The Farmhouse Café in Greenville has opened to rave reviews
GREENVILLE — I’m always filled with wonder when I hit the view atop Indian Hill before heading down into the village of Greenville. It catches my breath, anytime of year and especially after a long drive. Moosehead Lake stretches out to the horizon, cradled by ridges and mountains and overarched by an ever-changing sky.
To the left sits an iconic white farmhouse, with a beckoning wraparound porch. Aptly, it’s home to the Farmhouse Café, owned and operated by Laurie Muzzy, with “weekend” assistance from her husband Luke.
This place is special to any who have driven by or stopped in over the years. Luke’s great grandfather purchased the farm in 1911. The signature wrap-around porch has been very special since those early days when there was nothing like sitting out there with the cooling breeze after a day filled with farm chores. The property was operated as a dairy farm for years and unfortunately, the original home and barns were consumed in a fire in 1929. The barns were rebuilt shortly after the fire and thankfully the farmhouse was rebuilt on the same foundation the following year, with the wraparound porch included, the same porch you see today.
Now, instead of, or should I say including family members, people from all over are stopping by to enjoy the excellent fare as well as those stunning views from the Farmhouse Café. You may recall its previous incarnation — The Kineo Coffee Station in the former McDonald’s building on the other side of the street. Stuart Hedstrom, Staff Writer for the Observer, wrote about it in the Aug. 1, 2017 edition of the paper.
The move across the street made good sense to the Muzzy family and the farmhouse is now the perfect location for Muzzy’s dream of preserving her family home for all to enjoy, especially with an expanded coffee shop that has tripled the seating of her former operation.
“It is exciting that just in the three weeks we’ve been open here I’ve heard more stories about people’s association and attachment to this home and farmland,” she said. “I have experienced more stories about this farmhouse since we opened than I learned in all the last 26 years I’ve actually lived here!” She recalled one person’s remembrance of times they came here to hay as a teenager; they pointed out where they actually sat long ago to have a cold drink after haying was done.
“The space designated for the coffee shop incorporates the large kitchen and dining area with big sunny windows framing the views of the lake,” Muzzy said. “My decorating is from all the ladies who came before me, my mother-in-law Callie, and her mother-in-law Elaine, and her mother-in-law Agnes. A few of the furnishings they had still remain in this home.”
The welcoming interior speaks for itself – instead of seating for 16, as was the case at the Kineo Coffee Station, the Farmhouse Café has room for 49; and the space doesn’t feel crowded, what with the expansive porch, cozy living room (or “quiet room” as Muzzy calls it) and the main area of the coffee shop with plenty of room for tables and chairs. “There are spaces everywhere for people,” Muzzy smiled. “And free Internet throughout so people can comfortably get on their laptops.” Eventually she plans to add music to the mix – perhaps a live performer on Tuesdays from time to time.
Most of the baking at the Farmhouse Café is done from scratch, and they are well known for their tasty scones, muffins and biscuits. They also offer a variety of sandwiches on the Panini press, as well as soups, salads and smoothies. Two weeks ago they added Reuben sandwiches and they have been extremely popular Muzzy said.
Customers are posting rave reviews. One said: “Wow!!! This place is awesome, I don’t know which is better, the food, the coffee or The View. I stopped by this Saturday morning, the place was packed and I can see why. Absolutely best scones I’ve ever had and the coffee is outstanding. I am so glad I stopped by this place this morning. Will definitely take another trip to Greenville just to go to this place!”
Another enthused: “What a wonderful coffee shop! Went there for a morning date with my husband, and decided to take the whole family back the next day. Great service, great sweet treats, and amazing coffee!”
“It’s such fun for us to see people countywide and beyond coming in. We’re just delighted to see all these friendly faces,” Muzzy grinned. “It’s wonderful that they are making special trips to find us here and are so willing to share their memories because this place resonates with them. After all, it’s a place they’ve known all their lives and we want to get the history out.”
Muzzy and her friendly staff look forward to welcoming you soon. The Farmhouse Café is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop in for their famously delicious coffee, tea, baked goods or a Panini sandwich; or call ahead for a special order. Their phone is (207) 695-2167 and they are located at 143 Moosehead Lake Road on top of Indian Hill in Greenville.
Observer photo/Shelagh Talbot
FARMHOUSE CAFE — Owner Laurie Muzzy, left, waits on a customer at the Farmhouse Cafe in Greenville recently.