Manchester's Silk City Coffee Makes 'World' Bulletin Board

MANCHESTER, CT — A coffee shop on Main Street in Manchester, known not only for its brews, but a community needs board, is now on a worldwide bulletin board.

Silk City Coffee, located at 763 Main St., has been named to the inaugural World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list, revealed at Coffee Fest in Madrid, Spain over the Presidents Day weekend.

Among the 100 coffee shops recognized globally, 14 are located in the United States. Silk City sits at No. 67.

The ranking has been creating quite the buzz this week.

"The town of Manchester congratulates Silk City Coffee for putting our community on the global stage and showcasing the excellence of our local businesses," Mayor Jay Moran said. "This achievement highlights the economic and cultural vitality that makes Manchester a great place to live, work, and visit."

The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list is based on criteria that includes coffee quality, barista expertise, customer service, innovation, ambience, sustainability practices, food and pastry quality, and overall consistency. A combination of expert evaluation and public voting determined the final selections, with industry professionals applying rigorous Specialty Coffee Association standards and the public recognizing the community impact of each cafe.

Silk City's impact includes not only coffee, but the needs board through which residents can find jobs, babysitters, join groups and sell stuff.

"Congratulations to Silk City Coffee for being named one of the top 100 coffee shops in the world," Manchester Town Manager Steve Stephanou said. "Your dedication to brewing excellence and fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere truly sets you apart and is one of many factors contributing to the continued revitalization of Downtown Manchester.”

Silk City co-owner Tammy Gerhard took her usual modest approach to the award. She said a customer had nominated the shop.

"We're honored people saw us in that caliber. We credit this distinction to our amazing staff who lead the charge in providing both an excellent product and outstanding hospitality to our customers every day,” she said."We could not be more honored to have received this prestigious award and value what it communicates to the world about the quality of coffee culture in Connecticut."

Added local officials, "Silk City Coffee has long been a local favorite, known for its exceptional coffee, warm and welcoming atmosphere, and dedication to community engagement. The town of Manchester recognizes and appreciates the invaluable contributions of local businesses like Silk City Coffee in fostering a vibrant and connected community. This international recognition underscores what Manchester residents have known for years—Silk City Coffee is a true gem, not just for its expertly crafted coffee but for its role as a gathering place that brings people together."