Ray's wrong; you can still wake up & smell the coffee downtown

To the editor,

The wind must have been blowing the wrong way when Ray Carbone wrote his column about our “Downtown cafés”. Alive and well, and flourishing, is the smell of fresh-brewed, locally roasted “Black Bear” specialty coffees, organic teas, pastries, home made donuts, French croissants, eggs and bacon and sandwiches of all kinds! Hot drinks, iced drinks and frozen drinks of all kinds! Coffee House Chili, soups and chowder are always on.

“My Coffee House”, is the only dedicated specialty coffee house in “Downtown Laconia”. Soon, we will be starting our fourth year at the intersection of Academy Street and 92 Court Street. We proudly server both the Belknap County Court House and the Laconia District Court House and all the surrounding law firms, banks, insurance companies, realtors, and many other local businesses.

When I was setting up the Coffee House, I wanted to recreate the coffee shops of the past, like Jimmy’s Bakery and Laflame’s and “Keller’s”. A place where you could come and have a great cup of coffee and enjoy the friendship of family and friends. A place where the owner might come over and sit down with you and have a cup of coffee. We seat 24 guests inside and our cobblestone patio seats six, overlooking the court houses. This was the old Laconia I grew up in.

“My Coffee House” has been constantly changing and growing. We listen to what you the customer want in “Your Coffee House”. Starting on Monday April 23rd, we will have free WiFi for our customers and business partners. Soon we will have national news programs and sports playing all day. We might even have a game on! We have added Ol’ Factory Soy Candles for sale and plan to have other locally made gifts.

We want “My Coffee House” to be the meeting place for you and your friends. As of now there are several groups that meet regularly, some include The Mommas and Me, Bible study groups, the Zumba Gales, and The Over 70, or is it Over 80 Swim Team. We have hosted birthday parties and baby showers, yes and even The Red Hat Ladies. We have supplied coffee and pastries for several LRCC meetings and have a close relationship with the Culinary Department at LRCC. We also participate in the 10-percent discount program for LRCC students, started by Larry Frates.

“My Coffee House”, along with “Mills Industries” have led the charge”, according to Ann Saltmarsh, who heads up the Laconia Public Works recycling program in Laconia. We have supported The WOW TRAIL team, and several non profit organizations. We are a member of BIBA and discount BIBA card holders.

I want to also point out another “Café”, our good friends at “The Water Street Café”. They too serve a great breakfast and lunch and are well known in ”Downtown Laconia”.

Yes, Ray, The Cafés are alive and well in “Downtown Laconia”.

John Morin

My Coffee House

Laconia