Got the coffee blues?

Gina Stafford and her daughter Simone came up with the idea for Meadow Blues Coffee shop two years ago and opened up on Main Street in Chester in 2018.

The café’s theme, Blues music, reflects throughout their menu’s signature Smoothies, named after famous Blues singers.

Why the blues?

“Because,” Stafford said, “I love the Blues.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic started to impact local business owners, Stafford shut down immediately.

“We closed in March,” she said. “My mother is 87 and I wasn’t risking it.”

During the shutdown, Stafford saw an opportunity down the street, literally. The new location, on Greycourt Avenue, is less than a three-minute walk from its original location. Next to Rushing Duck Brewery, Stafford is grateful for the support from neighboring businesses.

“I have a lot of support from the local breweries and the farmers here.”

Stafford is an advocate for all things local, even implementing local ingredients in her coffee and food.

“I use the beer from Rushing Duck and Long Lot brewery for brownies and bread.”

She is also playing around with the idea of a liquor license. “Just so I can do beer, wine and cider to support our local breweries.”

Nikki Cavanaugh, co-owner of Rushing Duck and Curtis Johnson, owner of Long Lot Farm Brewery have been some of Stafford’s biggest supporters since the beginning of Meadow Blues, and especially helpful since her move.

“It’s really cool to have people on your side. They were there for me.”

And to make that point, she named her various coffees after these folks who lent a hand.

Stafford’s new location comes with a large outside area that Stafford likes to call her “Blue’s Garden.” She plans for outdoor seating and small events like yoga, paint and sips, and music during the summer months.

“Since its summertime it’s nice, but I’ll have to adjust in the winter months for whatever the norm is in New York State and follow the guidelines of what I can do here.”

Her move couldn’t have come at a better time, with its large outdoor seating area perfect for socially distant outdoor seating.

“When one door shuts the other one opens.”

Meadow Blues Coffee opened July 21; indoor and outdoor seating is available.