Local couple opens coffee shop in Berlin 

BERLIN — If you want to sip a hot coffee, meet up with your friends or get some work done, Provision State Coffee might become your new favorite spot. 

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Wes and Pam Zinn, the new coffee shop at 848 Farmington Ave., features coffee, tea, a full range of espresso beverages, hot chocolate and matcha and chai latte. You can pair your drink with a freshly baked pastry or an item from the breakfast selection, including yogurt with house-made granola. 

Warm colors, plants, and aesthetically pleasing woodwork give off cozy, welcoming vibes. The 1,000 square-foot-space is wrapped with windows, allowing an abundance of natural light. The cafe also offers a semi-secluded table, which can be reserved for book clubs, meetings, and other social gatherings. 

“We wanted to have a nice, peaceful place where people can relax, meet with friends and get to know new members of the community,” said Pam Zinn. 

The coffee shop’s name was inspired by state history. George

Washington dubbed Connecticut the “Provision State” during the Revolutionary War as Connecticut provided more supplies for his army than any other state.

“We want to tap into the rich history of our state and celebrate its present goodness by using as many locally sourced products as possible,” said Pam Zinn.

The couple uses fresh, small-batch roasted beans ordered from a specialty roaster in Massachusetts. The milk for the beverages comes from a New Britain-based dairy company.

To help them create the cafe’s look, the couple hired a local designer and carpenter. The windows frames were crafted out of a maple tree from West Hartford. The displayed paintings, which were also done by the local artist, depict the Charter Oak — a symbol of freedom in Connecticut.

“I enjoy supporting Pam and her vision,” said Wes Zinn. “We’ve lived in town for a long time and we are really looking forward to serving and connecting with our community.”

The couple moved to the Kensington section of Berlin 20 years ago. They are both members of the Wellspring Church, where Wes Zinn serves as a pastor and Pam Zinn works as a church administrator. For the last 13 years, Pam Zinn has also been overseeing the church’s Uganda Bridge project, which helps vulnerable children in Uganda. She plans to donate 10 percent of the cafe’s profit to a women’s organization, which she is yet to choose.

“I want to help women and young girls to gain self-confidence and inspire them to pursue their dreams,” she said.

According to the shop’s website, the start up hours are Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

[email protected]: @n_korytnikova