<p>Mocha Mott’s, the popular Oak Bluffs coffee shop, is on track to open by mid-October, co-owners Meredith Aldrich and Tim Dobel said Monday.</p>
Mocha Mott’s, the popular Circuit avenue coffee shop in Oak Bluffs, is on track to open by mid-October if all goes well, co-owners Meredith Aldrich and Tim Dobel told the Gazette Monday.
Sitting outside their Main street Vineyard Haven location, they said no date is yet set, but a party is planned for the reopening.
Scott Hershowitz, well-loved barista, will be pulling shots again by mid-October if all goes according to plan.
Scott Hershowitz, well-loved barista, will be pulling shots again by mid-October if all goes according to plan.
“We’ll have a great grand reopening and we’ll to let everyone know when it is,” Ms. Aldrich said.
In February, a burst pipe in the building above flooded the basement level coffee shop. The owners shut down for repairs, hoping to reopen in May, but as unforeseen issues continued to come up, Mott’s was closed for the entire summer season.
“We’re open year-round and want to be open, there were just a lot of things out of our control,” Mr. Dobel said.
Once Mott’s reopens, regular customers will hardly be able to tell the difference, the owners promised, with the same decor, menu and staff returning to the shop. After a furlough to the Vineyard Haven Mott’s, all the regular crew will be back brewing coffee in Oak Bluffs.
“Scotty will be back driving the ship,” Mr. Dobel said, referring to Scott Hershowitz, a well-loved barista at the shop for 18 years.
The owners are currently checking all the boxes, getting in all the equipment, doing painting touch-ups and finishing inspections.
“It’s like putting a puzzle back together,” Ms. Aldrich said.
Mr. Dobel and Ms. Aldrich have owned Mocha Mott’s since 2001, when they took over from founder Mott Hinkley. Mocha Mott’s has been operating at 10 Circuit avenue for 22 years. The basement-level shop is only accessible by staircase. A recent online petition at thepetitionsite.com to make the Oak Bluffs location ADA compliant and handicap accessible has been circulating. Mr. Dobel and Ms. Aldrich did not comment on the petition, except to say than say they dealt properly with all the necessary boards.
After near eight months of repair work, they said they are both excited and hopeful for the reopening.
“Within the next month, we will be selling coffee,” Ms. Aldrich said.
“Barring something unforeseen, we’re hoping for the first half of October,” Mr. Dobel said.
Comments
Can't wait, my summer trip
Joyce Guelli Waltham, maCan't wait, my summer trip was not the same without Mott's. The whole family loves the " Mocha Mott's ambience" A fall trip is a must as soon as you open. Best of luck!
Definitely missed you this
Toni Kauffman Vineyard Haven by way of NJDefinitely missed you this summer! I am now a permanent resident and can't wait for your re-opening! I need a new cup too!
Look forward to the reopening
Edward Redd Oak BluffsLook forward to the reopening .Its a part of the Vineyard we have come to love,along with Scott and all the other regulars who meet there for coffee,breakfast sandwiches and muffins!
Congratulations! I know its
Susan HughesCongratulations! I know its been a long haul. Can't wait!
Love Mocha Motts !!
Marrha Magee HereLove Mocha Motts !!
Always love bringing back a
Pat Hurley ConnecticutAlways love bringing back a piece of the island by bringing home some Mocha Motts! See you next year!!
Good Luck Meredith and Tim,
Douglas Korves Architect Always on Island or in Edgewater NJGood Luck Meredith and Tim,
I wish you well in your lower level mocha den. I have counseled and mitigated owners with accessibility challenged spaces. What all citizen neighbors must realize is that the ADA is not a code. The ADA is a civil rights law that municipalities incorporate into their codes. The ADA is not a black and white law that one must scorch the earth and level the town to get access to a good cup of coffee.
Under the ADA, Every business and facility must first review their physical premise and conditions. Then they develop solutions for accessibility. Then they evaluate the complexity and cost of those solutions and then make "reasonable" accommodations for the public to access the services. Reasonable includes a good faith analysis of what is "readily achievable".
As example, 1.) a small below grade shop may not have the income to provide a $40,000 lift/elevator, or create the physical space for an arrival area at the shop level without impacting the counters, equipment and affect the ability to generate income.
2. A tenant or owner may not have the physical space or right to have a ramp to the store from the street.
3. That is why you see intercoms and signs that say: "push button or call this number if you need handicap assistance. That is what is known reasonable accommodation." However, based on revenue level, that might not be considered a reasonable accommodation for the Oceanview Hotel.
Everyone has the right to a good cup of coffee. In this net/cellphone connected world, you may have the right to have a brevi latte and a Cronut brought to you at the top of the staircase.
Any more news on the
Cousin Paul QuincyAny more news on the reopening of Oak Bluffs? I'll be on island 10/13-10/16 and I'm hoping for some java!
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