The Coffee Mill Emporium

The Coffee Mill Emporium is a long-running coffee shop on Palmer Street in downtown Lowell, run by Pina and Veronica. There are a few tables looking out at the street and a sofa inside, and regulars become regulars fast. It's open weekday daytimes only, closing mid-afternoon and closed on weekends. Earlier reports say cash only, so bring some just in case.

French vanilla coffee is the most popular order. For breakfast, there's a sausage and egg sandwich on a plain bagel, egg and cheese on a wrap, a grilled buttered muffin and a jalapeño bagel. In warm weather there's frozen lemonade, strawberry iced tea and iced coffee. There's a big shelf of flavored coffees, and prices are low.

Dogs aren't allowed inside.