(This article first appeared in the August 16, 2017 issue of The Independent Newspaper)
After eight months of rebuilding from a fire that devastated Sag Harbor in December 2016, SagTown reopened its doors on August 5 with a new wave of business.
“I finished the construction that Friday night at midnight and we opened Saturday morning 6 AM,” owner Shane Dyckman detailed.
“Good things always come out of bad. It’s a great feeling being so welcomed back.”
Now with two entrances, one directly on Main Street, SagTown is welcoming new customers who may have missed the former back-alley access to this local coffee shop. The new construction seamlessly flows and calls attention to Dyckman’s passion for the ocean with nautical ropes at every turn, creating a beachy vibe.
Dyckman introduces a Draft Latte on tap by La Colombe Coffee Roasters. A condensed espresso fused with frothy milk, this delicious caffeine fix settles like a Guinness. It’s a java lover’s dream and Dyckman’s personal favorite morning jolt. Want more than a Draft Latte? Order the Black and Tan, which is cold brew half way topped with a Draft Latte. Suddenly “on tap” has a whole new meaning.
More than coffee beans, SagTown offers a new food component, run by Ian Lowell, including salads, gourmet eight-inch pizzas, acai bowls, and avocado toast (a menu expected to change with the seasons).
“Whether there’s a blizzard, whether Santa came or not, we’re open Christmas morning and 365 days a year at 6 AM. This place is for the community, it’s more of that than anything else. After the fire and everything I feel like they want to be part of the rebuilding,” Dyckman explained.
His dedication to the community, including roles as a volunteer firefighter and owner of Flying Point Surf School, now pans to company merchandise. Hats, drawstring bags, t-shirts, and more: customers can take SagTown with them wherever they go.
A few doors down sees a vibe of a different kind. A literati’s dream combination, Harbor Books now offers a Bohemian tea room.
“While I attended UVM in Burlington, Vermont, I spent many hours at the wonderful tea room off of Church Street called Dobra Tea and I thought it would be a good place to start,” owner of Harbor Books, Taylor Berry, stated.
After sitting down with the partners of Dobra, Berry spent six months traveling back and forth to Burlington for immersive and intensive tea training. Construction began the last week of April with an official re-opening of the store, and tea counter, the first week of May.
Nestled in one of Harbor Books’s cozy couches with a novel in one hand and your choice of tea or tisane in another (32 different kinds to be exact), as one of the store’s felines lay alongside you. Stop in for a Forest Dragon, which is iced matcha, rice milk, and jasmine tea. Berry is excited for customers to sip and savor with seasonal specials throughout the year — hot or chilled, bubble or regular.
SagTown Coffee is located at 78 Main Street, call 631-725-8696.
Harbor Books and Dobra Tea is located at 20 Main Street, call 631-808-3401.
Need to fuel your addiction more? Other localized places to grab your caffeine fix in Sag Harbor:
Sylvester & Co located at 103 Main Street, call 631-725-5012. Shop home décor whilst enjoying a snack and brew.
Grindstone Coffee and Donuts located at 7 Main Street, call 631-808-3370. Come for the coffee, leave with a box of donuts.
Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee located at 51 Division Street, call 631-808-3420. Understated but far from overrated.
Many beverages were enjoyed while creating this article.