Soup and a sandwich at KenapocoMocha Coffee Shop is always a good choice. Photo by Loren Shaum.

By Loren Shaum
Guest Columnist

NORTH MANCHESTER — History notes that Native Americans settled in the area that is now North Manchester. They named the current Eel River, Kenapocomoco, and built a village near where the Manchester University football field is now.

The first white settlers moved to the area in 1834. Originally plotted as Manchester, the name was changed to North Manchester in 1836 because another Manchester existed at that time.  

Early in the 20th century, the town was very industrious with the DeWitt High Wheel Auto Buggy invented and built there. A fire in 1910 destroyed the manufacturing building, but they didn’t rebuild. So, original buggies are very rare, but one was discovered in Ottawa, Ill., a couple of years ago. There are reproductions and one is at the North Manchester Historical Society.  

Today, the town is famous for the university, the covered bridge, and the elegant Victorian homes. Christmas house tours will hopefully restart this year. These tours are spectacular as many of the homes go all out in Victorian-era decorating.  

A Community-Owned Coffee Shop

In 2008, Jim and Debbie Chinworth had a vision of converting one of the town’s elegant Victorian homes into a boutique coffee shop and bakery.  But first, they had to totally refurbish the house to the original design as it was divided into small apartments. They kept much of the original interior intact including the wooden floors and high ceilings that add so much grace and elegance to the house. Then they reached out to the community to invest and more than 40 residents invested.

Before opening, the owners held a contest to select a name. The winner was submitted by a resident, Julie Garber. She did a play on words by incorporating the Indian name for the river, Kenapocomoco, with mocha to cleverly create “KenapocoMocha”.  

Hand-Made Dishes  

The shop emphasizes: “We aren’t fast food. We are slow food. Everything is hand-made to order.” Using seasonal ingredients from several local farms, the shop offers creative, daily sandwich and soup specials and a chalkboard full of unique sandwiches and salads that may change weekly. Many are gluten-free.

Quiches are a popular breakfast item at KenapocoMocha Coffee Shop. Photo by Loren Shaum.

The menu contains many quirky items like bacon and avocado grilled cheese, skinny piggy, meat and taters wrap, etc. Over the years, the curried chicken sandwich has been one that I found particularly tasty. Layered between two thin house-made focaccia slices, it’s a large serving. When combined with any of the salads or a daily soup, it’s enough for two.  

The most popular salad is the Cobb. This entree salad includes chicken breast combined with lettuces, onion, bacon, tomato, egg, avocado and topped with blue cheese crumbles. Other salads include Greek, K-Mo House and taco. They make their own dressings for all salads.

Soups Are Seasonal

Having enjoyed several of the shop’s soups, one that has stood out is the zucchini chowder. This delightful concoction includes garden vegetables combined with two kinds of cheese in a light, creamy chicken stock. Seasoned perfectly, you will savor every slurp!  

Another soup enjoyed was a spring orzo soup. The light chicken stock has small pasta floating about and includes a combination of veggies. Soups are served with two thick slices of one of the daily breads and butter.

Breakfast Daily

With a large focus on coffees, the shop offers Utopian Coffees out of Fort Wayne where they roast the coffee in small batches. They also specialize in lattes and mochas.  

Breakfast goers often go for a cup of coffee and a fresh-made muffin or scone, or biscotti, or one of the fresh-made breads. Zucchini and banana bread are frequently available.

Creative quiches based on available ingredients also attract morning crowds, and they are not disappointed.  Also popular over the years is their baked oatmeal.  

A College Town Hang-out

The four seating rooms are populated with single and community tables, and there is outside seating on the porch. One of the rooms is a library with comfortable seating, and there are magazines on the library ladder.

Spring is a great time to check out this unique Victorian town that boasts a historical business district with a number of boutique shops.  You particularly might want to stop at another local haunt, Nordmann’s Nook. Their breads are excellent, and they have a nice gift shop.  

You won’t be disappointed in Victorian North Manchester especially if you find your way to KenapocoMocha Coffee Shop.