Competition for a coffee-shop table in Columbia is notoriously stiff. Even on the corner of Ninth and Cherry, where four coffee shops compete for business, finding a cozy spot to settle down is a challenge (especially if your Macbook needs to be near an outlet).

Kaldi’s, the newest member of the Ninth Street quadrangle, might remedy that. The St. Louis import is one of only six locations in the state; with plush curtains, a fireplace, and bright walls, it looks something like the Artisan, but all grown up.

Their menu is comparable to Cherry Street, with the usual espresso fixings, salads, and paninis. So it’s not that the newbie is any better than the CoMo mainstays – it’s just a good alternative for when finals season starts and you want a seat.