Hampton Coffee Company Celebrates 20th Year In Westhampton Beach With Lifetime Of Memories: 'So Thankful'

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Hampton Coffee Company, a community touchstone, recently marked 20 years in Westhampton Beach — and now, co-owners Jason and Theresa Belkin have shared their thoughts and reflections on a journey that's brought so much collective joy to their family, loyal employees, and longtime customers.

Hampton Coffee Company opened at the Mill Road location in Westhampton Beach in January, 2006.

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"When our Westhampton Beach cafe opened 20 years ago, it was such a special moment for us," Jason Belkin said. "It was our second cafe and the first that we designed ourselves. Westhampton Beach was Theresa's 'baby' and she worked from opening to closing nearly every day."

He added: "For a while we only had a few employees. It was also special because we had recently gotten married and moved to Westhampton Beach and were close enough to walk to the store. We were really proud to start becoming a part of this community."

There are moments over the years that live forever in hearts and memories.

"Weddings, children born, customers who have become staples and regulars," Belkin said. "Now that we've been here for over two decades, we've seen so much of peoples' lives. We still have customers who have been coming since Day One!"

For the 20th anniversary celebration, Belkin said they recreated a photo of Theresa and their first-ever customer, "who still comes in today," he said.

What's really satisfying, he added, is how many local kids have come through Hampton Coffee Company over the years.

"There must have been over 100 kids at this point. They come to us for their first job and they leave when it's time to go off to college or careers," Belkin said. "Many still come back to work over the summers for a while. We're so proud to see how far they've come and what they've gone on to do and are glad that we helped contribute to that. So many have thrived in their lives since, getting married and being successful in their careers."

The Belkins have seen many personal milestones in the 20 years since their shared dream was born in Westhampton Beach.

"So many important life events have happened since we opened our Westhampton Beach cafe," Belkin said. "Theresa and I were able to buy a house in Westhampton Beach and we had two children, Cian and Oran, now 15- and 13-years-old. The Westhampton Beach store was also the start of growing our company to eight locations on the East End today."

Westhampton Beach has always held a special place in their hearts, Belkin said.

"We are so fortunate to have put down our roots and opened our espresso bar here in Westhampton Beach. The whole Greater Westhampton area is just so special. We have so many amazing natural resources, such great non-profits — including the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, and the Westhampton Free Library — as well as what we consider to be the best Main Street on the entire East End."

And, he added, the village sparkles with "many special and unique local businesses such as Justin's Chop Shop and the Mill Road Cheese Shop."

Their children have blossomed in the village, as well, he said.

"Our kids are lucky to attend Westhampton Beach schools and have participated in so many Hampton Youth Athletic League sports teams over the years."

The Westhampton Beach location symbolizes a shining testament to all that came after, Belkin said.

"Opening in Westhampton Beach in 2006 was the beginning of the growth of our business," he said. "We gradually added more team members and later on, Theresa was able to work in the office more. We opened our next store in Southampton and moved our coffee roastery there, where there would be more room to grow. It also gave us the opportunity to become part of this community where we had a business and lived."

The pair has long believed in giving back with full hearts.

"Theresa has been PTA president and a board member of HUGS, among other volunteering opportunities," Belkin said. "I am proud to be a member of the town's new Community Housing Fund board and SAFE in Southampton," he said. "It all started here in Westhampton Beach."

When asked what words of wisdom he'd impart to others thinking of opening a business on the East End, Belkin reflected: "You have to be pretty brave to start a small business. And then once you commit to it, you need to work hard; nothing comes without hard work and challenges. But, that's offset by triumphs, accomplishments, and success. Little by little, it gets better — and not easier, but different."

He added: "As we've grown, we've been able to share many of our responsibilities with new team members, so we're not working as hard on some things. But then there are new and different challenges to overcome — like Starbucks opening across the street from our cafe!"

"When Starbucks first opened, it was upsetting," said Theresa Belkin. "But then we realized that we'd be okay. We are so different than Starbucks. We roast all of our coffee daily and just a few miles away. We bake in the store each morning before opening. And we make all our hot breakfast and lunch food ourselves. For the same price, which place would you choose?”

She added: "We are so fortunate to have such amazing support from our local community," said Theresa. "We have been active members of our community for more than 20 years now, we live here, and we're always saying 'yes' to everything we are asked to help out with. Now, when we needed our community back, they all showed up for us, which is so heart-warming."

If he were to speak to someone just starting out, Belkin said: "The best piece of advice we can give any entrepreneur is to give back to your community. The people in the community are your customers, and you wouldn't be in business without their support. The most important people to us at HCC are our local year-round customers. Our focus is always on them. And just as important, treat your team well — you couldn't do it without them, either!"

When the Hampton Coffee Company marked 20 years at the Westhampton Beach location, a collage was created and hung on the door.

"The collage was created using a variety of photos captured and shared on social media by our Westhampton Beach guests, combined with many photos we’ve taken over the years. It was a fun way for us to display and share some of the love we’ve received and the special moments we’ve had," Belkin said.

The Belkins, along with celebrating their milestone in Westhampton Beach, also recently added a new location to the string of beloved spots across the East End — the latest, in Quogue Village.

A new location in Quogue

"We are so excited to have just opened in Quogue Village!" Belkin said. "We weren't planning on opening a new cafe so soon after opening in Hampton Bays just last year, but the building's owner asked us and we fell in love with the building. We took over the space at 48 Quogue Street, at the end of Jessup Avenue, that used to be Beth's Cafe until she retired last September."

Of the new venture, Belkin said: "It's such an amazing space. It's more than 100-years-old and has been some type of luncheonette for most of that time. We are proud to be able to continue the tradition in this spot. What's really special at our cafe here is that it's modeled after our original full-service sit-down restaurant in Water Mill. We're offering the usual to-go menu of bakery and beverages, plus a full breakfast and lunch menu from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Something for everyone, from omelets and breakfast burritos to char-grilled burgers, authentic Mexican grill food, lobster rolls, and so much more. Enjoy our indoor or outdoor seating or order anything to-go."

Looking back on the past two decades, the memories are flooded with love, joy, and so much gratitude, the Belkins said.

"Theresa and I are so thankful for all our customers who choose our local coffee shop every day and support our family-owned business," Belkin said. "When people choose Hampton Coffee Company or another local business, they're giving those businesses the ability to hire local people and contribute to local charities. It really is one big circle in communities like ours. When customers support us, they are helping to sustain our special community — and everyone is a winner."