When an exhausted, bleary-eyed student rolls out of bed in the morning or afternoon, there is usually only one way to jump-start her day-stopping in at The Bean for a much-needed caffeinated pick-me-up. However, without the baristas who cater to their every java whim, there could be no morning mocha or afternoon americano.
One dedicated barista, Debra Fowler, will not be caught drinking the coffee she so diligently makes.
“I like the aroma,” she said, “But as far as drinking it, I can’t get past the taste.”
Fowler first became employed at Saint Louis University 14 years ago, spending her first two years as a line server. She began working in coffee shops two years later at the SLU coffee shop of that time, the Gourmet Bean.
Since then, the coffee shop’s location has changed twice, but Fowler’s job description has not; for 12 years since she first began working with coffee, she has continued perfecting her art as a barista.
“I love the atmosphere,” she said.
Different types of drinks have come and gone during Fowler’s employment, but her favorite is the Jack, which earned its name from its student inventor of the same name.
“Every time I make it, I think of him,” Fowler’s said.
Along with Jack, Fowler has seen a colorful collection of students filter through The Bean over the years. She remembered one student in particular who, without fail, came in four times every day and ordered a double shot of espresso each time. She said she has also had a lot of “weird requests,” since coffee lingo changes so often, and students sometimes attempt to order their favorites from their coffee shops at home.
When she is not creating whipped cream-topped, caffeinated masterpieces, Fowler enjoys spending time with her family.
“My free time is family . running the family, giving advice, running errands,” she said. “It’s all about family.”
Fowler said she has been mistaken to be in her twenties before, but people might be surprised to learn how old she actually is.
“I’m 43,” she said. “But I’m proud of it.”
As a matter of fact, Fowler is married with four kids. She is also a grandmother, with four grandchildren and a fifth on the way.
Though she is a barista by day, Fowler loves accounting and is going back to school to earn an accounting degree. She hopes to use it to work from home, but she also “wants to continue working in a coffee shop,” she said.
Fowler describes herself as someone who loves to learn the names of her customers, even though it’s not always possible.
“People may think I’m standoffish, but really, I’m the nicest person they could ever meet!” she said.
