Small Business Spotlight: Silk City Coffee
Published on July 23, 2026 | 4 min read | Webster Bank
Silk City Coffee, a decade-old coffee retailer with locations in Manchester, Conn., and Willimantic, Conn., is one of two second-place prize winners in Webster Bank’s first national Small Business Week contest that attracted participants from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The contest winners were unveiled in the first week of May as part of a celebration of Small Business Week.
The Silk City Coffee brand was founded in Manchester in 2016 by Tammy Gerhard and Sarah May with their husbands and business partners, Glenn Gerhard and Rob May. After nearly a decade of successful operation, they expanded with a second location in Willimantic, Conn. Today, both retail locations are dedicated to roasting specialty coffee and providing thoughtful service in their communities.
We spoke with Tammy and Sarah to learn more about their plans to expand the reach of their business and how the Webster Bank grant funds they won will help their business plans.
“With the right support, we can expand our capacity, increase revenue and more fully serve both the local community and the broader downtown ecosystem.” – Sarah May, Co-Owner, Silk City Coffee
Q. What are the main challenges to your business?
A: As a newer, independently operated business with two locations, we are building revenue and infrastructure. Soon after opening in the center of a vibrant main street in Willimantic, we realized our limited indoor space significantly impacts our ability to fully serve our growing customer base.
While our momentum and foot traffic are increasing, particularly with expanded menu offerings, our physical limitations have restricted capacity and sales and held us back.
Q. How will you use this money to help grow your business?
A: This funding will help us expand our outdoor space in Willimantic.
While this location operates under its own budget, it is built on the same community-centered approach established at our original Silk City Coffee shop in Manchester. We want to be a vital and accessible spot in our community for a greater number of people.
This grant will help us transform our large back patio, which the town leased to us for $1 per year, and create a welcoming and thoughtfully designed extension of our café. This outdoor space will double the size of our shop, enhancing the overall customer experience.
New seating, lighting, and landscaping will allow us to welcome and serve more customers to create a warm, inviting environment for gatherings.
Q. How does your business create economic vitality in your community?
A: Silk City Coffee is much more than two coffee shop locations. We serve as a gathering place that fosters connections and drives consistent foot traffic. By utilizing both our indoor space and outdoor areas in the Willimantic café, as well as participating in town-wide events, we will help bring more people into the shopping district. This increased activity also supports neighboring businesses and contributes to a more vibrant downtown economy.
Every month, at both locations, we partner with local nonprofits through regular “giveback” programs. These programs offer organizations opportunities to raise funds and awareness. We show our support through our Give Back Cookie ($1 from each cookie donated) and we spread the word on our social channels and post a direct donation link on our website. These partnerships keep dollars circulating locally and help by amplifying the impact of organizations already doing important work.
Q. In what ways does Silk City Coffee give back to the community?
A: Silk City Coffee’s main mission is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where people feel connected and supported. Tammy is an alumna of Eastern Connecticut State University, making the opportunity to open a location just off campus especially meaningful to her.
“We are committed to serving students, faculty, and residents by providing not only quality products, but also a space where people feel seen, valued, and connected.” – Tammy Gerhard, Co-Owner, Silk City Coffee
Beyond the cafés, Silk City Coffee actively supports local nonprofit organizations by contributing goods and services to further their initiatives. This includes donating merchandise, providing gift cards for fundraisers, and supplying food and coffee for community events.
We provide a formal process through which nonprofits can request support, allowing us to consistently and thoughtfully give back to those doing important work. Through these efforts, Silk City Coffee helps raise awareness and strengthen the impact of organizations within the community.
Webster Bank is proud to support Silk City Coffee, a specialty coffee business with two locations, as it expands its reach and deepens its commitment to the community.
