Barista Brothers has new owners

Chris Spohn stopped at a drive-through coffee shop in Yreka, Calif., and met the love of his life.

"I came through on a Sunday and she made me the best vanilla latté I had ever had," said Chris, 31. "So I knew I just had to marry her."

That barista became Sarah Spohn, 23. They were married in November 2002. This year the couple will celebrate their anniversary by serving coffee together.

The Spohns are so smitten over espresso they decided to get their own drive-through coffee shop.

After much searching, they found Barista Brothers Express at 1825 N. Carson St. This little coffee stop is painted cream and spring green on the outside. The sun shined inside the windows and reflected through the bottles of old-fashioned sodas on display. Chris has a soft-spot for vintage sodas. The lime green, clear, orange and dark brown liquids are like a kaleidoscope.

Sarah said she liked Carson City's hometown feel. It's unlike the brand-conscious California consumerism.

"People in Carson City are more concerned about who you are," Chris said.

"It doesn't feel like people are looking at your hand bag," Sarah said. "Or your shoes."

They took over the business on July 15 and invested about $40,000 into it. The business supports them both. Chris looked out the window and across the parking lot at an empty space in the store front. His business goal is only a small jaunt away. Chris hopes to open a used book store and café in that 2,400-square-foot shop.

"One thing I think Carson City needs is a little place open after 6 p.m.," he said. "A place that people can call their own."

One of Chris' favorite drinks is the peppermint milkshake. Sarah's is the red eye, which is coffee with a shot of espresso.

"It's a serious wake-you-up-in-the-morning drink," she said.

And Sarah needs that for her 5:45 a.m. shifts.