WALLINGFORD — After some delays in receiving construction materials, Green Kettle Coffee plans to open on Thursday and will hold its grand opening on Friday ahead of the town’s Holiday Stroll. 

Owner Kristen Gilbride loves coffee and wanted to open up her own shop that included the various aspects of a coffee shop that she has learned to love over the years. 

“I definitely just wanted it to be fun and a place where you can do different things,” Gilbride said. “You can come here and maybe do work or come here with a friend and or even on a date or a group of people. I always go to coffee shops for different things and when I was a student, it was always to study and now to do work.” 

Gilbride is from New Jersey but decided to move to Wallingford after her sister got a job in the area during the height of the pandemic. Gilbride chose 208 Center St. for her shop due to its affordability. 

“It felt right,” Gilbride said. 

The home of Green Kettle Coffee used to be John Kovacs Insurance Agency until the owner retired during the pandemic. The space is now divided into two storefronts, with Green Kettle Coffee being 1,000 square feet. 

Gilbride hired experienced baristas and will be holding training sessions leading up to the opening. 

“They are all amazing and they have so much experience,” Gilbride said. “They are really friendly and I feel super grateful that they even wanted to work here.” 

Green Kettle Coffee will offer espresso-based drinks, coffee drinks, cold brew, teas and hot chocolate. Gilbride said she will also offer pastries from local bakeries. The coffee beans are locally roasted, with them being from Victus Coffee, which is based in West Hartford. 

Liz Davis, executive director of Wallingford Center Inc., is happy that there is going to be another coffee shop in downtown Wallingford.

“Having multiple coffee shops is great,” Davis said. “Then you get a flavor for several different kinds, which is really good. Because each one of them does their own blend, so it’s great.”

On Friday, Gilbride said Green Kettle Coffee will be open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the Holiday Stroll. At the stroll, she will be offering her seasonal flavors, which include autumn chai, pumpkin spice latte, gingerbread latte, hot chocolate and more.  

“The Holiday Stroll is a great time for people to come and enjoy our coffee and our drinks,” Gilbride said. 

jsimms@record-journal.com203-317-2279Twitter: @jessica_simms99