Fairhope, Alabama
FIRST COFFEE SHOP OF MODERN ERA
Gene Leighty owner/operator of the popular coffee/ice cream shop on De La Mare Avenue announced he is retiring in July, selling his business to a Spanish Fort couple.
He moved to Fairhope from Florida with his family and opened in a small store on Church Street (outdoor seating only) in 1990, moved to a bigger space two doors down later in the decade, and then to the present location in 2001.
In the early 90's, his was the only stand-alone coffee shop in town until the 'Coffee Loft' and 'Latte Da' opened several years later; now there are at least seven at last count.
Parents often stopped in for ice cream after picking up their kids from the old K-1 school nearby; sometimes teachers brought whole classes by as well.
Several generations of children remember Leighty as the town's Mr. Rogers; they and some former employees are planning a going away party later this month.
Leightly's own two children are now living in New Mexico.
(The current building at 302 De La Mare is on the historic registry; constructed in 1910, it was a residence for members of one of the city's founding families, the Browns.)
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| 302 De La Mare today |
FIRST COFFEE SHOP OF MODERN ERA
Gene Leighty owner/operator of the popular coffee/ice cream shop on De La Mare Avenue announced he is retiring in July, selling his business to a Spanish Fort couple.
He moved to Fairhope from Florida with his family and opened in a small store on Church Street (outdoor seating only) in 1990, moved to a bigger space two doors down later in the decade, and then to the present location in 2001.
 |
| Original Church St. location |
In the early 90's, his was the only stand-alone coffee shop in town until the 'Coffee Loft' and 'Latte Da' opened several years later; now there are at least seven at last count.
Parents often stopped in for ice cream after picking up their kids from the old K-1 school nearby; sometimes teachers brought whole classes by as well.
Several generations of children remember Leighty as the town's Mr. Rogers; they and some former employees are planning a going away party later this month.
Leightly's own two children are now living in New Mexico.
(The current building at 302 De La Mare is on the historic registry; constructed in 1910, it was a residence for members of one of the city's founding families, the Browns.)
 |
| Second Church Street location |
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