Casey Crough
Staff Reporter
Patrons of the Pour House walked up to their familiar counter to find an unfamiliar sign that read: “We are very sorry to inform you that the Pour House Caf? will be closing it’s doors on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 until further notice. We wish to thank all of our patrons for your continued support and loyalty throughout the years.”Where will students call home now? The Pour House provided a haven for students to relax, work on homework, and enjoy various types of entertainment.
Students and community members of Westminster gathered at the Pour House for on last cup of coffee and to have a final memory of the place they loved.
“Oh my gosh, around 6:00 on Tuesday the place was packed and busy?it was hard to find a table?students and people from the community were all there,” said Tiffany Roberson ’10.
“I am really saddened,” said Roberson, “whenever I needed to get off campus I would go to the Pour House.”
Janet Hollinger, the previous owner, opened the Pour House in June 2002, and sold the business in January 2008 to Laura Shultz.
According to the Carroll County Times, the most recent owner and the business partner of the shop were forced to close because of bad finances.
“My goal was to create a place where everyone felt welcome,” said Hollinger. “Most of all I miss the customers?I miss winking to every man whether he was six or sixty-six?and I miss the warm smiles and customer exchange,” said Hollinger.
Adrienne Dulaj, alumni ’07, worked at the Pour House for about four years.
“I will miss everything about the Pour House…that place put me through college.”
I loved the artistic atmosphere, the friends I made over the years, and most importantly, the coffee!” said Dulaj.
The Pour House will be missed, but was there anything that could have saved the business?
The poor economy tragically brought one of Westminster’s favorite coffee shops to an end.
“The only real change that I saw that may have negatively affected the business was closing the place on Sundays. That was an affluent day for the pour house,” said Dulaj.
Currently, Hollinger is working on creating a day spa called “Amazing Faces” in the Virginia Beach area. The spa will provide micro pigmentation, permanent makeup, laser hair removal, clay body wraps, an ion cleansing system, and many other fabulous services.
There is no doubt that the previous success Hollinger brought to the Pour House will carry over to her new calling.
But, does Hollinger have any interest in buying the Pour House again?
“No,” said Hollinger, “The bank had called Scott (her husband) and I to see if we wanted to purchase their portion, but we have a family here in Virginia Beach. I loved the Pour House when we had it.”
But what will happen to our musicians who performed at the Pour House?
Keith Adams ’10, guitar player of “Turtle Buddy,” feels like it is a shame the Pour House is closing since they are such nice people.
“It is a good place to play, but it is a rare find to have people who are so honest and caring about your music?they e-mailed us and asked us to play, which doesn’t always happen with other places,” said Adams.
Hopefully someone will step up and continue the business, but until then customers will only have a memory. Patrons of all ages will miss the Pour House, but they will never forget the place that they used to call home.