Gourmet Coffee Bars: A Caffeine-Fueled Comparison We look at some of the more notable coffee shops around the U.S.

Whether a big chain or a tiny kiosk, great gourmet coffee shops get java drinkers juiced. A shop's success isn't determined by one specific factor; rather, it's a combo of the right atmosphere, culture, philosophy and--of course--coffee.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

First opened: 1999 in Portland, Ore.
Type of shop: Coffee bars (and tasting annexes)
Locations: Nine, with 11 by the end of the year, in Portland, Seattle and New York; scouting for a Chicago spot
Customers: Creative types: musicians, artists, grungers
Biz philosophy: Founder Duane Sorenson's M.O. is to provide great coffee, educate consumers about it and treat employees well--no matter the cost
Price of a cappuccino: $3 for 5 1/2 oz.
Order this: A cup of Costa Rica Helsar Reserva coffee--a blend of molasses and cherry jam with notes of raspberry, strawberry and lavender
The coffee cherry on top: Employee benefits include health care, a 401(k) and an on-duty massage therapist