Coffee shop patio in a city.

Coffee wakes you up and your butt…

Colectivo, formerly known as Alterra Coffee, is a well-known coffee chain founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have multiple locations throughout the city, as well as in other parts of Wisconsin and Illinois.

The Lincoln Park location, on the north side of Chicago, is a solid spot boasting a large patio which is fantastic for the remote-work crowd on a soon-to-be summer day. 

Nestled on the corner of a major street in the city, it’s a great spot for “quiet quitting.” Many Gen Z’s and Millennials know they do not need to kill themselves in a corporate culture.

So, hitting their required metrics or deadlines with a coffee and a snack is far better than punishing themselves into the wee-hours for $15-stock “Exceptional Achiever” plaque from management.

Colectivo is known for its coffee, comfortable atmosphere, and commitment to sustainability. They roast their own beans and offer a variety of specialty coffee drinks. In addition to coffee, they also serve a selection of bakery items and sandwiches.

The coffee shop’s ambiance features a combination of rustic and modern elements, with cozy seating areas, communal tables, and unique artwork. The bathroom is no doubt on par with the overall vibe of the café.

The baristas at Colectivo are certainly a reflection of the area. The staff appears relatively young. Falling in the undergraduate or graduate school category, they are friendly and polite. Yet, they definitely communicate an aura of “I’m underpaid, tired, and potentially hungover.” 

While sipping a large mocha, affixed with a name label that is nowhere near my actual name, I thought about how the barista profession is completely overlooked and under-appreciated. Even if they only got two letters of my name correct (in the wrong order).

Coffee cup with the word "Liam" on it
Liam tends to be a hot guy name… not mad about it.

Behind the steaming cup of coffee, there’s a barista tirelessly trying to figure out a 7-part coffee drink, ordered by a person in Prada sunglasses with a dog in a purse. Baristas, like many in the service industry are stuck with low wages and limited-to-zero-benefits. 

The staff at Poopable salute baristas everywhere!

They play a pivotal role in pooper’s lives because fueling up on caffeinated creations will undoubtedly get the stomach churning, for a restroom respite.

Due to the daily grind (lazy pun indented) that Baristas endure, it is a worthy presumption to assume that they would care less about the state of the bathroom at the coffee shop. 

However, at Collective, the restroom is clean and welcoming to those looking to unload a caffeine-initiated dump.

There are two single-serve bathrooms at this Colectivo location. Despite the morning rush crowd there wasn’t a line. The bathroom is stocked with all the essentials and it’s quite spacious. 

The lock on the door is legit as well. Contrary to untrustworthy locks in bars and restaurants, this lock will no doubt deter the aggressive knocker’s that Jeff has discussed in some of his more colorful tales in Jammin’ with Jeff. 

The most notable attribute of this restroom is the Koala Kare baby changing station. A changing station is a major convenience for any public bathroom. 

Many new parents will decide whether or not they are going to shop, eat, or drink at location based on if a location is outfitted with one of these changing stations. 

For those without kids, the changing station also double as a great purse holder or coat rack. 

Is Colectivo Poopable?

The staff at Poopable collectively (wink) agree, Colectivo is certainly poopable! Colectivo’s restroom receives the poopable nod of approval because it’s spacious, the toilet paper is well stocked, and it has accommodations for young children. 

The real salute goes to the staff. Working as a barista is likely a genuinely stressful job. The free coffee perk is probably not worth the trouble. However, Poopable recognizes and appreciates the fact that the staff know, the drinks that they are slanging will ignite any pooper’s bowels. 

So, if you’re near a Colectivo, drop by for a brew and maybe have yourself a poo. Just be sure to leave the barista a little tip at the register. They are the ones that stock the toilet paper! 

How do you feel about coffee? Does it an initiate a caffeine powered poop? Poopable wants to hear from you! Comment on this post below or send us a note!

By Neil

Neil launched Poopable in 2023, making him the Poo Poo Presidente. After overcoming childhood public restroom anxiety, one of his proudest accomplishments is relieving himself on six continents and over two-dozen countries. His preferred bathroom includes a neutral scent, double ply toilet paper and a strong industrial flush. His trade secret to making any restroom poopable – baby wipes.