Connecticut Coffee Shop Voted One of the Best in the World Being Forced to Shut Down – Asks for Public Help

This is a pretty crazy story. I love local businesses and I love local coffee shops. They're actually one of my favorite things to go to. I stumbled upon this story and was actually shocked to see what was going on.

Middletown Coffee Shop is Being Forced to Shut Down

Story and Soil is a local coffee shop that is located inside the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore. It has been a popular spot for over the past 4 years. They were also voted as #88 in World's Best Coffee Shops. It is a staple to the students on the campus, as well. They posted to their Instagram explaining that they are being forced to close their Middletown location.

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The following video was posted on their Instagram. They talked about being "shocked, confused, sad and upset" after weeks of weird rumors and that it was confirmed they were out in June.

I never like seeing things like this happen to small businesses. Many people went into the comments talking about how much they loved the coffee shop and how many students spent a lot of time in there studying for different tests.

They posted that they were starting a GoFundMe to help with their transition and to help their employees at the Middletown location find new employment as well as pay off the last of their business loan. On their GoFundMe, it tells the story of events of how this went down. Students were approaching baristas concerned that they were leaving campus, even though the coffee shop had not heard that. On May 1, they received an official letter terminating their agreement with no explanation.

The coffee shop is now facing uncertainty as to what's next and is asking the public for some help. It makes me so sad to see situations like this unfold. I've been to that bookstore and coffee shop before and had such a great experience. I can only hope something gets figured out for them and I'll be sure to update if any more of the story unfolds.