Windsor couple looks for next ‘House of Hugs’ owner
Windsor — The fragrance of lotions and soap in the front of the store easily draws a customer in.
As you walk a few steps farther, you can’t help but notice the hardwood floors and the original red brick on the west side of the wall. By the time you get to the middle of the store, the soothing music, the sounds of laughter and the aroma of coffee and fudge reel in just about everyone.
Pam Lake said it best when describing the House of Windsor Coffee and Gift Shop, 430 Main St.
“It’s kind of like leaving home and coming home,” said Lake, a Windsor resident who volunteers her time working at the shop. “It’s a very comfortable and very nurturing environment. It’s kind of a gathering place.”
Call it the House of Love or the House of Hugs.
The fresh fragrances and soft music might be coming to an end at the coffeehouse that customers call home. Owners Jan and Jerry Steele, who moved to Windsor from Elizabeth about six months before opening up the Main Street business on Dec. 16, 2006, have put the coffee/gift shop and building up for sale.
Jan, 59, was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas and recently had surgery, which will be followed by radiation treatments. While the business will remain open, dealing with health issues and trying to run a coffeehouse and gift shop will be too much for the Steeles.
“The most amazing thing is I have cried more tears of joy than of sorrow because of the people and how they’re responding around here,” Jan said. “There is an incredible group of friends that we have met since we opened this place. When you have people volunteering to work for you, keeping the store open and then thanking you for the opportunity to help, it’s like nothing we have ever experienced in our lives.” Read complete article.
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