Custom House Coffee Closes [POLL]
Owners of the Main Street coffee shop decide to focus their efforts on a new Fall River store.
It worked in Portsmouth, it worked in Middletown, but Custom House Coffee never took off in East Greenwich so the owners have closed it down.
"We love the town. It's a great community. It just never caught on," said George Doumaney, co-owner with Mark Libby. "Our other locations are so busy, just constantly busy. It pains Mark and I but we had to make a business decision to close it down because it never took off."
Custom House Coffee opened in September 2010. Last summer, they obtained a liquor license. But now they're focusing their efforts on their two existing East Bay stores and a new one planned for Commonwealth Landing in Fall River, a mill building that's being converted.
"The product is alive and well," said Doumaney, referring to their locally roasted coffee beans. "This summer it will be available over at the Farmers Market with The Coffee Guy. Our beans are still available at the Whole Foods and, of course, on our website."
He said this doesn't mean they wouldn't try again in East Greenwich someday.
"If there's something available in the future like up on Route 2 where there's an abundance of parking and there's easier access," Doumaney said, "I think we'd consider that."
In This article
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Custom House Coffee
250 Main St, East Greenwich, RI -
East Greenwich Farmer's Market
Academy Field, East Greenwich, RI
Mark Thompson
11:31 am on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Leaving East Greenwich in favor of Fall River....things sure have changed!
Reyshelle Addessi
11:33 am on Thursday, March 8, 2012
A few people I know were very unhappy with the service there (being short with them, lots of attitude) so they opted for Simon Says. The way your workers treat your customers has a HUGE impact
Reyshelle Addessi
11:37 am on Thursday, March 8, 2012
I think a gift store that only has homemade items would take off.
Anna
11:54 am on Thursday, March 8, 2012
I wish Julias would come back, homemade fresh bread and soup. It was by far the best place that has ever been in that location and my family and I still miss it!!!
EG Lurker
12:15 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
I hope and pray that we get either a bridal store, nail salon, or hair salon in this space! 3 things Main St is sorely lacking...
Stephanie
1:05 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Seven stars bakery should move in!!!
EG Lurker
6:30 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
now you're talking!
GameMaker
5:33 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
While I was really hoping for a bridal nail salon with authentic antipasto offerings, but I guess a genuine French patisserie would work as well...
EG Lurker
6:29 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Can that Italian bridal nail salon also offer boutique knick knack products?
Angel
6:24 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
The town has SO many of the same old same old along main street...I like the idea of a nice little bakery coming back in...I know alot of the little diners have closed, but how many breakfast places or coffee houses do we really need?
Spring Street
6:39 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Loved their Zombies ! The owner and his wife dedicate themselves to their business. She makes all the food ,delicious ! He a Bostonian she an RI girl . She stole his heart and he moved here ! A Love Story !
Lil" shops struggle ,economy difficault ! Sad to put one's money,eneryg,hopes and dreams into any venture and have it go south.
Now 13% tax on restaurant meals. Makes one wonder what the powers to be are wondering ?
Conway Tours here for decades was going to slide over to Mass. due to a tax hike . Then RI would lose there 1.2 million in taxes.
Frederick Remington
11:56 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Service at Custom House Coffee was good, and sad to see them go. But just another reflection of the 'vibrancy' of Main Street we keep hearing about. When are we stop deluding ourselves?
EGfav228
9:42 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
I vote for a vegan restaurant or bakery!!!!
Class of 98
9:50 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
A Calvitto's Bakery.
Alan Weiss, PhD
2:55 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
The last thing Main Street needs is more coffee shops or nail salons. The city has been inept at attracting the kind of diversity a town of this affluence could support. Would a great steak restaurant, or French restaurant be out of the question? How about a high quality men's store? The old Post Office Restaurant remains vacant? Main Street is an embarrassment.
Erica Maddalena
5:15 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
Wild Harvest Bakery/ Cafe in the Bennys's Plaza is a fantastic small bakery. We make all of our own freshly baked artisan breads as well as Danish, muffins, cinnamon rolls. In addition to our baked goods we offer a full line of all natural and organic prepared foods. Many vegetarian and vegan options as well. come and check us out!
EGfav228
5:26 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
I didn't know that...I will have to try it! Thanks!
Spring Street
2:02 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Hm I've got it ! A Fortune Teller , Palm Reader ! Perfect size and location ! Plus that's one business we don't have in town ! She might just have the inside scoop !
Carl I. Hoyer
11:55 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
(1) i'm in favor of a bakery.
(2) What IS the status of the P.O. Cafe'? Should have re-opened in April?
(3) Why do "coffee" shops need a liquor license? Are we perhaps sending the wrong message, especially to our kids?
'nuff said !
Elizabeth McNamara
1:01 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Hi Carl.
1. I'm in favor of a bakery too! But, the Oyster Bar sounds interesting and new, so I'm happy about that.
2. Very good question about the Post Office Cafe. I've made inquiries but haven't gotten anywhere ... it's time for me to try a little harder!
3. I think Custom House went for one hoping to bring in more customers. I guess you've got to sell A LOT of coffee if you want to stay a coffee shop alone.
Carl I. Hoyer
10:20 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Gee, wonder how Dunkin' Donuts manages to do it without a liquor license ? Maybe that's next?
Mutato
10:58 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
Maybe a hole in the wall type Thai restaurant?
Very basic and simple. Good food.