Uncle Nancy’s ownership changing, customers shouldn’t see big differences

Patrons have long enjoyed the ambiance of Uncle Nancy’s Coffeehouse and Eatery — from the faux bricks painted on the interior walls and the inviting, bright colored sofas, to the distinct smell of fresh ground coffee beans just begging to be sipped as a strong cappuccino or steaming latte.

Ten years after its introduction to Newton’s caffeine connoisseurs, the small coffeehouse, located at 114 N. Second Ave. W., is changing ownership.

Julie and Reggie Hodge of Newton approached current owner Nancy Watt after discovering the shop was up for sale. Watt said several factors played into her decision to sell, including the recent passing of her husband, Bill, earlier this summer. The couple had previously talked about selling their coffeehouse and pursuing other ventures.

“I wrestled with it and just decided to do it,” Watt said. “And Julie and Reggie have just had a passion that I haven’t seen in anyone.”

A total of four people were interested in buying Uncle Nancy’s.

The Hodges said they feel incredibly lucky to become the new owners of the iconic Newton coffeehouse.

“It’s a dream come true,” Julie said, with Reggie quickly seconding his wife’s sentiments.

“We’ve talked about it (owning their own business) for years, but never had the option. When Nancy approached us, like Julie said, it was a dream come true,” he said.

Uncle Nancy’s occupied a different Newton location in the 200 block of First Avenue for the first two years of its existence. Watt didn’t have a kitchen and instead got customers’ orders ready on a three-foot-square makeshift tabletop her husband made. Plus, “it wasn’t handicapped-accessible and the parking was horrendous,” she said. Moving the business to its current location on the square offered ample parking and a fully-equipped kitchen.

Business has only picked up through the last decade for Uncle Nancy’s. During election years, the Iowa caucuses roll into town, bringing a slew of politicians and media folks in need of the energy and caffeine fix that only coffee can provide.

NBC’s Brian Williams even enjoys the small-town coffeehouse. On a previous visit to Newton, he commented to Watt that she “made the best mochas and if he lived here, his favorite spot would be at the little table by the window and he would come in every day and watch the town wake up and people go by.”

Those people Williams spoke of are what make the establishment continue to thrive each year.

“I’m really proud that Newton has supported an independent coffeehouse,” Watt said. “Independent coffeehouses are becoming rare, so I’m very proud of the community.”

With larger corporations continually coming into towns and crushing Mom ‘n’ Pop businesses, it’s no wonder Watt is proud her coffeehouse has survived the advent of such places as Starbucks and Caribou. But, what makes an independent coffeehouse like Uncle Nancy’s better than a chain?

“Uniqueness — you’re not a rubber stamp,” Watt said. “But more important than that, you get a true concern for the customer because you are small, so that customer is very important and you want them to come back.”

Kaci Hodge, daughter of Julie and Reggie, said the best part about Uncle Nancy’s is Watt’s knack for always remembering her customers’ orders.

“I could go in and order for my grandma and say, ‘Sharon wants her usual,’ and she’ll know exactly what I’m talking about,” Kaci said.

Both Watt and the Hodges emphasize that, even though the coffeehouse is changing ownership, customers shouldn’t notice much of a difference in the service or quality of the product.

“If there’s any changes that are going to be made, they’re going to be positive,” Julie said. “For now, (customers will get) the same that they’re used to.”

Which means dropping by to sit, sip and relax with friends.

A grand opening, complete with specials, is in the works for a possible date of Oct. 1. Julie also noted she’d like to have a ribbon cutting ceremony “when I feel like I’ve gotten my feet wet a little bit.”