GOSHEN — Sometimes it takes a new generation to reimagine a family business. That is true for Gabrielle Yurtlugil and her husband, Kaan, who recently opened Harbor Coffee House at 151 Route 47 North in the Goshen section of Middle Townhsip.
Formerly her grandfather’s and then her parents’ seafood takeout business, Yurtlugil has reimagined the space as a modern café, delighting visitors with its fresh food and espresso beverages.
“It’s been my lifelong dream to start a coffee shop,” Yurtlugil said. “I’ve worked in coffee since I was 17, and [my husband] also worked in coffee. We met at a coffee shop and now we own a coffee shop.”
The newlyweds decided to pay homage to the building’s former business, as well as the area’s back bays, with the name.
She said her grandparents had the spot for 30 years and always sold crabs.
“It’s been generations of crabbing,” she said, noting her father moved his crabbing business up to the marina, so the name was inspired by him.
She joked that maybe they will have a crab special one day.
Being a third-generation owner of any establishment can come with its own set of obstacles. Still, Yurtlugil said she was pleased they pushed through the challenges of opening a new business.
“Everyone has been so kind and welcoming,” she said. “I hope they will find the shop a taste of something different and [it] brings a smile to people’s faces.”
The small but spacious building was renovated and retrofitted into a cozy café, incorporating her husband’s European influences.
“When creating the beverage menu, I knew I wanted it to be classic, but also have a bunch of fun special latte drinks,” Yurtlugil said.
The menu features a staple selection of signature drinks, including the popular Peanut Nutter Butter and Cinnamon Toast Crunch lattes.
There also will be seasonal drinks, which currently is a blueberry latte — an iced espresso drink with house-made blueberry syrup and blueberry cold foam.
“We wanted to bring something different [to the table] that is not around here and create a different menu,” Yurtlugil said.
The bestsellers off the breakfast and lunch menus include the breakfast burrito and spicy wrap. The breakfast bowls have also been a big hit on the menu.
The lunch menu features several sandwich and salad options, including a fresh-cut pastrami sandwich. Yurtlugil said finding fresh-cut pastrami in southern New Jersey can be difficult, which is why she is excited to have it on the menu.
Incorporating the greater community was essential to Yurtlugil. Harbor Coffee House carries fresh flowers from a local farm and a selection of body products from Greater Purpose Tallow.
“We are going to get some more local artists in here, and do some farmers markets,” she said. “We want to make [our shop] a place of both coffee and community.”
She hopes to have the shop open year-round and is already looking forward to the fall and holiday drink specials.
“We are a small business, doing our best to provide for our community every day,” Yurtlugil said. “We want to be a staple in our Goshen community, and they have been so supportive. It’s fun to have more coffee shops.”
Harbor Coffee House is open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday (coffee and breakfast menu only). Follow on Facebook @harborcoffeehouse and on Instagram @harborcoffeenj for more information.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
