All those experiences have culminated into Damn Fine Coffee and Fried Pies, Jarnagin said. The idea for the restaurant and coffee shop combo began eight years ago when he and his wife, Diane Gow, were visiting Coos Bay, Oregon.
The couple came across an old Victorian house on the bay that included a small restaurant and patio. Jarnagin told Gow it would be spectacular if they could own something like that, he said.
“When we saw this property, I realized this property was that,” Jon said. “We had the opportunity to actually do that.”
When the couple moved to Seabrook, they did not immediately jump into launching Damn Fine Coffee. For 2 1/2 years, they sold their coffee at local farmers markets, he said. When they decided to march forward with their vision, they encountered obstacles with COVID-19 and permitting issues.
Once Damn Fine Coffee opened in July 2020, Jarnagin was able to make his and his wife’s vision into reality. While the coffee is what anchored the business, Jarnagin has slowly been able to expand the offerings at Damn Fine Coffee, which now include alcohol after the business was issued a liquor license Sept. 3.
“I’ve learned to never make plans,” he said. “Don’t be married to anything, and stay as fluid as possible because what you think people are going to want is not always what people are going to want.”
In addition to more than 25 drink options, Damn Fine Coffee also offers an expanded food menu that includes various types of sweet and savory pies, scones and gelato.
“We want people to come out and give it a try,” Jarnagin said. “It is something different. It is unique, and there is no place like this anywhere else in the world. This is the only one.”
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