Mocha Coffeehouse Closing Sunday, ‘Estate Sale’ Planned

By John Voket

Despite a robust community effort that included a social networking initiative attracting more than 800 supporters in just a couple of months to “Save Mocha Now,” the popular and community-minded Mocha Coffeehouse in Sandy Hook Center will close for good on Sunday, May 30.

Owners Rob Kaiser and Scott Wolfman issued the formal notice via an email promotional blast to a mailing list of fans and supporters Tuesday.

“Mocha will be closed May 31 for Memorial Day, barring a miracle of epic proportions, for good (or bad as the case may be),” read the notice. “It’s been a great three years.”

The e-newsletter indicated that “the failures and forces that kept us from thriving in our little coffeehouse on the Pootatuck [River] are no match for the spirit that drove us forward.” However, sources and regulars who have patronized the business have privately told The Bee that in part, opposition to the establishment obtaining a wine and beer permit contributed to the owners’ eventual decision to call it quits.

Mocha has been a truly community-minded establishment, most recently hosting meetings of Newtown Coffee Party, an anti-Tea Party initiative, gatherings and fundraisers for Relay For Life and other causes, a revolving display of local artists’ works, live music, and a host of menu items from giant cupcakes to quiches, along with a variety of coffees, teas, and other beverages.

When they learned of the final decision to close through a post on The Bee’s Facebook page Tuesday morning, residents were uniformly disappointed.

“Too bad another Newtown business is going by the wayside,” wrote John Seman, while Gael Lynch, in a separate posting, called Mocha “a small treasure.” Others lamented the loss of a place that was safe for their children to socialize and offered notes of thanks to Mr Kaiser, who was the more visible of the two partners.

“Our mission; to create a meeting place of art ideas and tastes has been a growing success,” the closing notice stated. “To all the artists, musicians, bakers, roasters, tea merchants and coffee partiers — thank you for your dedication and your hospitality.”

So what’s next?

“After some well-deserved rest and reflection — on with life,” the closing message says.

In the meantime, anyone interested in a Mocha keepsake is invited to make an offer during a planned “Estate Sale” on Sunday, which will also serve as an impromptu going away party.

“All equipment and furnishing are available — no reasonable offer will be refused,” the notice stated. “Stop by, have a coffee, play a song, sign our memorial book.”

This final weekend of entertainment will feature DC James, a Jamaican-born composer on Friday; and JP Shannon, a freeform folk and blues artist on Saturday. Both performances will run from 8 to 10 pm.

Mocha will also be open through the 10th Annual Lions Club Great Pootatuck Duck Race, which will run on Saturday from 10 am until 3 pm.