45 On Main

Coffee, chocolate and conviviality. Their association is long and rich and thriving in Kent.

Coffee and chocolate both found their way to Europe in the 17th century and took the Continent by storm. They became places where business was contracted and great ideas were fomented. Three centuries later, coffee and chocolate remain the cement of social intercourse and so it was with dismay that the Kent community learned last summer that Kent Coffee & Chocolate, a meeting place enjoyed by locals and visitors alike since 1991, was going to close.

A group of local businessmen leapt in to meet the crisis. David Schreiber, Brad Finkelstein, Javier Castelblanco and Gary Kidd, all associated with Camp Getaway in that town, acted quickly to purchase the business and to re-establish it as center for community activity.

“We never really thought twice about it,” said Kidd, who manages the store. “We managed to arrange a deal and all of a sudden we owned a coffee shop in Kent.” The business which opened in just five weeks, was rechristened 45 on Main and rapidly became the go-to spot in town.

All the owners have backgrounds in the hospitality industry, Kidd working for Marks and Spencer in the UK, Castelblanco in the restaurant industry, Schreiber in summer camps and casinos and Finklestein in summer camps.

“The hospitality industry is important to us. The goal of creating community was always the message we wanted to send,” said Kidd. “When people come through the door, I want them to have that feeling of a kid entering a candy shop.”

To that end, the store has been made a cornucopia of color, an experiential adventure underpinned by a selection of more than 50 different hot and cold beverages to refresh visitors, pastries, candies (both made inhouse and imported from abroad), a selection of international foods and more.

In this Mad Hatter environment, visitors can enjoy an Alice in Wonderland-like afternoon tea, complete with finger foods and tea served in China cups, can play games at the tables, find a workstation in a corner or simply sit and visit.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are,” Kidd said. “Here you can find quite a lot of joy—whether it is a father and son playing Battleship at one of the tables or a mother and daughter making friendship bracelets. We want it to be place where people come and enjoy themselves.”

As such, it is a core business in Kent’s initiative against the division that is wracking the country. The Chamber of Commerce, of which Schreiber is a former chairman, has launched a CommUNITY campaign designed to draw people out of their homes and into activities that bring people together. Ellen Corsell, vice president of the CofC, explains that she perceived that Kent was becoming fragmented, with an aura of distrust among its people. “The world has become so divided,” she said. “There is so much animosity and distrust. We can’t do anything at the global level but we can work in our own town. So we developed the idea CommUNITY, of creating events in the town that will bring people together.”

45 on Main dove into the effort. Holidays are celebrated with gusto with over-the-top decorations outdoors and in. The business became a major destination for trick-or-treaters at Halloween and Christmas was a festival of Yuletide symbolism.

“Look at this,” said Corsell, waving a hand at the colorful Christmas decorations the day before they were to give way to a Valentine’s Day theme. She indicated the vault in one side of the converted bank building, where Santa Claus took up residence on several occasions during the Christmas season. Outside the Grinch held court, his lurid green face luring visitors to the Christmas Wonderland inside.

But perhaps the most surprising—and charming—result of Kidd’s imagination were the disco-type lights he installed in the spacious bathroom. He whipped out his phone and called up a video of children dancing in the bathroom to piped-in music.

“I was not necessarily meaning to become a theme coffee shop but we did for Halloween and Christmas and people are very much looking for more. Maybe it’s not a common practice but we just put some joy into the moment.”

The next community event, a Scottish Burns Supper, will be held Saturday, January 27th, 7 to 10:30PM, at the Kent Community House at 93 North Main Street. A Burns Supper celebrates Scotland's renowned 18th-century poet, Robert Burns. Conceived by Kidd, a native of Glasgow, the event will include traditional Scottish food, dancing, a whiskey tasting and entertainment.

“This event is all about camaraderie,” Kidd said. “In Scotland, this celebration takes place on or around Burns’ birthday (Jan. 25). It is very much celebrated and coming together for this traditional holiday holds a big place in Scottish people’s hearts.”

The Scottish meat pudding, haggis, will be piped into the room by bagpipers and Robert Mellis, himself a Scot, will perform Burns’ Address to a Haggis before the haggis is ceremoniously cut open. The haggis will be accompanied by neeps (mashed turnips), tatties (mashed potatoes) and homemade shortbread. A Scottish whiskey tasting will be provided by Kent Wine & Spirit and attendees may bring their own beverages.

Burns’ poetry will be read, there will be performances of traditional Scottish music and Cailidh dancing will be taught. All ages and skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate.

The evening concludes with singing "Auld Lang Syne," one of Burns' most famous songs.

Tickets are required and can be purchased online HERE. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

Its headlong participation in the town CommUNITY effort already sets 45 on Main apart but there is something else that makes this business special—one not obvious to customers. Several former employees of Kent Coffee & Chocolate are still part of the operation. Chucha Cavalleiro, a mainstay at the earliest incarnation of the coffeeshop, is back, this time joined by her daughter, Nina Blue, and granddaughter, Skyy Blue.

“One thing that has very blessed us, Chucha is back making our chocolate using the same recipes people have always loved,” Kidd said. “And Jill Zinzi (another longtime employee now living in Florida) messages me every single day. She keeps us up to date on all the small details. Our biscotti is made from Jill’s recipe.”

So positive are the vibes in the store, that Cavalleiro shared a poignant and personal story. Her husband died suddenly on Christmas Eve 14 years ago. She has been unable to celebrate the holiday since but this year, buoyed by the “family” that surrounds her at the shop, she finally felt able to put up a Christmas tree.

45 on Main has 16 new staff members, seven enjoying their first jobs. “Everyone is nice and local,” Kidd said. “We have sisters working here, a mother, daughter and granddaughter, brothers and best friends. It’s not just staff, it’s families.”

And he is training them carefully.

“When someone comes in, you don’t know what kind of day they are having,” Kidd said. “A simple gesture can turn their day around. We treat people more like friends than customers and we know small acts of kindness go a long way.”

45 on Main is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 9AM to 6PM, and Friday and Saturday, 9AM to 7PM. It is closed Tuesday. “We decided that there are plenty of places to have breakfast in Kent,” said Kidd, “so we thought we would give people an opportunity to do something in the evening by staying open later.”