By Julie Scharnberg

It’s just the place you’re looking for when you want a coffee or tea break. Located in a charming, sage-green building at 33 Franklin Street in Torrington along the Naugatuck River across from Danielle Mailer’s colorful “FishTales” mural, Good Company Coffee House is cozy and comfortable and smells heavenly when you step inside.

Asked about the inspiration for the name, co-owner Michelle Wall said, “We wanted something welcoming and to the point. I didn’t want people to have to guess what we were doing. Also, there’s the Jane Austen quote: ‘My idea of good company, Mr. Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.’”

The coffee house ofers a variety of fresh-baked cookies and muffins, including gluten-free options.

Good Company Coffee House opened in November 2016. Wall is pleased to report that her initial vision for the coffee house has been realized. “There is such a need for coffee houses in our area. A place to gather with friends, or just take a solo break, sit at the bar and stare out the window drinking a really great cup of coffee or tea.”

On an average day the customer mix is really diverse—from parents with children to young adults to retirees. Wall laughs and says, “Let’s face it, coffee does not discriminate.”

The menu is fresh and interesting, and true to Wall’s original concept of simple, unassuming coffee and baked goods. Given the incredible variety of coffees and teas from all over the world available for purchase these days, Wall said she and her husband drank a lot of coffee and tea before finalizing their vendor selections for the opening. Irving Farm in Millerton, N.Y., was the final choice for coffee. “Everything about the company from setup to product was the best. Just recently we brought in another amazing company for our espresso drinks, Abbotsford Road out of Brooklyn. Harney and Sons was our intro to the tea world, they are amazing. We also work with Simpson and Vail from Brookfield, Conn.”

Wall herself prefers coffee, however “this little venture has really introduced me to the loose-leaf tea world. It’s truly fascinating, intricate, full of history and tradition. Teas have such a back story, drinking them is more of an experience.”

There really is something for almost every coffee, hot chocolate or tea lover to experience. Add-ins include organic milk, a great selection of nondairy milks, house-made syrups (vanilla, caramel, lavender, peppermint) and house-made ganache with either dark or white chocolate base (mocha, lavender white, coconut white, mint chocolate, white chocolate).

If you want a little something to go with your coffee or tea, Wall offers a rotating selection of freshly baked cookies, biscotti, muffins and cinnamon rolls, including some very tasty gluten-free options.

Wall and her husband, Thomas, are both Connecticut natives. Michelle was raised in Bethlehem and Thomas grew up in Torrington. They spent some time in Charlotte, N.C., after they got married, moved to Torrington for a short time, then moved to Litchfield, where they currently live with their six children.

Asked why they selected Torrington for their business start-up, Michelle Wall replied, “The longer I’m in Torrington as a business owner, the more excited I get for all the developments and economic potential that Torrington has and is working on.” She mentioned an increase in business following the opening of the new courthouse as an example.

Wall recently hired a full-time employee who now takes care of the baking and can act as barista when needed. “[The] girl has skills! She was definitely heaven-sent. We are looking forward to great things with Amber.”

Reflecting on the venture as a whole, including the challenges and barriers that can sometimes get in the way of operating a successful small business, Wall is thankful for her great contractor and the guidance offered by the SCORE program offered through the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Connecticut Economic Development Fund. Her best reward as a small business owner is “the happy customers. Being able to bring coffee culture to Torrington and providing that place of enjoyment and ‘Good Company’ for everyone.”

“Honestly, our favorite moments are when someone comes in for the first time, leaves smiling and comes back the next day. We officially become their coffee spot.”

The Good Company Coffee House, 33 Franklin Street, Torrington, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. There is free Wi-Fi. Contact the store at goodcompanycoffeehouse.com, 860-618-2411 or on Facebook.

Photos by Bruce Frisch.