We talked to: The Coffee Chat

We had the pleasure of speaking with Karim Iharratane, co-owner of the recently opened The Coffee Chat, which took over the former Mimmo’s space and has been renovated to be a beautiful and welcoming cafe. From old-fashioned Cokes to creative coffee drinks to tasty food you can take to stay or go, we know it’s going to be a go-to favorite downtown.

Could you tell us about how The Coffee Chat came to be?

I’ve had a corporate career in management level IT for years, but always managed to find side gigs in the hospitality industry. I’d always had a double life, so to speak, because I feel more fulfilled by my part-time positions in cafes, restaurants, and bars. The corporate world is all about “me, myself, and I”, and that’s not representative of my personality. It’s great to finally be in a place where I can fully focus on this type of business. I’ve always enjoyed serving people, whether an entire community or a single person. That’s what I think resonates with me about Northampton; it’s all about community here. I really want to contribute and help  uplift this town through the cafe.

If you look up “coffee chat” in the dictionary/online, it’s actually a corporate term. The definition is going out with a boss, superior, or mentor and having a chat over coffee. We took that and wanted to change it so that’s no longer corporate, but instead, for everyone. You can come in with friends and family to catch up, or even chat with a barista.  Someone recently said, “Every time I come here, I learn something new about coffee.” And we have an array of other beverages as well. Our food offerings are cafe style, featuring sandwiches that are wrapped to go.

It was definitely a long and arduous process getting the space to where it’s at now. We were actually supposed to open last June! We had some “should we give up?” moments, but we pushed through and now we’re officially here and open. I also want to add that we are a no tax, no tipping establishment—all part of the experience with us, which is very important to me.

What do you appreciate so far about having a business in downtown Northampton?

I never have a direct answer when people ask me that question. I was driving though and there was something about it that resonated with me. It also has an American-Euro style that I really appreciate. I moved here on a trial basis while renovating the cafe, and I honestly wasn’t used to people being so open and friendly. Someone said, “It’s a small city with a big town vibe.” I also really like being close enough to other cities like Montreal, Boston, and New York so I can still experience those places.

I tend not to think about things too much—I am more apt to go in headfirst. So when I realized I love the vibe here, I just went for it. I’ve met so many people who have come from other places. I think that Northampton truly welcomes outsiders, and this town is like a hub for everyone to come together.

What are some of your current best-selling food/drink items?

So far, our old-fashioned Coke is selling really well. It’s like an old school fountain Coke that you can’t find too many places anymore, other than in Brooklyn at an actual pharmacy. Also, our cold brew is a top seller. For food items, our Tuna Melt and Hammy Sammy are go-tos. I think people are intrigued that the Tuna Melt in general has made a comeback and they’re excited to try it.

We are also offering classics like Chai and a London Fog. Our baristas are creating drinks on the daily, then we’ll put them up as the “talk of the month” beverages. We’re happy to create something new and different, such as a “Milkshake”, combining milk and sweet cream with other flavorings. We like being a concierge style type of place, where we can recommend something new and different to guests and create on the fly.

What’s your current favorite beverage at the cafe?

Currently, it’s between the Honey Latte and Caramel Cold Brew—it just depends on my mood. I’m generally an iced beverage person. For food, I go with the Hammy Sammy, which consists of thick slices of turkey ham, Swiss Cheese, lettuce, and tomato with house sauce on a Brioche bun. The way our barista Bob makes it, it’s basically a burger without the grilling.

What do you do outside of work—do you have a favorite hobby?

I don’t think I’ve had a weekend in a while. Before the cafe opened, cooking was a hobby for me and a way to relax. When I have time, I love going to the farmers’ market to gather ingredients and see what I can create with what I’ve bought.