09/03/2023
When I shut down the espresso machine for the last time as Ladle & Blade this afternoon, I have to admit to a momentary sense of sadness. But the little love fest I've experienced from you, my friends, the last few weeks since I made the announcement we were closing, reminded me why Monica & I started this business back in 2017. It wasn't for money (God has blessed us with everything we need) and it wasn't out of boredom or a lack of other projects crying for our attention. Quite simply, we wanted to create something that we thought would add something of value to Amherst. A place where you could get an excellent cup of coffee and relax for a bit, where you were called by name and were greeted by the same smiling faces whenever you came in. We wanted Ladle & Blade to be woven into the fabric of Amherst. We believe in this town or, rather we believe in the people of this town. The sheer kindness and selflessness of so many of our customers far outweighs the occasional crank that wandered through the door. Most of you got what we were trying to create and those that didn't still got an excellent cup of coffee and a smile.
So if you've stayed with my meanderings to this point, I want to share some news. I've had a few people approach me about the possibility of purchasing Ladle & Blade since I announced our closing and I want to thank those that did (you know who you are). We've decided to sell Ladle & Blade to someone who definitely 'gets' us and what we were trying to create, someone who believes in Amherst and its people as much as we do. Angela Sundaramurthy and her Hangout on Main is purchasing Ladle & Blade and will be folding operations into her facility on Main St just up the block. I'll be working with her and her employees to help set up the equipment, secure suppliers and train her people on how to make the perfect cup of joe. Angela is planning on commencing coffee operations around the first of October so stay tuned as there are a lot of details we'll be sharing via social media. I'm excited to work with Angela and her folks and who knows, you might even find me behind the counter pulling shots and cracking wise for a bit as they come up to speed.
I think I speak for Monica, Carrie & Teresa when I say, thanks for making our lives richer.
Carl Jackson
