FARMINGTON — Aroma Joe’s has acquired the former Gifford’s Ice Cream location at 293 Main Street, with plans to transform the space into one of its popular coffee shops, according to Kate Foster, code enforcement assistant, on Monday, Dec. 16.
Founded in 2000, Aroma Joe’s is known for its handcrafted coffee, espresso drinks, signature AJ’s RUSH® Energy Drinks, and a variety of food offerings, all served in a friendly and upbeat environment. The brand began in East Rochester, NH, when four cousins from Maine—Marty and Tim McKenna, and Mike and Brian Sillon—decided to share their passion for coffee and community. Today, Aroma Joe’s has expanded to over 110 locations across several states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
The franchise owners have already engaged in discussions with Foster and Steve Kaiser from the town’s code enforcement and planning office. Foster confirmed that Aroma Joe’s plans to submit an application to the town’s Planning Board for approval at their upcoming meeting on January 13, 2025. The deadline for submission is December 30.
“They’re hoping to get on the January Planning Board agenda,” Foster said. “They plan to include a drive-through in their plans.” According to Foster, Aroma Joe’s also intends to make significant improvements to the building, including reinforcing the floors, raising electrical systems, and installing stainless steel materials for cabinetry.
The building was previously home to Gifford’s Ice Cream, which announced in August that it would permanently close its Farmington location following damage from flooding in May and December 2023, when the Sandy River rose and covered parts of lower Main Street and other areas in Franklin County.
Foster noted that while Aroma Joe’s is not planning to demolish the structure, they are undertaking a major renovation, which includes gutting the interior and upgrading the building’s foundation and systems. “They are doing a whole gut of the building and remodeling, but they’re not going to tear it down completely,” she said.
With its positive community reputation and growing regional presence, Aroma Joe’s is expected to bring a new energy to the location on Main Street, though further approvals will be required before construction can begin.
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