New Artisan Coffee Shop Opens In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — PROOF Coffee Roasters, a family-owned specialty coffee company, opened its first Connecticut coffee shop Thursday in Stamford.

In a statement, real estate firm Building and Land Technology announced the company has set up shop at 200 Commons Park South in the city's Harbor Point area.

With multiple locations throughout New York City, PROOF sources its coffee from sustainable farms and roasts it locally in Brooklyn, N.Y. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Jeff Sale, founder and CEO of PROOF Coffee Roasters, said the company was "incredibly excited" to expand their footprint to Harbor Point, and to Stamford as a whole.

"As a company, we are hyper-focused on the neighborhoods where we exist, creating jobs and sourcing goods locally," Sale said in a statement. "And yes, we have an exceptionally high-quality product, but ultimately it's about the friendships and connections made across the counter; everyone is equally welcome and embraced."

In addition to specialty coffee and espresso drinks, PROOF also offers an assortment of teas, food and merchandise for purchase. The shop will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Stamford Economic Development Director Thomas Madden said he was "really excited" about PROOF's new Stamford coffee shop.

"Coming from the west coast, I have always felt were we under-caffeinated here in the city," Madden said in an email. "With the number of people working from home around the store site, it makes perfect sense to open up in this location. I know it will be a great asset to the community."

PROOF customers will have the option of ordering in person or placing orders through the company's forthcoming mobile app and having everything delivered right to their door. The company also offers a "coffee subscription box" for recurring delivery of customers' favorite home brew coffee products across the entire country.

"The opening of PROOF Coffee Roasters underscores how Connecticut, particularly Stamford, is an attractive and stimulating community for retailers and residents alike," BLT co-president Ted Ferrarone said in a statement. "We continue to see opportunity for growth, and we're happy that Jeff has chosen Harbor Point as his new home for PROOF."

To celebrate, PROOF will be offering free drinks until 1 p.m. during a grand opening celebration Saturday. To redeem a free beverage, customers are asked to follow @proofcoffeeroasters on Instagram and tag both a friend and PROOF in a post.

Customers will also have the opportunity to aid the company in its "mission for massive social impact through charitable giving," as 5 percent of PROOF's proceeds is donated through its non-profit PROOF Positive Fund.

The fund supports organizations working to creating resources for mental health education and outreach, suicide prevention and awareness and treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders, among others, the company said. Charities include the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Alliance of Mental Illness.

"It's in our DNA that our business exists not only as a fixture of a particular neighborhood," Sale said, "but that we also leverage our voice and our resources to give back to that community and beyond."

Further information about PROOF Coffee Roasters can be found on the company's website.