Yellow Dog Brews Up Coffee & Community In Manahawkin
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A lot goes into the perfect cup of coffee. Freshly roasted beans prepared at right temperature and brewed expertly are key. Dave Smithman knows this. But what takes coffee from great to perfect? It’s who you drink it with.
“A good cup, with good company, and good conversation is what it’s all about. Coffee has brought humans together in this way for thousands of years,” Smithman told Patch. “We are so lucky to occupy just a small piece of the puzzle.”
Smithman, a Barnegat native who lives in Manahawkin with his wife Cait and two children, Reese (3) and Jack (7 months), is the proud owner of Yellow Dog Coffee Roasters, which recently opened up a storefront and café at 420 N. Main St. And if you’re wondering, the “yellow dog” is Smithman’s yellow lab, Oakley.
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The business got its start in 2019, when Smithman was roasting beans at home in a popcorn maker, selling to friends and family. It’s grown to selling at farmers markets, to larger roasters, to selling locally and wholesale. And now, at its new store.
“Our last project was a coffee trailer, called ‘The Coffee Can’. I realized shortly after finishing the trailer that I needed to move the coffee roasting operation into a proper commercial space to keep up with permitting,” Smithman said. “It seemed like the brick and mortar was just the next step for Yellow Dog.”
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While the shop is in its early days, Smithman says he’s receive a lot of positive feedback from customers.
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“It was important to us to create an inviting space with a friendly staff that has something for every coffee drinker,” he said. So, Yellow Dog offers specialty blends from various origins, along with a full espresso menu and cold brew with specialty seasonal drinks.
The most popular choices, Smithman said, are their signature “Baymen Blend” for coffee and as for drinks, it’s their Vermont Maple Latte.
“The community has been great and our customers have been overwhelmingly friendly and positive,” Smithman said. “It has given us so much confidence in our business and we are so thankful for those who make an effort to support local.”
You can stop in for a fresh cup of coffee daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit the Yellow Dog Coffee Roasters Facebook page for more information.
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