Coffee in the Garden

Coffee in the GArden at HIghland Lake Cove

Nestled among the trees and adjacent to a thriving community garden with a serene lake view, Highland Lake Cove is evolving as a place to step back from the swirl of everyday stresses.  The Cove is the manifestation of a vision long held by its creator, Kerry Lindsey. It is a place to serve as a joyous event venue, a hub for those wishing to create community, or a peaceful setting for quiet contemplation.

In short, Highland Lake Cove has been created as a place for people to put aside all that divides us and reconnect in a place of natural beauty. A healing convergence of trees, gardens, water, and intentionality about bringing people together.

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The Lodge and Pavillion at Highland Lake Cove

An important step towards realizing Kerry’s vision this summer has been Coffee in the Garden offered each Tuesday morning in the Cove.  A wonderful option for coffee, baked treats, flowers, fresh vegetables, and community on each Tuesday morning from 9 - 11 a.m., Coffee in the Garden is open to anyone who wishes to meet friends new and old, enjoy a pleasant outdoor setting, or just wants a quiet cup of coffee in a serene outdoor setting.

Kerry Lindsey is passionate about creating spaces and opportunities for people to connect with each other and with the natural world.  “Charles Eisenstein talks about our “crisis of belonging,” he explains. “We have this challenge of deep divisions in society and people need to come back together. Part of that process is getting people back in the garden which helps them fall in love with the planet again.”

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Kerry Lindsey, Laurie Worthy, and Maddie McCann

Coffee in the Garden evolved from a farm stand that was operated by Laurie Worthy and Maddie McCann at The Farm subdivision not far from The Cove. Laurie and Maddie serve as Guest Relations Coordinator and Farm Manager for The Cove. The stand was well received by neighbors but a lot of work for the duo. “We needed to create something sustainable and more manageable if we continued,”  Laurie explains. 

As a result, Laurie and Maddie decided to move their operation to Highland Lake Cove where there was more space for patrons to linger and the facilities to offer a wider variety of products. They offer coffee and a selection of baked treats in addition to the freshly harvested produce, herbs, and flowers from the Cove Garden. The new location has been well received and quickly become a regular gathering spot for a growing number of area residents.

Maddie chats with a patron of Coffee in the Garden

The benefits of a morning at Coffee in the Garden are immediately obvious to those who attend. Far removed from the typical urban coffee shop setting, there is outdoor dining with a lake view as well room to stroll quietly with your coffee in a natural setting . The intentionality around creating community is palpable and it is a place perfectly suited to making new acquaintances.  “We offer a spontaneous community meeting space, a farm stand, a flower shop, and a bakery all rolled into one with nature as an integral component,” says Laurie.

Coffee in the Garden is also an inviting way to introduce patrons to all that the Cove is intended to become in the coming months. “We are in the process of launching various initiatives and our Tuesday mornings help that process,” says Laurie.

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Pizza Party at Highland Lake Cove

Those “various initiatives” have been rolling around in the mind and imagination of Kerry Lindsey for many years now. His vision for Highland Lake Cove involves many facets - including serving as a retreat center, special event venue, offering a regular Maker’s Market, a community garden, and dining experiences catered out of The Cove’s commercial kitchen. Anticipated dining experiences include a regular Supper Club, dinners designed to allow different generations to mingle, outdoor Pizza Parties, possible classes, and more - limited only by people’s imagination as to how to utilize the venue.

For now, Coffee in the Garden will continue on Tuesday mornings for as long as the garden and the weather hold out.  The gathering is open to all area residents and Laurie expects they will continue for several more weeks this year.  “My hope is that if the response is strong we will go until November and maybe even into December. It all depends on the turnout.”

Selection of Produce offered during Coffee in the Garden

Laurie and Maddie also have plans to further expand their offerings next year. Plans include possible additions of soups, salads, as well as invitations for local artists and craftspeople to showcase their creations.

At its core, Highland Lake Cove is about bringing people together. “Our main thrust is connection. How we connect to the earth, our food, each other - all roads lead home to ‘self’, and how we live,” says Laurie. Then she adds with a smile, “And it can all start with a cup of coffee in the garden.”

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Coffee in the Garden
Tuesdays 9 - 11 am
Highland Lake Cove
215 Rhett Drive, Flat Rock

Learn more about Highland Lake Cove at www.highlandlakecove.com