23 May 9th-May 15th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | The duo lives close enough to ride their bicycles to the coffee shop and taking over the cafe provided the option to run a busi- ness during retirement. “I wanted to do something and running the coffeehouse also offers a purpose because of the community we serve,” Higginbotham says. “There are so many regulars daily and we start to worry about them if we don’t see them,” Rushlo adds. He sees a constant influx of people who live in the condos nearby gathering at Bang Bang Coffee. “There is a connection that this is my place or this person knows me — some- thing similar to the vibe on the sitcom ‘Cheers,’” Rushlo says. He attributes this connection to his son. “Joel is the head barista and manages the place for us. We do a lot of the behind- the-scenes (work) with inventory and financial pieces, but he is the face and some would say probably the heart and the soul of the business because he talks to all the regulars,” Rushlo says. Since the Bang Bang Coffee is a walk-up window and there are chairs and tables outside, it is easy for people to gather and have a conversation or get a cup of coffee and read a book. The vibe is friendly, casual and welcoming for those flying solo or couples and families who want to chill. Their summer hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to noon and they are open on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Patrons also get excited about the food menu as Bang Bang Coffee offers made- from-scratch waffles. “It is super popular because I think not very many places offer coffee and a waffle, but people love them. We sell a lot of them,” Rushlo says. The waffles come with real maple syrup, Nutella or a homemade raspberry lemon compote. They have also started carrying Bagelfields Bagels and hope to keep experimenting with different food items. Bang Bang uses coffee from Xanadu Coffee Co., a local roaster. Drink selections include macchiatos, cappuccinos and lattes. “We do teas, home-done cold brews and drip is also available,” Rushlo says. “People love our cold brew. It is super affordable and our drip tends to be more on the dark roast side.” There is also a lesser-known secret about the drinks tied to the family’s obses- sion with the show, “Twin Peaks.” Their other son, Jacob, was in charge of the design and logo for Bang Bang, and kept this theme in mind. “The special drinks are named after characters in ‘Twin Peaks’... we call our drip ‘damn fine coffee’ because Agent Cooper in ‘Twin Peaks’ is always saying, ‘This is a damn fine cup of coffee,’” Rushlo says. The couple is grateful for the opportu- nity and happy to include their sons in their new family business. “But getting to know the community has been the most rewarding part of it, and it kind of blew me away,” Rushlo says. “It is amazing.” Bang Bang Coffee 10 W. Vernon Ave. New coffee shop Bang Bang Coffee is all about family: Owners Ben Rushio and Julie Higginbotham with their sons, Joel and Jacob. (Photo by Jacob Heimlich) Birdhaus to BangBang from p 21 Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) A STYLISH UPGRADE: 2024 MUSTANG GT COUPE PREMIUM 2024 MUSTANG GT COUPE PREMIUM T he 2024 Ford Mustage he 2024 Ford Mustage GT Coupe Premium GT Coupe Premium is a continuation of is a continuation of Ford’s journey to bring back Ford’s journey to bring back the greatest of the Mustang. the greatest of the Mustang. 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