Everyone told Chris Thompson, owner of Philter Coffee, that painting the interior walls blue and grey in his new coffee shop was a bad idea. “They said it would be too cold,” Chris remarks. Yet, upon entering this work-in-progress, one is immediately welcomed by the warmth of the colors, the cozy lighting, the lofty ceilings and the contemporary-yet-vintage furnishings. The space inside is open, offering many places for soon-to-be customers to order, sit, sip and relax.
Chris is a born and raised Philly boy who met a girl (whom he later married), who convinced him to relocate to the suburbs. Before suburban life, though, Chris spent his days in restaurant management. This soon evolved into managing several Brew Ha Ha espresso cafes. But don’t be fooled: Chris’s evident love for coffee started long before he began managing coffee houses.
At the age of 18, Chris was offered an espresso drink at the local mall. His Americano (part espresso, part water), came from a small, unassuming kiosk. “There were always long lines and people loved the place,” Chris remembers. “I was drawn to the neat and simple concept of this coffee kiosk.” And the dream of opening a coffee shop was born.
Years later, after moving to the suburbs, Chris pursued several store options to no avail. Then, a Kennett Square storefront that was formerly a small barbershop opened up. As a resident of the Kennett Square borough, the location was ideal. Chris shares, “When we were looking for houses, I was impressed by the scene in Kennett. There was good food and things happening. I felt like I could live here, raise a family here.” The store needed some work, but Chris was ready to put forth the effort.
In a few weeks, Chris’s dream will become a reality. The shop is on schedule to open in early December, but they are working diligently in hopes of opening their doors before Thanksgiving. They plan to be open seven days a week, 6 a.m.–8 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The later evenings will be a great addition to the growing nightlife forming in downtown Kennett Square.
A philter, from the Old French philtre is a “potion, charm or drug which is supposed to make a person fall in love.” In addition to the shop’s unique name, what makes Philter different than the average coffee shop? Chris’s specialty is “poured over coffee,” a manual brewing process which involves a complex funnel system that allows water to drip or pour over coffee slowly to extract more flavor. Not only is this drip coffee method delectable, it is also intriguing to watch! Chris intends to offer four poured-over coffees each day, each with a unique profile and flavor notes, as well as regular batch brew coffees for those who need to grab their caffeine and go.
Chris has partnered with Ceremony Coffee Roasters from Annapolis, Maryland as the provider for his beans. Ceremony Coffee Roasters works to foster direct trade relationships with the farms they buy from as well as to utilize quality importers. Chris believes all of these attributes lead to quality coffee.
In addition to coffee, Philter will offer pastries, bagels, sandwiches, chopped salads and soup. The cafe will be connected to wifi, enticing those who enjoy working from office alternatives. Chris hopes that Philter will bring to Kennett, “really, really good coffee in a comfortable setting where you can go to have a conversation. A pleasant way to start your morning.” His main focus is to make sure the coffee is perfect and the hospitality is spot-on, and sums up the Philter philosophy with four words: Internet, seats, smiles and coffee.
Stay in touch with Philter’s opening plans by liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter. Visit them at 111 W. State Street, Kennett Square, (610) 444-7687.
Photography credits: Exterior storefront and Chris at table, credited to Stephanie Anderson; peeks inside Philter, including coffee counter and espresso machine, credited to Philter.
