What was once a small, family-owned coffee shop in Water Mill has now evolved into Long Island's largest coffee roaster and retailer with an impressive lineup of community-centered cafes around the East End. Here, we sit down with Hampton Coffee Company’s co-owner Jason Belkin.
Can you tell us a little bit about Hampton Coffee Company’s history? Hampton Coffee Company is a local, family-owned company that started with our flagship location in Water Mill more than 27 years ago in a 1940s-era service station. Since then we’ve become Long Island’s largest independent coffee roaster with six cafes on the East End of Long Island, a fully customized Mercedes Sprinter mobile espresso unit and over 100 wholesale partners.
How has the company evolved with the different generations? We’ve been lucky to have generations of customers that enjoy visiting us for their classic HCC favorites like our handmade espresso beverages while also catering to younger generations with new and exciting things like handmade local matcha, shaken cold brews and lots of vegan options.
Are there any new menu items or events that you’re excited for this summer? We’ll be introducing a brand-new Fiesta Salad (that’s 100% vegan) and hosting performers from the Montauk Music Festival at our Montauk cafe for the first time since opening!
How has the Hamptons community supported and responded to Hampton Coffee Company’s legacy? After all of the struggles that the last two years brought with the COVID-19 pandemic, it was amazing to be able to stay open (safely and responsibly) because of the support of our loyal customers. Their support meant that we were able to keep our teams working and providing for themselves and their families throughout a really difficult time. Another great product of their support has been our ability to give back to more than 100 local organizations each year including Hamptons Community Outreach, which really made a difference to those affected by COVID-19.
What is your favorite part about life in the Hamptons? That each of our cafes has a close-knit community that we are so proud to be a contributing part of and that we are located throughout the Hamptons so our fans are never too far from HCC no matter where their summer plans take them!
Anything else we can buzz for the summer? Yes! We have a new and improved Hampton Coffee app. All the improvements our guests have been asking for like easy reordering, twice the rewards and an easy-to-use design. 869 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631.726.2633, hamptoncoffeecompany.com
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
