Wiscasset resident Kalei Haggett has opened a new coffee shop, Grounded, at 147 Gardiner Road in Wiscasset, with the goal of offering customers a relaxing spot to enjoy a good cup of coffee. Grounded opened its doors to the public on Friday, February 28, and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Haggett serves drinks made from coffee sourced from Camden’s Coffee on the Porch, and the menu features classic offerings like lattes, Americano, and espresso. For those who prefer something non-caffeinated, there are multiple tea and hot chocolate options.
Haggett’s mission is to create a welcoming space that feels like a living room where people can relax with a quality cup of coffee. “I just want to be here for people and create this space that feels like your living room, but just with a good coffee,” she said.
The idea for Grounded came after some life changes for Haggett and her family. After working as an office staff member at Kennebec Marine Services in West Bath and eventually reaching a management position, Haggett realized that the job didn’t bring her the fulfillment she had hoped for. “It was everything I thought I wanted, and I got to that position and I was like, ‘What am I doing? I’m not happy,’” she said.
In July 2024, after leaving her job to care for her children following the loss of childcare services, Haggett had time to reflect on her future. She combined her love for coffee and her desire for a career change to propose the idea of Grounded to her husband, Cody, who has been supportive throughout the journey.
Though Haggett was unfamiliar with some of the logistics of opening a coffee shop, her years of learning from her grandparents, who own Sprague’s Lobster in Wiscasset, gave her the foundation to pursue her passion. “I had so much passion,” Haggett said, reflecting on the leap she took to become her own boss.
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