Cove Coffee - Conversation Starters
Nestled away in downtown Mountain Home, Cove Coffee has sparked quite the buzz recently—and I don’t mean the caffeine. The quaint coffee bar is a relaxing oasis from the busy world surrounding the building located on Baker Street. Stepping through the front door, the customer is instantly transported into a picturesque world of enlightenment and comfort. A sign reading “We do not have WiFi …talk to each other pretend it’s 1995” hangs near the register, solidifying the fact that there are minimal digital distractions here.
Comfortable floral patterned couches surround multiple seating areas. Picture frames, elegant mirrors, artwork, and live potted plants bring the space together to make it feel like a home. Literature and games can be found tucked away on the many shelves and cubbies, encouraging customers to get comfortable and stay for a while. The classy atmosphere creates a mood that you just want to be a part of.
Since social distancing has kept people from going into Cove Coffee, until recently they had only been serving curbside. The whole atmosphere of Cove Coffee brings people together, so I wondered how business had been since the city let them open back up. I tracked down owner Kelsey Bertel and she was nice enough to answer a few of my questions about her recent experiences. Read below:
It’s a bright and cheery day in the Ozarks and if it was any other day in May, of any other year, you may not ever know that there is a global pandemic happening. The streets are buzzing with traffic and local stores are opening their doors for the first time in several weeks. People are back to work as phase two starts to open back up our state. With everyone back on the go, there is one thing that surely remains a necessity to all—coffee.
Whether you like it hot, iced, steamed, shaken or whipped, Cove Coffee has all the brewed delights you crave. Customers park along South Baker in downtown Mountain Home and are welcomed by the rock textured exterior of the building. The entrance to Cove Coffee is more than welcoming. A large circular logo including lake Norfork is proudly displayed next to the front door. Tables and chairs sit to the sides, revealing a perfect spot for a sip in the sun.
As I enter the building, workers are busy handcrafting artisan flavors and mixtures for their thirsty patrons. Offering more than just coffee, you can also find a selection of pastries, teas, ades, smoothies and more written on large chalkboard-style menus above their new ordering counter. I had the chance to ask Kelsey a few questions after she was nice enough to let me snap a few photos of the newly renovated interior.
With all the choices available, do you have a favorite?
"My favorite thing on our menu is our Beachside Brevè. It’s a latte made with coconut syrup, espresso, and steamed half and half. It’s super creamy and delicious. Coconut goes super well with our bean. I also love any fun special we run—We like to be creative and use what’s in season."
"We like to play with fun spices & healthy ingredients …it’s all about having fun at Cove and pushing the limits. We love to infuse cold brew & play with floral flavors. It’s a great way to keep our customers guessing."
What made you decide to open Cove Coffee?
"The story behind Cove is that I basically saw a huge need for people in the twin lakes area to have a place to gather. There isn’t many places like that. I love this area and I am from here, but it’s so hard to meet people organically. That, combined with wanting to utilize the downtown area buildings, made Cove happen."
Since people aren’t gathering, how is your business handling social distancing?
"Our business has been okay during Covid-19. We decided has a family to close for four weeks. During that time, we remodeled our bar and did lots of projects so that when the shop opened again, we were ready to knock it out of the park. We sold cold brew and our coffee by the pound to stay relevant, but now we are back to take-out and dine-in. We are so beyond happy to have our community of coffee lovers back, even if we have to limit the amount of people that come into our building. We are glad to have as much space and seating options as we do."
What are you mostly excited about for the future?
"I think the entertainment district is the best thing that could have happened to Mountain Home. Not necessarily because of the alcohol laws, but more because of the pull it will bring to downtown. It’s huge for small business owners here. Not to mention, we are using the buildings that already exist. Buildings that need love and that have history. It’s the most sustainable thing the area has done. I’m pleased and I look forward to being a part of it. It’s only gotten started!"
I want to say thanks to Cove Coffee for letting me come and get to know another local business a little better. Our small businesses drive our community and especially in times like these, we should rely on each other heavily. Remember to always tip your barista!
To keep up with Cove Coffee follow them on Facebook here.