Out and About: Mel Madigan

The Bean @226 was established on November 28, 2017. 226 Broad St. has history attached with it. For some, people may remember Windsor Pharmacy. For others, they might think of the Windsor Donut Shop run by the Westfort family or its change of hands two more times. Or it could be Nat Hayden's Real Pit Barbecue. The space was left open in 2010 with neighboring business owner, Dr. Stephen D. Lipman, DMD to take over, buy the entire building and create a vision sometime in 2013 of a space that could be used as another business, or another memory to create of that very same location. That space became the swanky 226 Jazz Art Java. It opened in the spring of 2014 and had a two-year run (also receiving a rebrand and new name of The Bean @226) before being bought by Mel Madigan last fall.

Mel Madigan was born and raised in Seattle, WA. She graduated from college with a degree in Business Management. While she was obtaining her degree, Mel worked in various local coffee shops in Washington. Around the same time, when she was eighteen, things began to align for the budding barista. Her parents moved to Connecticut and Mel began to dream of owning her own coffee shop. Mel wanted a change of scenery and moved to the east coast when she was twenty-five, not only to be closer to her mom and dad, but seek new opportunities. She fell in love with Connecticut, autumn and winter weather, which she never experienced in Washington. Upon her move, she took a job with Starbucks and managed it for seven years. Then she worked at a bakery for three years. During that time, she settled in Coventry. After that, she discovered an ad for a former coffee shop that was for sale in Windsor. Mel's dream of owning her own coffee shop was just around the corner.

Two friends of Mel's had been living in Windsor. One was going to show her The Bean, but it had closed at the time. Mel's friend told her, "You should re-open it yourself." Mel thought she was crazy. As luck would have it though, in short time The Bean @226 was up for sale. She had been seeking a slightly different opportunity and different scenery. Before Mel fell in love with Windsor though, she had plans of buying The Bean, its equipment, and moving the business to Colorado. Shelly Lipman, the owner suggested she try reopening The Bean right where it stood. Mel says in amazement, "My whole life literally changed. I was like, "I'd love that.' I didn't know if they wanted the space as an expansion for the dentist's office or something else." Mel completely agreed to take on the business as owner of The Bean @226. She sold her house in Coventry, and fell head over heels for Windsor.

"This town is like amazing! From the diversity to the support. It's a real community I've never felt. I've lived in Manchester, Plainville, West Hartford, and Coventry. But not once have I ever felt the community that Windsor carries." She says of her move, "It all fell into place. It was all kind of meant to be. Its overwhelming joy and happiness."

Mel states that she already loves to do business with fellow bakery/coffee shop, Get Baked and has a very good rapport with owner, Emily. She loves Siam Corner Thai Kitchen & Pho. "I'm there probably three to four times a week." Mel loves the close proximity of everything in town too. Mel is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

"I feel like Windsor does so much to give back to the community."

Three words that describe Mel: Welcoming. Community. Positive.

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