Time for another excursion to the east side of town! The Coffee Cottage has been on the hit list since the beginning so I don't know why it's taken me so long to get there. I was spurred on by the fact that I've seen it advertised in the Journal businesses for sale section, and indeed there is a for sale sign over it this very day. So, if you were thinking of buying what would you be getting? Firstly, an exterior that could do with repairs and paint. The front door could be a house front door, reclaimed and put in place as a temporary measure so time ago. Inside, well the grey carpet tiles might have to go along with the faux half-timbered panelling...but wait! there's more to it. Sit down in the Coffee Cottage for a while and you'll see what I mean.
So, in I went. The tables were covered in red gingham tablecloths and glass tops! It's a compact space and the furniture is mainly dark wood. The wall are decorated with plates and (now) with Christmas ornaments. At the counter are homemade quiche and chocolate fudge cake (oooh go on then!). There is an extensive menu of snacks and meals and a specials board. I order cream with the cake and a pot of tea. It arrives at the table in delightfully mismatched china and the cake is swimming in cream. I summon untapped reserves of self-control to avoid licking the plate.
And the best thing? This is not just a cafe, it's a community. I was treated in a friendly way, and all the other customers were obviously regulars and the staff genuinely seemed to know and care about them and have their interests at heart. It's great to have that kind of atmosphere, you can't buy or manufacture it. Let's hope that whoever the new owners of the Coffee Cottage turn out to be, they can change what needs to be change and keep what needs to be kept.
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