In Morris County, new coffee shops are celebrated. We hope to shine a spotlight on these four new and growing cafes and help you discover your new favorite spot!
Owner Bobby of Forum Coffee in East Hanover
Why open a coffee shop?
Quality is embedded in the fabric of everything that we do. Forum Coffee was born out of the need and desire for a reliable, high-quality coffee experience. We believe there is an opportunity to upend the big box retailers at a local level and that quality has been pushed aside. We’re bringing the coffee renaissance to NJ.
What sets you apart from other coffee shops?
We’re redefining the New Jersey coffee experience by focusing on “serving high-quality products in a high-end clean environment quickly.”
Owner Erick of The Barn Cafe in Denville
Why open a coffee shop?
My wife and I liked the idea of creating an open-minded space for people and families to come and not feel rushed. You can spend what you like, you enjoy coffee if that’s all you want, or you can have a great meal.
What sets you apart?
I concentrate on not satisfying the customer, but to delight them. What can make this better? And I don’t stop thinking. I also wanted to create a space for the community to sit down and enjoy. Lots of seating, and space to come in and not feel rushed.
Why did you choose the name The Barn?
I’ve been a cook at many restaurants in the past, everything from Italian to French. The one I had the most fun and liked the most was cooking at farm-to-table restaurants. It just got to me and I love it. It’s that connection of going to the farm to buy the products or knowing how it’s grown. So we call it The Barn, which is a little place outside of the farm.
Owner Joanna of Rey Sol Coffee in Morristown
Why open a coffee shop?
We wanted to expand the legacy my grandpa had built. The coffee farm was passed down to my dad 5 years ago and that was a perfect moment to grow here in the USA.
What’s your main goal?
Our main goal is to offer the best Colombian coffee and to continue the passion, dedication, and tradition of the artistry of growing and roasting 100% single-origin coffee. We’re a farm-to-cup business. We’re a five-generation coffee family that is very involved in every process of the way. It’s an honor for us to be able to say that we’re responsible from seed to cup!
Why did you choose the name Rey Sol?
Mr. Lisimaco Ramirez, my grandpa, named the coffee farm Rey Sol because he says that every morning the sun would peak over the mountain onto his corridor. Rey Sol translates to King Sun.
Owner Francesca of Ethan and the Bean in Morristown
Why open a coffee shop?
My son Ethan is my reason for navigating this journey to open a coffee shop and create more employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. When Ethan was nearing his 21st birthday, the employment landscape for an individual with his disabilities and complex medical needs was bleak. We decided to create the opportunity we were seeking for him to participate with dignity in the workplace and the community.
What’s your main goal?
We look and feel like a coffee shop but we run like a human services organization and have the empowerment of the people we serve at the core of all we do. Coffee and hospitality are the vehicles. But our goal is to create a community where people of all abilities are seen, celebrated, and engaged.
