
Coast & Home | First Coast Hey there! Your next favorite local spot might be just around the corner—and this week gives you a few good reasons to find it. We’re starting with coffee, making room for a weekend celebration of Greek food and culture, and stopping by a market where shopping local comes with a chance to meet the people behind the goods. Grab your calendar. Let’s see what’s close to home. 🏰 Ancient City Trivia What unusual building stone helped Castillo de San Marcos withstand cannon fire? Keep your guess handy—the answer is waiting near the end. ☕ Three coffee stops worth a place in your morning Sometimes a change of scenery starts with a cup of coffee. If you’re ready to step outside your usual routine, here are three Saint Augustine spots to try. The Kookaburra, 18 Cathedral Place: Its downtown location puts your coffee stop right in the heart of the historic district. Make it the starting point for a morning walk, or a meeting place before exploring with a friend. Plan your visit. DOS Coffee & Wine, 300 San Marco Avenue: Housed in a former auto-parts and repair shop, DOS pairs handcrafted coffee with house-made baked goods. Its menu includes pour-over coffee and nitro cold brew, giving you a couple of ways to branch out from your regular order. Explore DOS. Relámpago Coffee Lab, 74 Spanish Street: For anyone curious about the beans behind the brew, Relámpago offers locally roasted coffee ranging from approachable blends to small, single-variety lots. Ask what’s available and bring a little curiosity to your next cup. Meet Relámpago. Which coffee spot would you add? Hit reply and tell us where you go—and what you order. 🇬🇷 A weekend taste of Greece, right here in Saint Augustine Bring an appetite: the St. Augustine Greek Festival returns October 10–11 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 2940 County Road 214. Expect Greek food, pastries, music, dancing, and shopping. The festival’s Kafenio will also serve Greek frappes, so your coffee exploration can continue into the weekend. Saturday: 11 AM–8 PM Organizers list free parking at R. J. Murray Middle School, 150 North Holmes Boulevard, with a shuttle provided by Old Town Trolley Tours. Limited premium parking at the church is listed at $20. Invite someone who’s always up for trying something delicious—and leave room for pastries to take home. 🛍️ Give Saturday morning a local twist Before the weekend gets busy, make time for the St. Augustine Amphitheater Farmers Market. The market’s regular Saturday hours are 8:30 AM–12:30 PM, putting October 10 on your calendar for a morning of browsing. Local produce, handmade arts and crafts, and live entertainment give you plenty to explore. It’s also a chance to ask a vendor about what they grow or make—and discover something you wouldn’t find on your usual shopping run. Make a short list and leave room for an unexpected find. Check the market’s latest information. 🏰 Trivia Answer: Coquina! The Castillo’s coquina stone is made from shell fragments. Its porous structure helped the thick walls absorb cannonball impacts instead of shattering—an unusual building material with a remarkable defensive advantage. Explore the story with the National Park Service. That’s your invitation for the week: try a different cup, share a meal, and meet someone making good things happen close to home. Know a neighborhood gem, interesting local person, or small business we should feature? Hit reply and tell me about them. Talk soon, P.S. Your next favorite might already be someone else’s best-kept secret. Share this edition with a friend and compare notes. |