Uncommon Grounds
, a coffee shop that opened on Church Street in May 1994, will close by the end of the year, owner Brenda Nadeau told Seven Days.Nadeau, 56, said she plans to retire and shut the business that was founded by her parents, Skip and Beverly Blakely. Over its 25 years on the Marketplace, during which numerous cafés have opened in Burlington, Uncommon Grounds established itself as a downtown hangout. Along with Speeder & Earl’s and Muddy Waters, Uncommon Grounds is among the oldest coffee shops in Burlington.
“I always assumed that when I left, it would continue without me,” Nadeau said. “It doesn’t need me. It’s a good model, it works. I’ve just been the steward of it for a period of time.”
Nadeau purchased the café from her parents 11 years ago, after a career as a high school band director and a decade spent raising her three children. None of her grown children are interested in taking over the business, Nadeau said, and she’s ready to retire.
Uncommon Grounds, which roasts its own beans, is equipped with a coffee roaster by its storefront window, indoor seating for about 40 people, and outdoor tables that fill up in warm weather. The coffee shop boasts a simple design: a set of tables on the north side and a service counter for coffee, espresso drinks and tea along the opposite wall. It’s not uncommon, at Uncommon Grounds, for the beverage line to reach the door.
Uncommon Grounds pours its to-go orders into green paper cups adorned with a steaming cup of coffee. It serves pastries and baked goods from a number of local bakeries, including Red House Sweets in St. Albans, and Barrio Bakery and Jones the Boy in Burlington.
Church Street has been a great location for her café, Nadeau said, but she added that “the hole in the ground and Macy’s leaving has definitely been challenging.” In particular, she said, the demolition of the downtown mall has affected foot traffic.
The coffee shop employs 14 people, said Nadeau, noting that it was important to her to give her staff several months notice of the closing. “It gives them a chance to have options, as opposed to being forced to take the first thing,” she said.
In her retirement, Nadeau plans to spend time with her husband, read good books and take walks in the woods. “I plan to not do anything with computers,” she said. “That’s my No. 1 goal in life.”
Though Nadeau owns the Burlington shop, she does not own its name. The moniker Uncommon Grounds is owned by her sister and brother-in-law, Marsha and Dan Murphy, who own three cafés by that name in upstate New York, Nadeau said.
In coincidental timing, a new café is coming to the Church Street Marketplace in early 2020. Renovation is underway at 2 Church Street, where Kru Coffee will open early next year, said co-owner Kyle Brock. He’ll own the business with his wife, Kristi Brock, and brother-in-law Ryan Miller.
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Quite a shame to just close up one of the best spots in Burlington. Was there any discussion with the staff about the potential for employee ownership?
This place was a huge part of my teen years and I still make sure to visit there every time I come back to VT. Its the perfect place to have good coffee, good food, and good conversation. I cant stand the thought of downtown without Uncommon!
along with Muddy Waters it was a welcomed oasis away from the Starbuck society we have been thrust into, and anyone can use the bathroom ( yes, a dig).
It’s sad. I’ve come to respect this business for employing so many queer and trans community members.
Uncommon was the main source of burlap bags for Burlington bee-keepers – one of the best materials for bee-smokers. Hopefully other coffee shop owners will make them available if they are aware of the need. Thanks, Uncommon for giving safe community space for so many kids’ homework and adult professional and civic meetings.
Bummer. This was the best spot in town to grab a cup of Joe, see some art, and meet some interesting people.
One click on the Kru coffee webpage link in the article sends you to the most pretentious marketing blather… Uncommon Grounds will be missed for its no nonsense approach… Burlington is changing… and not for the better…
As a Montrealer coming often in Burlington, it was my favorite place to stop and take some time to relax.
I would like to know if the ownership has been offered to employees, or perhaps somebody else who would be willing to run it as it is now. Why close up shop?
“Church Street has been a great location for her caf, Nadeau said, but she added that the hole in the ground and Macys leaving has definitely been challenging. In particular, she said, the demolition of the downtown mall has affected foot traffic. ”
Yep.
Seems like it has value and should be sold. Why just close up?
Since no one in her family wants to take it over, I truly hope she can offer a deal to her employees – it’d make a great co-op enterprise. It is well-loved and much needed. I hope someone buys it – someone honest and forthright. Starbucks may be a big international success, but none of their franchises is as good as Uncommon Grounds. Here’s hoping!
No mention of the catalyst here – HUGE – like triple rent hike by the building owner – thus no one wants to buy the business – ask the building owner what the plans are!!
In 1995 I had my first cup of coffee from Uncommon Grounds when the B-Side staff took me there on break from my first summer job and I will never forget that taste.
How is an employee coop NOT on the radar? Granted, its a relatively short article, but the reporters didnt even ask the owner about a coop? Didnt ask if siblings would buy it? Its not like theyd need to manage it! It really bothers me when businesses dont account for their own role in the community, especially when its a positive one! Good stuff is hard to make and bad replacements are all too easy
Finally. That coffee is terrible and burned.
You can go to Onyx Tonics on College Street to get a good coffee fix (that isn’t pretentious). I don’t get to be in Burlington often, but they are always good (and you can buy the beans to brew at home too). Also, its locally owned, not an out of state chain.
My husband and I frequented Uncommon Grounds in the time we lived in Essex Jct…and South Burlington…. We are heartbroken to hear of the closing soon to take place. Our children are saddened as well… We have taken our grandchildren there… It’s an end to a very special place in the community. We wish Brenda and the entire family a good retirement…. We now live 300 + miles away now…. Our fondness for this entire family remains….