Coming soon: Gilbert's Coffee Bar ready to open second location in different city

What's the name of the new restaurant in Port Salerno?

Gilbert's Coffee Bar

Where is Gilbert's Coffee Bar?

4969 S.E. Dixie Highway, Port Salerno, in Manatee Pocket; previously a tattoo parlor, a lawyer's office, a barber shop and a paddleboard shop

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Who owns Gilbert's Coffee Bar?

Abigail Rogan, who is opening a second location for Gilbert's Coffee Bar, opened her first coffee bar in August 2018 at Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage in Stuart. Her husband, Brendan, a former history teacher, suggested paying homage to their favorite local spot, the historic House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar, where they got married.

Rogan, who was born in upstate New York, grew up surrounded by the hospitality business. Her dad managed country clubs, and her mom was a cook. When she was 15 years old, Rogan moved to Martin County and got a job at Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Stuart and then worked at the former C.R. Chicks in Stuart.

In 2006, she got her first barista job at Starbucks in Jensen Beach. During the next three and a half years, she was promoted to shift manger and helped open a couple stores. She fell in love with the process of serving coffee and connecting with people.

She then moved to Seattle, but came back after nine months, just in time for the opening of the coffee bar Blue Door in Stuart in 2011. She got hired and worked there for six years — her last year split between there and Carsons Tavern as a part-time manager. She became full-time at Carsons in May 2017.

During that time, one of her regulars, who happened to own Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage, had the idea for her to open a coffee shop there. She opened Gilbert’s Coffee Bar in the marina’s former store.

Why did Gilbert's Coffee Bar open another location?

Rogan has been working on a second location in Port Salerno since 2019. Many of her regulars from Salerno, Rocky Point and the surrounding area have been wanting her to open a coffee shop in their neck of the woods, she said. It will be about 30% larger than the first location with a lot of outdoor seating for customers enjoy the views of Manatee Pocket .

"We have always wanted to grow to other parts of our community," Rogan said, "particularly in places like Salerno, where no coffee community exists."

The building, constructed in 1960, was home to a sportfishing dock owned by Capt. Bennie Shipp , who ran charters on his boat, the VicKar. The Rogans have been working for the last 10 months on renovating the space without changing the look and feel of the existing mid-century building. They've restored the original terrazzo floors and knocked down some walls to create a covered side patio. He's been curating some historical elements that will pay homage to the maritime history of Port Salerno.

"Port Salerno is a community that has been tied to the sea since the turn of the 20th century and has been ardent in preserving its history," Rogan said. "Both are factors that fit into our brand, so Brendan and I felt that Port Salerno was an ideal location for us."

What's on the Gilbert's Coffee Bar menu?

The menu at the Port Salerno location will be the same as the Stuart location: coffee from Wells Coffee in Fort Lauderdale, tea from JoJo Tea in Miami, specialty toasts served on sourdough bread from Bread by Johnny in Jupiter, baked goods from MoeMuffins in Stuart) and independent craft beer and wine. The second location also will have seasonal specials and surprise offers from local businesses.

When will Gilbert's Coffee Bar open?

Mid-August 2024

What are Gilbert's Coffee Bar's hours?

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (These Stuart hours could be different at the new Port Salerno location)

What are Gilbert's Coffee Bar's phone number, website and social media?

772-214-1522, website , Facebook , Instagram

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com . Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Coming soon: Gilbert's Coffee Bar ready to open second location in different city