Jim Matel and his son Teddy Matel man the counter at the new Round Pond Coffee shop on Route 32 across from the Granite Hall Store in Round Pond. The shop opened Monday, June 27. (Haley Bascom photo)
Round Pond’s mornings just became a lot more energized thanks to the opening of Round Pond Coffee on Monday, June 27. Located on Route 32 across the street from the Granite Hall Store, Round Pond Coffee aims to be a new local hang-out spot.
Round Pond local Jim Matel and son Teddy, 16, are the main forces behind the coffee shop, with weekend assistance from wife Sarah and an older son, Seward.
“It’s something we’ve been talking about for years,” said Jim. “There really isn’t a place like this here.”
Jim spent the last 10 years managing the dining room at the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club and last year decided he was “ready for a change.” The Matels purchased the building 11 years ago, shortly after moving to Round Pond, where Sarah was raised. The Matels converted it to apartment units, but the idea for a coffee shop floated in their minds for years.
The coffee is all freshly ground with beans roasted in Portland by Coffee By Design. (Haley Bascom photo)
The Matels have always been avid coffee enthusiasts and knew if they were to open their own shop, they wanted to keep the selection small to maximize the quality. Last winter, Jim and Teddy met with Coffee By Design in Portland to handcraft their own selection. After much consultation and taste sessions, the dark-roasted Round Pond Blend was crafted.
For those looking for a peak (light) roast, there is the popular Burundi Kayanza Bourbon, which was recommended by Coffee By Design.
Also featured in the coffee shop are espresso options, smoothies, paninis, and baked goods from Crissy’s in Damariscotta. Teddy created all the recipes for the smoothies and paninis and said he looks forward to crafting more.
The coffee shop is filled with furniture and decorations collected over the last year, including a table with chairs from the old Anchor Inn Restaurant. Jim said he hopes to feature local art and potentially live music some nights.
“Customers will lead us where they want to go,” said Jim. “We wanted something that wasn’t too big, but a place locals can come by and hang out and relax and drink really good coffee.”
Despite only opening on Monday, Jim said he is pleased with the amount of business they’ve had so far. “We even had people returning today,” he said Tuesday, June 28.
Round Pond Coffee is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
