As a young child my early memories of my family was eating big Italian meals.  That was followed by a Dessert which was ever sweet item we had home at that time and Coffee.  I was told the Coffee was always there for Nana (nah-nah: Italian for grandma).  She’d enjoy a cup with whatever sweet item we had home at that time.

 

Growing up my Mom began to allow me to make/bake the Desserts.  They were normally Cake mixes from a box that were placed into the oven.  Over time, while baking and following recipes I started learning flavors and what tasted good together (and what didn't work).

​

During the Christmas season the house would smell like an Italian bakery.  From Pizzelle (Italian waffle cookies) dusted with powdered sugar and Dark Chocolate Fudge to Snowballs (also known as Italian Wedding Cookies) and Biscotti.  We also made Butter Cookies and Fig Cookies decorated with rainbow nonpareils.

 

It was Nana's sweet tooth and love for Coffee that was the inspiration to open a café.  She is also the reason I choose the name "Coffee & ...".  After our feast, she was normally the first one done eating and would sit and wait while the rest of us would finish.  Once the last person was done she'd look to my Mom and ask, "what do we have with my coffee?"  Someone commented, "Connie always has to have her coffee and ...".  Ever since I heard that, I knew that would be the name I wanted to use.