Ever since Kashonnon “Kay” Elgin saw Belle’s library in “Beauty and the Beast,” she dreamed of owning a bookshop filled with love, shelves of books and friends.
It was that childhood spark that kept her dream alive. And as her tastes evolved with age and she fell in love with teas and espresso-based drinks, she realized she could combine the two.
“We dreamed of creating more than just a cafe,” she said. “We wanted a gathering place where neighbors become friends, stories are shared and every sip feels like home.”
After painting, drywalling and creating the cafe’s book nooks, shelves and cozy spaces, with the help of many, Elgin is about to open The Book and Brew Cafe on Court Street just a block down from Houlton’s historic Market Square.
On Friday she was framing and putting up photos of her favorite authors, including Maine’s own Stephen King while she waited for a large book order and espresso machine to arrive. She said she was tempted to pull down the brown paper covering the huge wall of historic windows to reveal the space she has created for her community.
“Houlton is the perfect place to have a cafe,” she said. “I want to be more than a cafe, I want people to be able to come in, gather, be together, read. I have board games. And I plan on doing book clubs and events like Trivia night.”
Most downtown shops and the County Co-Op & Farm Store, which is famous for a place to get coffee or a meal, are closed at night. But The Book and Brew will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday evenings until 9 p.m. , giving people in the area a new place to hangout for coffee and light fare at night.
The first open mic poetry reading will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 17, Elgin said, adding that anyone can come to share their poetry.
There are new and used books for sale.
“It is a nicely-curated offering [of books] across many genres. But if they are not interested in those books, they can come in and sit down and have a cup of whatever and read their own book,” Elgin said. “I just wanted to have a nice, cozy, safe space for our community.”
All coffee drinks will be espresso-based such as lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, iced and hot as well as special literary-themed drinks like the Robert Frost, a frozen or hot drink with peppermint and white chocolate.
“I’m hoping to be able to serve the community ‘The Grinch,’ at Christmas time,” Elgin said about the green frozen drink.
Foods include baked goods, paninis and rice bowls, including a chipotle chicken rice bowl and sushi rice bowl with tuna.
Initially Elgin had hoped to open this week, but a few snags with getting on the Houlton Town Council agenda for her town license delayed it a bit. But to make sure the new cafe can be open over the holidays, the Council decided to hold a Zoom meeting on Dec. 22 to review and approve her license.
She has planned a two-day soft opening and open house on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with books, and tastings to give people a chance to come in, take a look, try different drinks and get to know the cafe.
“I’m super thankful and excited and appreciative that the council is doing this, “ Elgin said. “There will be crafts, giveaways, Blind Date with a Book and more.”
Elgin, along with her husband and 9-year-old son, moved to Houlton from Buckingham County, Virginia six years ago. But that first winter in northern Maine was a rough transition through all the snow, ice and relative isolation while her husband, a customs agent, was away for training.
“It was a big change, coming from a different state, not knowing anyone and being by ourselves,” she said. “Luckily we had a really good neighbor. He was so nice and so helpful.”
For many, northern Maine winters can take a toll and Elgin is hoping the cafe will offer a warm space for people in the cold months ahead.
“It’s all worth the effort to see the community so excited about it and have their support,” Elgin said. “And to see my dream come to reality.”
