Smithtown by the Sound
By Nancy Vallarella
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea West Main is currently open for business and will hold its Grand Opening - November 9th
Calculated analytics or kismet? Either way, it is a bold move for three healthcare 
career individuals (pharmacy owners, pharmacist, and pharmacy technician) to abandon their legacy career paths and open multiple Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea locations on Long Island. The first one will be right here in Smithtown.
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Owner and Director of Operations, Jeff Wong, cites many key characteristics for choosing Smithtown as their first location, “Traffic patterns, and credit card usage are common considerations. Smithtown rose to the top with the plans for transit-oriented development (The Lofts at Maple and Main), the large school district, and positive momentum for a growing small-business district. Then there is the destiny factor…The Nissequogue Indians called the area Hauppauge, meaning “the land of sweet water” as in the headwaters of the Nissequogue River.”
More likely, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea West Main owners Lou Puleo, Chris Varvaro, and Jeff Wong are hedging their bet by choosing a franchise that has been successfully operating throughout the US since 2004. Founders Wei and Lisa Bee opened the first Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1993. The founding couple continues to actively participate in 26 franchises throughout the country when they aren’t scouring the globe researching and tasting the next coffee, tea, or menu item to serve at Sweetwaters locations.
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There is a “real ingredient” focus at Sweetwaters. Some menu items are luxurious, but all are selected for their quality. Jeff Wong states,” We will not offer coconut milk. In its natural state, coconut milk does not mix well with coffee without questionable additives. Menu items are carefully curated. Sweetwaters Ice Dragons are “perfectly blended frozen luxuries.” Ice Dragon menu option, Strawberry Bliss, is an ingredient beverage made with fresh strawberries, yogurt, milk, sweet cream, and ice. The real ingredient policy holds throughout Sweetwaters’ light fair menu. Expect croissants, pastry, and breakfast sandwiches. Over time, local artisan products will be offered.;)
Nov. 2 Family and Friends Charity Event
A convenient drive-thru window is sure to be popular. Tea enthusiasts will be delighted with Sweetwaters teapot service. A catering menu boasts boxes of coffee, tea, and seasonal cider available in multiple varieties along with trays of muffins, pastries, cakes, fruit, and quiches.
Quality and community are hand in hand at Sweetwater. The goal of the franchise is to maintain a warm, welcoming, and inviting environment to work in and gather. As director of operations, Jeff Wong is looking forward to mentoring the young staff. His goal is to train, develop skills and work ethic while offering a comfortable atmosphere to stay beyond work hours to study or meet with friends. It looks as though Jeff is on the right track…
“Sweetwaters immediately showed their commitment to the schools in the area by reaching out to me to join the Smithtown Schools Industry Advisor Board,” said Mary Pat Grafstein, Executive Director of the IAB. As the Work Experience and Internship Coordinator for the Smithtown School District, Mary collaborated with Sweetwaters on their job posting and general information on the café. Students were hired from Smithtown High Schools East and West.
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Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea West Main is located 200 West Main Street, Smithtown.Sweetwaters West Main is working on various community programs and events.
Local art and photography will be exhibited. St. James’ Watermark Galleries will be among the first to show. Students will be motivated with product rewards as part of Sweetwaters’ “Great Grades” Program. On-premise fundraising events are being scheduled. Check social media for other scheduled activities like OPEN MIC NIGHT!
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea West Main is located 200 West Main Street, Smithtown. Just east of The Wine Guy.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea West Main can be found on Facebook at SWWestMain and instagram at WestMainCoffeeAndTea.