Hartford Public Library's Café Officially Closed

HARTFORD, CT — The operators of the café located at the Hartford Public Library's Main Street site officially closed operations this week, citing new endeavors.

Called "Berkins on Main," the café served coffee, tea, and beverages, along with fresh bakery items and sandwiches/soups, and it was popular with guests of the public library.

But on May 22, the owners announced "Berkins on Main" was closing, with the last day being Wednesday, May 28.

The brand was founded in 2015 by Doug Barber and Andréa Hawkins, who opened "Berkins Blend Café" in Glastonbury.

They expanded and added "Berkins on Oak" in Hartford and, in 201, founded "Berkins on Main" at The Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford.

In December 2023, Barber and Hawkins relocated "Berkins on Main" to the Hartford Public Library on Main Street, where it opemed in January 2024 and operated until this week.

In recent years, the duo closed "Berkins on Oak," and the original "Berkins Blend Café" is also closing in Glastonbury.

According to the announcement, Barber, the general manager and co-founder, is retiring while Hawkins will continue as chief executive of a boutique business consulting firm she started in 2019.

“This has been an extraordinary journey,” said Hawkins. “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built and deeply grateful for the community that embraced us over the years.”

In a series of goodbye posts on the brand's Facebook page, the owners thanked all of their customers over the years.

"Thank you for being part of the Berkins story," they wrote. "We're so grateful for the love, support, and unforgettable memories."

No details have been released about the library's future plans with the café location inside.

From Jan. 29, 2024: 'New Cafe Opens At Hartford Library Site'

For more information on 'Berkins' on Main' and the owners' goodbye to the community, click on this link.