New year, new goals; new insights on life. The colder months bring about soft resets for a lot of people, but they can bring about harsh stops for others. From slow times to digest what the year brought on, to obstacles that the year has to pile on before it’s done, Winter has a way of turning things around on everyone. Yet it’s also a time for several merry holidays, meant to bring everyone that much closer together, in order to share what ounce of warmth they can. And there was no better place for me to visit than an old community classic coffeeshop – Sippers.
Nowadays run by a lovely lady named Marcy and her family, Sippers has been around since the early 2000s. Marcy herself is the third owner of the store – Starting there in the spring of 2005, she was there when it changed hands a couple of times, before being asked in spring 2009 if she’d like to buy it and keep the place afloat. On a whim, she accepted and has since been a center of the town center community for over 16 years. Marcy states that, even with the encroaching businesses opening in the area over the last three years, Sippers and her family are “committed to staying around for the community we love.”
The staff are certainly the sweetest things about the place and make you all warm inside. Marcy and her husband run the coffeeshop together, along with her other relatives helping out with everything. From drinks to food to serving out of a custom drive-through door – Whatever they can do for their community. It also feels like you’re visiting home rather than a coffee shop – knick-knacks placed with care, various types of tables and chairs to give an eclectic feel to the place, and including a private dining table that feels more like a private train car than anything. A sign that changes images with the season lists out all the seasonal beverages, and small decorations that change with them give everything such a nice, homey touch. Neighbors old and new visited the shop on both trips I was there, and had lovely conversations with one another, Marcy remembering every one of their names and reminiscing with them. It’s just the little things that show just how much Sippers is the heart and soul of such a loving community.
The food and drinks were made with equal amounts of love and care as well. On my first trip, I got a breakfast sandwich, croissant and Sally’s S’mores coffee; on my second, a blueberry lemon muffin and the Elf’s Maple Syrup. The breakfast sandwich croissant was incredibly soft, with an almost sous vide-like egg in the middle that layered so well with the buttery, flaky croissant buns. I chose to add turkey bacon to it, and it gave the sandwich a very subtle, savory taste that just tied it all together. Sally’s S’mores was a toasted marshmallow and mocha coffee – All of their coffee is made with the local Pura Bean brand.
It was so similar tasting to a hot chocolate, though, it almost felt like I was enjoying it while curled up in front of the fireplace. The coffee still shone through, though, and was very sweet and smooth, creating a very velvety drink. And the little marshmallows that you can add on top just added to the overall joy I had for the whole drink. The blueberry lemon muffin I had on my second trip was very thick and almost creamy in feel while I was eating it. The tang of the lemon was very subtle, and mixed with the sweetness of the batter and the blueberry so well. The Elf’s Maple Syrup coffee was made with maple, chocolate, and peppermint. The peppermint hits you first in smell, instantly waking you up. But drinking it, it surprisingly isn’t overpowered by the maple or chocolate, creating a very nice, warm mixture to start your day with.
Everything about Sippers feels like I’m being taken care of and looked after by someone you can consider family. During November, I had gotten an opportunity to take part in their Thanksgiving coupon campaign, in which Marcy had several hidden turkey tokens around the store that guests could find and turn in for a coupon. Along with that, though, you could also pass your coupon on to another person, and also write a thankful or encouraging note for them to keep in the store. I passed on my coupon to the next incoming guest, and frankly, wrote a very long note for Marcy and everyone. On my second visit in December, I was so happy to see that she still had my note on their fridge, and how she said she was still encouraged by it.
Feeling appreciated and cared for like that, even in the smallest actions or the littlest ways, just helps you beat the cold outside and helps you feel that much warmer on the inside. I hope that my actions and my articles continue to also help make others feel warmer this coming new year.
- About the Author
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A local girl with a love of writing and food, who has transitioned into writing articles about all the local food spots, in order to encourage everyone to explore and take in the tastes of their community! With a bachelor’s degree in Communications & Media from FSCJ and a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies – Film & Screenwriting, I hope to get the community more engaged with their surroundings and take in all they have to offer! I’m glad if any of my articles encourage anyone to try new things or get out into the world!
Roughly bi-weekly uploads, but also taking everything one day at a time and going at my own pace~ Also will cover more than just food; looking forward to all of the local events I can attend on our First Coast as well!
