Jackpot

In our house, I’m the chef and baker while my husband is the barista. The other day, he got out our French press to make coffee, set it on the counter and the glass bottom fell out of it.

Neither of us could complain about its demise. We could not say, “Another piece of Chinese junk hits the dust.” Our Bodum coffee maker had performed faithfully for over thirty years. It just got tired.

The French Press is an essential piece of equipment in our kitchen; a replacement was needed. We both agreed that the new one could have no plastic parts. Coffee oils and plastic are not conducive to a good brew.

The search began but ended quickly. All the French press options (sans plastic) in the cookware store we visited had eye-popping prices. One model was even $400. But serendipity was our coffee salvation.

We were in Madison, and I wanted to check out a St. Vinnies. No thoughts of coffee makers were on my mind. My husband, who usually naps in the car while I’m seeking thrift store treasures, decided to come in. His goal was inexpensive work pants.

We entered, parted ways and I was deep in the clothes racks when my guy suddenly appeared with a smile on his face and a Bodum French press in his hands. We both checked it out and found all the glass and chrome parts to be in mint condition. The price was right as well…$3.60.

Luck or the Goddess of Coffee was with us. We were back in the coffee business. And my husband got to experience the thrill of a great thrift store score. Perhaps he will be taking fewer car naps in the future.

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