Owner Spotlight: The Celtic Coffee House

Company Name: The Celtic Coffee House

Location: 42 North Water Street & 49 State Pier (located in the Fast Ferry Terminal), New Bedford, MA.

Hours of Operation:
Mon – Sat: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm. Sun: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Payment Options:
Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover

Owner Full Name: Philip Dwane

What made you decide to open a coffee house in downtown New Bedford?

Philip: I originally came to New Bedford in 2004, when I bought a house on James St. with a partner as a rehab project. That’s when I started to realize the potential that New Bedford had.  I saw that it was really headed in the right direction. One thing I did notice is that at the lower end of Union street there was a need for a comfortable, home-like and friendly space, where people of the community could gather and do whatever they pleased. So I invested in the building that is now The Celtic and started work on what I had envisioned.

Would you briefly describe some of the history behind the building?

The building was originally built in 1825 and was home to the businesses of Fredrick Bryant and Lysander Washburn.  A lot of the original detail was still in the building when we purchased it, so during renovation we saved as much of the old wood floors and beams as possible. We then recycled them and have incorporated them into the current interior design of The Celtic.

What differentiates The Celtic from other coffee shops?

I think that in many ways we offer something different to our customers because we have a unique blend of New Bedford’s history and the Celtic culture. These two factors, coupled with the hospitality we try to offer everyone that walks in the door, really sets us apart from other coffee shops.

What did your daily grind consist of in the pre-Celtic days?

My work before The Celtic hasn’t changed too much from what I do now. I am still actively involved in restoring historic buildings in the area as well as renovating new buildings. My son, Ryan, handles most of the day-to-day operation of The Celtic, which allows me to continue my work restoring buildings. I actually received The Sarah R. Delano Preservation Award for my work on this building, which I am very proud of.

As a coffee connoisseur, what are some of your favorite caffeinated concoctions?

I’m a pretty simple coffee drinker.  In the morning I normally have a cup of the Aurora, which is our light roast.  Then I have a Barry’s Irish Breakfast Tea towards noon, and a latte in the afternoon.

What does 2011 have in store for The Celtic Coffee House?

We are currently in the process of installing a full kitchen in our second location inside the Fast Ferry terminal. Last summer we did pastries and cold sandwiches at our main location and brought them down to the terminal daily, this year we will be making hot sandwiches by order as well as introducing ice cream. We also hope that we can continue to serve the Southeastern Massachusetts community with our hospitable service, delicious food, and inviting atmosphere, not only for 2011, but for many years to come.

Regardless of whether you’ve come to Celtic to read a book, do some homework, have a meeting, or just to enjoy one of their meals, the staff at Celtic want you to feel as comfortable as possible. You can stay as long as you’d like; don’t be chai!

Stop by The Celtic and be a part of their week-long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, beginning March 10th and running through the 17th.  Below is a list of activities planned for the week:

Thursday, March 10th (AHA! Night)
Aiofe Clancy, daughter of Bobby Clancy (of the renowned Clancy brothers), performing 2 sets, the first at 5:45pm and the second at 6:30pm.

Friday, March 11th
Shepard’s Pie and a roll: $9.95

Saturday, March 12th
Bangers and Mash: $9.95

Sunday, March 13th
Free travel mug with any purchase of $10 or more.

Monday, March 14th
Corned Beef Omelet (served until 11:30am): $7.95

Tuesday, March 15th
Irish Bacon Burger and Fries: $9.95

Wednesday, March 16th
Fish and Chips: $9.95

Thursday, March 17th (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!)
Corned Beef Dinner: $10.95

Visit celticcoffeehouse.com for more details!