09/02/2022
When I was 15 I wore fishnets and too much eyeliner and watched Pretty in Pink, Singles, and Reality Bites over and over again. Movies like these informed the vision of what my future could possibly look like. The star in Pretty in Pink, to me, was not Molly Ringwald, but Annie Potts. She played the record store owner, Iona, who was excessively fashionable and cool and employed Andie (Molly Ringwald). She was also a friend and role model. I wanted to be Iona when I grew up. Singles and Reality Bites gave me a glimpse into 90’s music and café culture that wasn’t accessible to me in the small town in New Hampshire I grew up in. I was obsessed. I dreamed of café life.
In 2008 when I was 28, Danny Berry, Adam Clark, Anna Clark and I opened Adelle’s Coffeehouse in Dover, NH. Without immediately realizing it I was getting an opportunity to realize my childhood dream of becoming Iona and own and manage a coffee house. Over the years Adelle’s became known for great drinks and food, a hip, fun atmosphere, the best soundtrack, and of course ALWAYS the best staff. I am such a proud mama.
Now, 14 years after opening, Adelle’s is turning over a new leaf. We have sold the biz to the owners of the coolest coffee shop in Portsmouth, Caffe Kilim (how fitting!). I could not be happier about this outcome. I believe that this new version of Adelle’s will be better and stronger and more solid in the heart of Dover. I cannot express how much I will miss serving you, Dover. But I leave you in good hands.
Over the last 14 years I have employed the most incredible humans on the planet. I can only hope I lived up to the boss I conceptualized Iona to be. I want to thank all of my present and past employees for helping to create and maintain a Seacoast, NH institution. You made Dover vibrate. And I believe you will continue to. ❤️Nova
