Reverie brews local coffee and craft beer at new Amenia location

AMENIA — After gaining momentum from its original location in Patterson, the crowd-pleasing coffeehouse Reverie decided to bring its business up to Amenia where it’s now attracting customers with comfort food and locally-sourced beverages.

Up until a few weeks ago, Reverie has been operating solely in Patterson since it opened there in 2015. Focusing its menu options locally, the coffee served at Reverie is roasted right in Mahopac, at Bear Mountain Coffee Roasters. Catering to a variety of dietary needs, the restaurant uses fresh, local products, and, when possible, bakes instead of deep fries. It offers gluten-free and vegan options. Reverie co-owner Megan Denaut said she and her fiancée and partner, Bruce Petty, keep a small staff as “it gives everyone the hours they want and allows us to make sure the quality of our products is consistent.”

With business growing in Patterson, Denaut said she and Petty ultimately realized that Reverie couldn’t keep up with the demand, especially in such a small space. Residing in Dover Plains, and considering the number of commuters from towns like Dover Plains, Amenia and Sharon, the pair sought a second space north of Patterson for two years. In finding the space formerly occupied by Railhead Jerk at 4789 Route 22 in Amenia, they saw a golden opportunity for Reverie to evolve from a coffeehouse to a coffeehouse and craft beer bar.

Over the course of three months, Petty and Denaut worked on the locale, recycling materials from the original building. Denaut said they were able to reuse most of those materials. By Saturday, July 20, Amenia’s Reverie was open for business.

Reverie offers a variety of mac and cheese, wraps, burgers and more, from the seafood mac and cheese to the Big Bad Bleus burger. Along with serving smoothies, coffees and espresso drinks, Reverie sells coffee with unusual flavors like maple bacon, blueberry pie, French toast and salted caramel. The restaurant also sells an array of cannabidiol-infused (CBD) coffee, tea, chocolate bars and other products at the counter.

Reverie is currently open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Starting Monday, Sept. 2, it will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., during which time the restaurant expects to introduce an updated menu, four rotating taps and a wide variety of craft beers brewed both locally and from across the country. Along with securing a license to sell alcohol, Denaut anticipates hosting live music at its outdoor patio in the near future.

Denaut shared her and Petty’s aspirations to keep expanding the Reverie brand, from increasing their business in bottling and distributing their cold brew coffee to opening up smaller Reverie models in other towns.

“People need good coffee,” she claimed, “and we want to be the ones to bring it to them.”