In an S-bux-steeped world, Fresh Start keeps it going with quality service and product. For the past year and a half, this has been the bf and I's go-to for coffee on mornings when we can't seem to get it together to make it ourselves.
Really friendly staff (I believe the owner often works the morning shifts) make great americanos and serve some of the best baked goods I've had from a coffee house. The loaves are seriously legit--lemon poppyseed and banana are very fresh and lack the weird, hyper-processed texture of big chains' reasonable facsimiles.
The atmosphere is great: less Dark-Horse-hip, more Cafe-Nervosa-from-Frasier. There are lots of big, boofy, comfortable chairs and hanging off the walls are awards for community involvement and support from other businesses and associations. It's clear that the owner cares about being a part of the community he's jacking up on caffeine.
The only setback is their hours--if they are open on weekends, it may just be in the mornings, and they close pretty early. If you're in the area on a weekday, though, I definitely recommend it.