Klekolo World Coffee is an independent coffee house in Middletown, CT serving coffee lovers since 1994.
For more than three decades, Klekolo has been part of daily life in Middletown, CT. It’s a coffee house built for real lives. People stop in before work, between meetings, after long shifts, or when they need a steady place to sit and stay.
You’ll find business owners here. City and state workers. Service professionals. Artists. Students. Neighbors. Some come every morning. Others come when they need a familiar place to land.
All are welcome.
Klekolo World Coffee at a Glance
Coffee House: Klekolo World Coffee
Location: 181 Court Street, Middletown CT
Founded: March 18, 1994
What We Serve: Organic and fair-trade coffees curated from trusted roasters
Atmosphere: Local art, live music, and a gathering place for the community
A Coffee House in Middletown CT With Deep Roots
Klekolo World Coffee opened on Court Street on March 18, 1994. More than three decades later, it remains one of Middletown’s longest-running independent coffee houses.
From the very beginning in 1994, Klekolo served organic and fair-trade coffee long before it became widely known or popular. Ethical sourcing was never a trend for us. It was a value we chose early and continue to uphold.
That commitment still guides how we choose our coffee today.
Our Approach to Coffee
We curate our coffee selections from a rotating group of trusted organic and fair-trade roasters who share our enthusiasm for high-quality coffee.
Rather than working with only one roaster, we choose coffees based on where each roaster truly excels. One may roast exceptional Sumatra coffees, while another might bring out the best in beans from Peru or Ethiopia. By working with several roasters, we can offer coffees that are each chosen for their character and quality.
We do not roast in-house. Instead, we focus on thoughtful selection choosing coffees that reflect care at every step, from the farm to the roaster to the cup.
These coffees are meant to be enjoyed in the coffee house and brewed confidently at home. Every cup we serve reflects that intention, whether it’s drip coffee or espresso.
Coffee House in Middletown is a place for Community, Art, and Music
Klekolo World Coffee has always been more than a stop for coffee.
Our walls regularly feature work by Connecticut artists. Our space hosts live music and community gatherings. Some people come to events. Others come for conversation, a quiet table, or a familiar face behind the counter.
Klekolo is a place to pause. You are welcome whether you have five minutes or an afternoon.
The People Behind Klekolo World Coffee
Klekolo World Coffee was founded by Hollie Rose and Yvette Elliott in 1994. For more than 17 years, Yvette helped shape the spirit of the coffeehouse before taking over ownership in 2011.
Klekolo has never been shaped by one person alone. It has been formed by the many baristas who have worked behind the counter, and by every person who has walked through the door and stayed.
Some stay for a cup.
Some stay for conversation.
Some stay for a moment of rest.
Together, this community continues to make Klekolo what it is, a coffeehouse held steady by care, presence, and shared time.
Featured Articles & News Coverage
Over the years, Klekolo World Coffee has been featured in local and regional publications recognizing its role in Middletown’s community life.
Fox 61 News reported on the shop reaching its 10,000-day milestone in 2021, receiving a mayoral proclamation for its service to the community and its role as a gathering place for diverse groups — from city officials to local artists.
The Hartford Courant has featured Klekolo in multiple stories describing its distinctive atmosphere. One article called it a winter refuge where “habitués are as varied as the blends,” from police officers to professors and chess masters.
The Middletown Press covered the shop’s 6,000th-day anniversary in 2010, interviewing early regulars and reflecting on the coffeehouse’s history since its founding in 1994.
The Wesleyan Argus published student perspectives describing Klekolo as a “Caffeine Crystal Diamond in the Rough,” praising its commitment to organic, fair-trade beans and its independent spirit.
Connecticut Magazine named Klekolo the Best Coffee House in Connecticut in 2017, highlighting the unique character and community energy the shop brings to Middletown.
A HuffPost article by a Wesleyan faculty member explored the shop’s “Caffeine Community,” describing how customers and former workers are drawn back by both the coffee and the connections formed here.
Visit the Coffee House in Middletown CT.
Klekolo World Coffee is located at 181 Court Street in Middletown, CT.
We’re just a short walk from Wesleyan University and the heart of downtown Middletown. Stop in for a cup, a break between responsibilities, or a place to sit and gather your thoughts.
If you’d like to bring Klekolo home, you can also order the same coffee beans we serve through our website.
Thank you for choosing Klekolo World Coffee.
Your presence is what has kept this coffeehouse steady since 1994.
We look forward to seeing you.
☕💜
Yvette