Court Street Coffee finds new home and partnership in Seguin Main Photo
The aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans now welcomes visitors to The Aumont, a landmark building in Seguin, as Court Street Coffee Shop settles into its new home. Hope and JD Rogers, affectionately known as the “coffee gurus” by owner Heather Felty, are at the heart of the operation, expertly handling the espresso machine and serving a steady stream of customers.
This move marks not just a change of address, but a significant step in the evolution of Court Street Coffee, aligning with the historical essence of The Aumont, located at 301 N. Austin St. Felty expressed her enthusiasm for the new location, stating, “This building is amazing, the architecture, the history. The funny thing is where the bar is today, that was a coffee shop. It was known for being and advertised as air-conditioned. One of the things is we are really bringing the coffee shop home. This is where it kind of started. This was the original coffee shop in town. We’re kind of bringing it back home; we’re bringing that feel here for people to come and sit down.” This relocation is more than just a move; it’s a homecoming for the coffee shop concept within Seguin’s historical fabric.
The partnership between Felty and Greg and Amy Woodall, the owners of The Aumont Apartments and Offices, was cultivated over two years. While the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns weren’t the sole reason for the move, they acted as a catalyst, accelerating the process. Greg Woodall explained, “With COVID, all of the negatives aside, the positive was the push to bring this together. Failure wasn’t an option,” Greg said. “Having said that, this was a natural fit because Heather can run her business during the daytime, and we can continue to run our business during the evening.” This synergy allows both Court Street Coffee and the 1916 Bar and Bistro, also located in The Aumont, to thrive by complementing each other’s operational hours.
Initially, both Court Street Coffee Shop and 1916 Bar and Bistro faced operational challenges. The pandemic-induced shutdown forced both to close temporarily. Although they managed to reopen at limited capacity, the bar and bistro eventually had to close again, making it increasingly difficult for Court Street Coffee to sustain itself in its previous location. Felty recounted the discussions with Greg Woodall that led to the partnership, “In chatting with Greg, we were both struggling, especially with him being a bar and not being able to open,” she said. “He just started talking about coming together during this time.” This conversation sparked the idea of co-locating, leading to a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Heather Felty took ownership of Court Street Coffee Shop in 2018 from Mary Jo Langford, committed to preserving the community-centric atmosphere Langford had established. “She wanted to sell, I sure did not want somebody to change the beautiful coffee shop she built and the beautiful community environment, that she built,” Felty said. “I always wanted to enhance what she had with the arts and the home feel. One of our great customers named us ‘Seguin’s Living Room,’ and it really feels like that.” Felty’s vision was to build upon this foundation, enhancing the shop’s artistic and welcoming ambiance.
Despite her attachment to the previous location, Felty recognized the immense potential of The Aumont. “It is great because this place has everything. I’ve made this my one-stop-shop,” she said, highlighting the convenience of having her office within the same building, on the top floor. The move has streamlined her operations and integrated her work and business within a single, vibrant location.
The Aumont’s fully equipped kitchen presents exciting opportunities for Court Street Coffee to broaden its menu. With Kevin Chesworth, 1916 Bar & Bistro’s kitchen manager, sharing his expertise, Felty anticipates introducing crossover menu items for lunch and expanding the coffee shop’s catering services. Greg Woodall mentioned that the kitchen was a strategic addition to enhance the evening offerings at The Aumont, with plans to eventually establish the bistro as a full-fledged evening restaurant. The Woodalls have already initiated the process by petitioning the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to reclassify 1916 Bar & Bistro as a restaurant, signaling a significant upgrade in their dining services.
The new location at The Aumont also boasts ample seating options. Customers can enjoy their coffee in various inviting spaces, including The Aumont’s lobby, the Rose Room, the mezzanine, and both the outdoor and front porch patios. Felty emphasized the importance of the atmosphere, “We have amazing coffee, but we’re the place where people want to come and sit down,” Felty said. “During the pandemic, this is awesome because there is so much space. It allows us to give people the space they need; it allows for the flow, and the feel we had before.” The spacious setting ensures customer comfort and aligns perfectly with the current need for social distancing.
Looking ahead, Felty and the Woodalls are optimistic about the synergy between their businesses. “Once we get the bar open and going, we’re really excited about that,” Felty said. “We have a shared kitchen, a shared environment, and the goal is to become the full dinning, the full package. That’s what we want to be; we want to be the spot in Seguin, especially in the downtown.” Their vision is to establish The Aumont as a premier destination in Seguin, offering a comprehensive dining and social experience.
Beyond the coffee shop and bistro, The Aumont also houses apartments and office spaces, creating a lively ecosystem within the historic building. Amy Woodall noted, “It needed something more,” Amy said. “This building should be part of the community. It is such a historic building, and everybody should be able to use it in some way and appreciate it in some way. I think anything that can bring people into where they can socialize and enjoy the building is just better for everybody.” The inclusion of Court Street Coffee is a pivotal step in making The Aumont a central community hub.
Greg Woodall has observed a significant transformation in The Aumont’s atmosphere. “I spend most of my days here, and it would be dead,” he said. “Now, what I love about it, there is a constant trickle coming in now. People are seeing the building for the first time because they’re not a drinker, but now they’re coming in to get coffee or a pastry. This just makes this building more alive.” The presence of Court Street Coffee has infused new energy and vibrancy into the historic building, attracting a broader segment of the community.
While a name change for Court Street Coffee is a future possibility, for now, Felty invites everyone to experience the “Aumont Experience.”
Felicia Frazar, Managing Editor of the Seguin Gazette, contributed to this article.
