Two Connecticut coffee shops, Story and Soil Coffee in Hartford and Silk City Coffee in Manchester, have made it to the list of The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops. This prestigious recognition not only elevates these local gems but also positions Connecticut as a growing hub for specialty coffee culture.
The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is an esteemed annual ranking that considers innovation, ambiance, sustainability practices, and quality of coffee, with public votes and expert evaluations accounting for 70% and 30%, respectively. This year, Silk City Coffee ranked at No. 67, while Story and Soil Coffee secured the No. 88 spot, making them two of only 14 US coffee shops to make it to this elite list.
Tammy Gerhard, co-owner of Silk City Coffee, sees this recognition as an opportunity to amplify not just their business but also the growing community in downtown Manchester. “We’ve been supporting each other and advancing the coffee movement in our county,” Gerhard said. Michael Acosta, co-owner of Story and Soil Coffee, shared a similar sentiment: “It feels like a point on our natural trajectory,” he said, citing their mission to bring world-class sustainable specialty coffee experiences to Hartford since its establishment.
Acosta’s journey began when he was just 25 years old, with a desire to grow coffee culture within Connecticut. Starting his business on Wesleyan University’s campus ultimately led to the creation of Story and Soil Coffee. Acosta’s vision extends beyond mere business success; he aims to address the “almost existential crisis” facing specialty coffee due to rising commodity bean prices and climate change, which discourages growers from investing more resources in less profitable crops.
Early national recognition from Food & Wine validated this vision, signaling to the business and its customers that Story and Soil Coffee offers world-class offerings.
Acosta believes that part of his mission is to help customers connect with specialty coffee, ensuring they recognize its value and are willing to pay for it. Early national recognition from Food & Wine validated this vision, signaling to the business and its customers that Story and Soil Coffee offers world-class offerings.
Gerhard shares Acosta’s enthusiasm for promoting local culture. Founded in 2016, Silk City Coffee has become a significant player on Main Street, offering more than just coffee shop fare by hosting community events and outreach programs throughout the year. Gerhard hopes that this recognition will bring more attention to downtown Manchester, as well as inspire other small businesses with similar visions.
1. Two Connecticut coffee shops, Story and Soil Coffee in Hartford and Silk City Coffee in Manchester, have been recognized among The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops. 2. This recognition not only validates their world-class offerings but also positions Connecticut as a growing hub for specialty coffee culture. 3. Both owners aim to leverage this recognition to promote local culture and address the challenges facing specialty coffee, including rising commodity prices and climate change.
CLOSE: What does the future hold for Connecticut’s thriving coffee scene? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how these accolades will impact local culture and inspire future endeavors.
Questions & Answers
Which Connecticut coffee shops made the list of world’s best?
Two Connecticut coffee shops, Caffeine Dreams and Clarance’s Coffee & Tea, were ranked among the world’s best.
How does this recognition impact local culture in Connecticut?
This recognition boosts local culture by promoting Connecticut as a destination for exceptional coffee experiences.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
