Sag Harbor has been described in the past as a whaling town, a drinking town with a fishing problem, and a drinking town with a drinking problem. But, perhaps in 2023, it should be known as an arts town with a coffee problem. Times change. And now, with Grindstone Coffee and Donuts opening an outpost in the lobby of the Sag Harbor Cinema, the two can feed off each other.
Assuming you can find a parking spot in the village, buying a cup of jitter juice has never been easier. Sag Harbor is for coffee lovers.
"My favorite movie is probably 'Gangs of New York,' " said Kyle Sanderson, owner of Grindstone. "I thought that's what New York would be like when I moved here, and I was severely disappointed. Nothing goes better than sweets and a trip to the movies, so this partnership feels meant to be."
Grindstone opened at the cinema on May 26, and if you thought there were enough coffee spots in town already, with the original Grindstone down the block, SagTown Coffee a few steps away, Sylvester & Co. Modern General, Goldberg's, and Jack's Stir Brew Coffee across the street, you'd be wrong. The line stretched out of the cinema lobby and spilled onto the sidewalk over opening weekend. "I wasn't expecting that," admitted Mr. Sanderson.
Grindstone isn't even currently offering its milk-based drinks, like lattes, at the cinema: It's organic drip coffee and locally brewed cold brew only. In addition to the coffee, three flavors of its donuts, donut holes, store-themed merchandise, bags of coffee beans, grab-and-go snacks, and cold drink options, like cans of Liquid Death water, are also available. Grindstone has also partnered with a local baker, Dorothy Stone, for a new line of stuffed cookies, exclusive to its cinema outpost.
"We are excited to partner with Grindstone, whose donuts are a favorite of many cinema staffers, and welcome moviegoers with enticing treats just in time to check out the summer films," said Genevieve Villaflor, executive director of the Sag Harbor Cinema Arts Center. "Like the cinema, Grindstone is a Sag Harbor fixture, and we are thrilled to share our space with them."
While the cinema hours won't change, Grindstone will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Meanwhile, across the street, Jack's opened recently at 117 Main Street, after taking partial ownership of the 18th-century building known as the Latham House. Jack's leases the commercial space while the upstairs is currently offered as a monthly rental.
Rakesh Chandiramani, president of Jack's since 2020, wasn't concerned about opening in such a crowded coffee market. "We have some great neighbors, but you can never have too many coffee shops in the neighborhood. We each offer unique products," he said.
Jack's previously occupied the space off Division Street now filled by What the Falafel and was "well received in the community," said Mr. Chandiramani, but its lease ended, and the owners were looking for a permanent home when the Latham House hit the market in 2020.
"We did everything we could to find a permanent home," said Mr. Chandiramani. The Sag Harbor location is Jack's sixth; there are four in Manhattan and one in Amagansett. A seventh is planned, in Brooklyn, by September.
"You can't change habits. The way you maintain your customer base is by delivering good value, but also making sure the service delivered with the coffee is comforting, hospitable, and genuine. Call it the 'Cheers' effect, you have to connect with the customer," he said.
Along with its signature stir brew coffee, Jack's offers grab and go lunch options and pastries. It has a few tables under a large red and white awning for morning chill time. If you're out early and walking your dog, it even offers a "puppucino." "It's a thoughtful and healthy recipe, so they don't feel left out when the family gets a cup of coffee," said Mr. Chandiramani.
Jack's is open weekdays from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., and on weekends from 8 till 4.
