Patricio Abarca and Linda Grimsley of Plainsboro recently celebrated their second anniversary at the shop known as the Cheers of coffee, Orpha’s Coffee Shop in Montgomery. The couple greets steady customers by name — or by their “regular” order.##M:[more]##
Although the original plan to open the shop in Plainsboro fell through, many of their regular customers drive from Plainsboro for the coffee — and the ambiance.
Linda was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. When she was 7 years-old, her father died and she and her mother (Orpha) moved to Chile. Patricio was born in Santiago, Chile, and worked in international banking for 25 years. They have a son, Pat, a junior at Northeastern University; and daughter, Andrea, a freshman at Tufts University. Both graduated from High School South. The store is named after Linda’s mother, now a New York City resident.
“We both are heavy coffee drinkers and always wanted to open a retail food business,” she says. “Coffee is like wine, depends on the moon, occasion, or time of day.”
They sell many different coffees from around the world in both the store and on the website. All of the coffees are grown and processed with the environment and fair trade in mind. The beans are roasted on the premises. “My favorites are Latin American coffees that are smooth and sweet with low acidity,” Linda says. “My husband, on the other hand, likes them strong, with lots of body. He goes for the Asian and African coffees.”
Along with the coffee breakfast paninis are served on either white ciabatta or seven grain with choices of eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, and tomato.
Singer Larry Tritel plays a mix of rock, blues, folk, funk, jazz, standards, oldies, and originals, every Saturday and Sunday morning in November. The caf‚ knitters meet every Thursday at 10 a.m. Richard Baker’s photographs are on exhibit throughout November.
Performers also include Folk by Association, Saturday, November 5, 2 to 5 p.m.; Bob Messano Live Blues, Saturday, November 12, 2 to 5 p.m.; and The Tone Rangers, Saturday, November 19, 2 to 5 p.m.
Orpha’s is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is located at 1330 Route 206, Montgomery. Visit www.orphas.com for information, the retail store, and calendar of events.
