Longfellow's Brewing Coffee with a Smile for 9 Years

The line at Longfellow’s coffee stand is three or four vehicles long at 1:30 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon.

The customers can pile up fast for Nicole Caltabellotta so she runs out to ask what the next customer wants while the first person’s order finishes brewing.

“We tend to know exactly what our customers want,” said owner Jordan Jed. “Our customers, they know us and we know them. We get to know them a little bit at a time, not just what kind of coffee they like, but personally and I think that keeps them coming back.”

Jed’s had the drive-through stand off of Route 23 South for nine years. In a world of Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, including one just like Longfellow’s a little ways away on Route 23, Jed understands the value is offering personal service with a smile along with a quality product.

“It’s definitely a fun place to work,” said Caltabellotta said. “It can get very busy here but that’s good. It’s nice to get to know the people who come here.”

Longfellow’s roasts three kinds of coffee: a dark, medium, and decaffeinated. There are 30 flavors of syrup, including eight sugar-free. The seasonal flavors, like pumpkin and peppermint, are very popular. Pumpkin is their biggest flavor seller. Soon, Jed will feature real eggnogs with steamed milk and espresso.

The flavors and Jed’s creativity have combined to create a menu feature hot and cold drinks like the black eye, which is hot chocolate combined with a shot of espresso.

Jed uses all-natural ingredients as much as possible and even makes his own hot chocolate mix.

“We’re constantly trying new things,” Jed said.

Jed also sells freshly-made muffins and other bakery items, soups, and breakfast burritos.

Cassandra Fleksher, a Kinnelon resident, visits the roadside stand almost everyday. She buys people Longfellow gift cards as presents.

“I love this place. Great coffee, great service, their conveniently located, and I’d rather give my money to a small business like this and be treated well than go to one of the large chain stores,” sald Fleksher. “We need more places like this.”