In my mind, the tangible essence of the word PAREA will forever present itself in the form of a cup of coffee. Nine times out of ten, wherever there is good company, there is good coffee. Growing up in the Greek culture, coffee was pretty much everywhere all of the time. Whenever people gathered, coffee was present. Large or small, happy or somber, formal or casual, the parameters of the occasion had no effect on the guaranteed presence of our most favored drink. This philosophy has yet to fade away after countless generations. Fresh coffee holds such a valuable place in not only the culture of the Greeks, but in our religion as well. The Greek Orthodox Church Sunday service has forever followed the same schedule; The 9AM Orthos service which leads into the 10AM Divine Liturgy, 11AM communion offering, followed by 12PM coffee hour. For some, the latter might be the most sacred portion of the morning. Nonetheless, a hot and fresh cup of joe has always had the power to insight conversation, ideas, and great PAREA.
This ideal of bringing people together through the worlds freshest beans and roasted blends lived inside the mind of my Grandfather Gerasimos "Jerry" Stephanitsis, who immigrated to the United States in 1924 at the tender age of 14. After many years of hitch hiking around the country looking for work, cooking for the Army, and sleeping on park benches, he finally settled in Norfolk, Virginia in the early 1950's where he founded Norfolk Coffee & Tea, and the rest is history. Serving only the finest blends, the shop carries close to 100 varieties from all over the world, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Vietnam and many more. Seven decades later, his son - my uncle -, Chris Stephanitsis continues to roast, package, and distribute the worlds finest coffee blends to restaurants, house holds, churches, universities and many more.
Nestled behind Norfolk's old Coca-Cola bottling factory on Monticello and 18th Street, Norfolk Coffee & Tea is more than just a coffee warehouse, it feels much more like a museum. Packed with a full century's worth of memorabilia, the shop showcases photo's and knickknacks from my Grandfather's early days in Kefalonia, Greece, the original and still operating roasting and packaging machines, multiple generations of family photos, and autographed regards from everyone from Hulk Hogan to Barak Obama, all thanking the Stephanitsis family for their unmatched products. After all the years, all the bags, and all the joy, it's no wonder the business displays it's "Beans in The Genes" motto on all of their products.
To be inside the walls of Norfolk Coffee & Tea Co. is to be In Good Company. My uncles, Chris and Nick seem to know every patron who enters the store by name, occupation, and preferred coffee blend. It's amazing to witness. True old school hospitality at it's finest. As the customers are attended to in front of the counter, there is most always a few gentlemen in the back behind the counter enjoying cups of the world's finest coffee, cracking jokes, and enjoying each other's PAREA.
Norfolk Coffee & Tea and PAREA have always stood for and preached the same message within our individual works; using the highest quality products to bring people together. It was only right that the two of us collaborated to create "The PAREA Blend". Sitting with my Uncle Chris, I expressed to him that I wanted to showcase our family business to the PAREA community, while delivering a completely unparalleled product. We decided the best way to do this was obvious; Greek coffee. Unlike most Greek coffee brands on the market today that contain preservatives to extend it's shelf life, "The PAREA Blend" is nothing but 100% fresh Greek coffee grounds that are made to order. Our coffee isn't sitting in a box waiting to be shipped. Each bag is individually roasted, grounded, packaged, and labeled by the Stephanitsis family and immediately shipped directly to you, just how it should be.
We couldn't be more proud of this collaboration with a company that holds our same values, and bloodline. If you ever find yourself in the wonderful area of Norfolk, VA, give Norfolk Coffee & Tea Co. a visit. You'll be treated like family, like PAREA. Please, enjoy a cup of "The PAREA Blend" In Good Company.
Check out https://www.norfolkcoffeeandtea.com/ for all of their amazing products!
- Tommy Kyrus; Founder
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