Over the past year, The Grind has gleamed as one of Rhode Island’s coffee gems. Set up at Crook Point Brewing Company (65 Massasoit Ave., East Providence), the espresso bar opened when baristas Madi Peck and Anthony Gesa set up shop after their former employer, The Bakeshop, shuttered its sun-streamed two-level in Warren. (The closure left Grafik Coffee Co. (2005 E. Main Road, Portsmouth) as the state’s sole cafe with a play nook for children.)
Featuring beans from Enjoy Coffee Roasting (Providence), baked goods from NAVAD Bakers (East Providence), milk from A.B. Munroe Dairy (East Providence), and sandwich supplies from Providence Vegan Deli (Providence), The Grind proved particularly inviting for freelancers and academics with Crook Point’s comfortable couches, high ceilings, ample breathing room, and a soundtrack that rotates through indie-rock deep cuts. But Saturday, September 26 will mark the last day for The Grind, at least with Peck and Gesa at the helm, due to a move.
“The Grind at Crook Point may continue in an entirely different capacity, but it won’t be with us,” Peck and Gesa wrote on Instagram, with two weeks notice in announcing their grand closing.
As for Crook Point, the brewery remains open during regular hours (Wed/Thur: 4 – 9pm, Fri: 4 – 10pm, Sat: noon – 10pm, Sun: noon – 6pm), only without morning coffee service for the foreseeable future — after Peck’s and Gesa’s final hoorahs behind the espresso machine.
Ernie Watson, founder of Crook Point Brewing Company, confirmed the upcoming pause in coffee operations. “We aren’t losing one person, we’re losing our team, so it might take time to reconstitute what we have built,” he said, noting an intention to reopen The Grind with new staff.
“We’re very happy for Anthony and Madison and wish them all the best in their journey,” said Watson. “They’ve helped us get The Grind up and running and have contributed so much to our early success. We’re looking for a couple of good baristas to fill their shoes.”
The Grind at Crook Point Brewing Company (65 Massasoit Ave., East Providence) remains open Wednesdays through Sundays from 8am until 1pm through Saturday, September 26.
