NEWBURYPORT – If you are looking for a cozy coffee and baked goods shop in downtown Newburyport, you may want to try Kimberly Dillon’s Changing Tides Café on Pleasant Street.
Despite being a few steps off the well-trodden sidewalks of State and Pleasant streets, the popular cafe caters to a cadre of locals who gather daily, particularly on Fridays – donut day. Some out-of-towners from as far away as Ipswich and Haverhill have found Kim’s shop, drawn by word that she is the only place on the North Shore that brews the celebrated George Howell coffee.
After a career managing Verizon engineering and construction projects, Kim went to work for the coffee shop and bought it after two months at the end of 2024.
“I made a million mistakes, but I learn from my mistakes,” she said. “My hope was to make Changing Tides a place where people feel welcome and comfortable.”
The steady stream of customers stop for coffee, muffins, raspberry, lemon, cheddar and bacon scones or top-selling fried egg sandwiches. They bring their computers to turn Changing Tides into their office, which proves that Kim and her team have created a go-to spot. They come with yoga mats rolled under their arm looking for a protein shake, the full espresso bar or lattes laced with homemade flavors — all in a fun atmosphere.
In the past year, her Instagram has grown to 4,400 followers with lots of 5-star reviews.
She attributes her success to her crew – Hannah Pierce, Charlie Guest and Michelle Diaz – who stayed when she acquired Changing Tides, plus a new addition, Landon Habib, a marvelous young baker.
Kim said, “Everyone is happy here,” which helps create the shop’s strong vibe.
The team agreed. “It is a wonderful place,” Michelle said.
The customers are always friendly, Hannah said. “Some come every day.” And many bring their dogs, which stop during their morning walks at the to-go window or sit at the front door, waiting for treats. The shop hands out 14 pounds of dog treats each month.
The large interior brick wall showcases local artists. Currently on the dining room wall are photos shot by Newburyport photographer Michael O’Donnell that include framed photos, which are on sale, of Newburyport and exotic locations around the world.
Several days a week, Changing Tides brings left-over baked goods for Among Friends, a Newburyport food bank. On Wednesdays, she collects donated canned goods for Our Neighbors’ Table. On the last Wednesday of each month last year, half of her net sales was given to charities, like Opportunity Works, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center and Our Neighbors Table.
“We are community,” Kim said.
The challenge for the cafe is its location behind the city’s new parking garage. The location of the building at 92 Pleasant Street, once the John Pappas Meat Market, was initially expected to be an asset with parkers in the new multi-story lot would come in before work, shopping or dining two blocks away in downtown.
To attract new customers Kim added colorful umbrellas and tied balloons to chairs and tables on her back patio, which seats 40. On coming warm days, she expects the patio will be filled for breakfast and lunch and hopes one day to paint a mural on the outside wall.
And don’t forget the George Howell coffee. Howell, headquartered in Acton, strives to produce “the finest coffees on earth, roasting to precision and delivering the ultimate cup of coffee.”
From seed to cup, Howell’s coffee is perfection. Howell was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in 1996, followed by the Better Coffee World Award by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe, the continent’s highest honor.
In 2012, George returned to his cafe roots opening his first George Howell Coffee cafe in Newtonville, MA followed by a second in Boston’s The Godfrey Hotel, and a third in the Boston Public Market. And in Newburyport, his coffee can be enjoyed at Kim’s Changing Tides Café.
