If I Only Knew Now What I Didn’t Know Then

Back in the winter of 2015 I was in search of an intern from one of the local colleges who could, fingers crossed, take some nice looking, professional quality photos for the lifestyle site and related social media — including Instagram which at the time I’d mistakenly thought of as only tangentially important (ohhh how foolish I was) — that I’d recently launched. It was she who first introduced me to Empire Tea & Coffee in Newport. (Thanks a lot, Ashley!)

Locals Love It

As I later learned, Empire has been making a name for themselves dating back to 2004, by roasting their own beans and brewing up some of the freshest and best tasting cups of joe (both hot and iced) on the island. I mean, it really is where so many locals go for their daily dose of caffeine. Up until then, I had been getting my NPT County coffee by way of a popular chain known for its mermaid logo and Seattle origins (wink). Well, no more!

Just Brew-ti-ful

Going forward, my go-to’s in that neck of the woods would become Empire’s William Street and Broadway locations respectively. In fact, we were at the light filled, buzz-y William Street one for Sunday morning coffee and muffins a week or so before the shutdown this past spring.

I’ll Take A Coffee With My Sunshine

If you’re looking to get out this weekend (this Sunday is looking sunny, clear and mild-ish in terms of temps btw) and maybe stroll around Newport, the news is that both of those spots, situated in the heart of city, are open for carryout.

The key, though, is ordering in advance which means no waiting on line for your java, tea, or baked goods. Simply download their FREE app or go to their site EmpireTeaAndCoffee.com to preview their menu and place your order.

Happy Cawfee-ing!