CLM Fall 2018

VERY CULINARY
TEXT BY HEIDI BILLOTTO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERIN CHOINIERE
Start your weekend with Good Cup Coffee Co.
Nothing like starting the morning off with a fresh
made cup-o-joe. Why, I have friends that go to bed
dreaming of that first sip of that first cup in the
morning. The pleasure is more than doubled when
that first sip is combined with an early morning
shopping trip to a local Saturday morning farmers’
market. Drink Local, Shop Local don’t you know!
With the smell of fresh perked or poured over
coffee in the air, next time you find yourself on a
Saturday morning at the Matthews Community
Farmers Market, do start your trip with a short
wait in the cue at Good Cup Coffee Co..
The stand was originally opened by Benjamin
Koenigsberg, son of Sammy and Melinda
Koenigsberg, long time farmers at New Town
Farms and front runners of the team at the
Matthews Market. The idea was to just be able to
get a good cup of coffee at the market, and that is
exactly what Benjamin and his team provided.
Customers loved it, among them, Debbie Chopas,
who always came up asking what was new. Her
enthusiasm was contagious, so when Benjamin
decided to sell his concept, Debbie and her husband,
Joshua were his first call.
For them the business has become a family
affair with LuLu, the youngest barista in the family
(only because her younger brother Titus isn’t really
walking and talking yet), offering a spin on her
own original libation as well.
The Chopas family has taken the original concept
of a good cup of coffee and raised the bar with
syrups from local botanicals, local honey, local
herbs and edible flowers added to the mix of cold
and hot offerings on the menu. Their goal – to
offer a refined coffee experience in a fun casual
atmosphere.
The market is nothing if not that, and to add to
the fun, Joshua and Debbie have recently pur-
chased a 1972 VW camper that they are refurbishing
to use as a portable coffee house on
wheels, so they can serve at events, festivals
and even private parties around town. Look
for them at the Windcrest Farms Ginger Fest
on October 7, 2018 or call to book them if you’d
like to offer a fun coffee bar at your next party
of event.
This summer drinks like a coffee affogato
with local gelato, honey and edible blossoms,
called the Sammy (after Sammy Koenigsberg),
took the market crowd by storm; and a coffee
granitee, called Big Poppy, made with with local
Uno Alla Volta ricotta wowed the crowds with
its cool crunchy texture and rich creamy finish.
This fall look for equally creative flavor combinations
with local ginger, figs, spice, and I am
sure pumpkin and winter squash to warm up
the chilliest of seasonal Saturday mornings.
Debbie is also working on an interesting recipe
for tonic with homemade almond or cashew
milk and activated charcoal. These hand crafted
brews, lattes and fun coffee concoctions are a
truly wonderful way to Drink Local. ■
66 | CHARLOTTE LIVING