Hello, and Welcome

      The inspiration for a quaint little shop had come from the wife of a local custom home builder. She had the vision, he had the skill to make it a reality...and in 2005 they opened the shop with the 2005 Swamp Cabbage Festival. They quickly realized that the quaint outward appearance was just that. Being somewhat of a niche business for the small town of LaBelle in the early 2000's-the demands of of the business were realized to be a bit more than either of them anticipated.

    The business was put up for sale by mid-late 2005. Within a relatively short period of time it was sold to the second owner. The second owner seemed to be doing good things with the business. Expanding the menu, extending the hours...but everything was not as it seemed. Near the end of 2006 the business was repossessed by the original owners for non-payment. Amidst various family obligations that were of greater concern-they closed the doors through most of the 2006 season. With the 2007 Swamp Cabbage Festival the original owners re-opened Bridge Street Coffee & Tea Company with reduced hours and a limited menu...their plan was to keep it operational whilst listing it for sale again. 

     In 2007 Charles Harris (Charlie) came to work at Bridge Street Coffee & Tea Company for the original owners. His college courses at what was then Edison Community College (now Florida Southwestern University) had shifted from the Lee County campus to the the Hendry County campus. His retail management job for Gap Inc. -at the Tanger Outlet Mall near Sanibel-was now an hour and 15 minute commute vs a 15 minute commute. 

     Within a few months Charles had fallen in love with the energy and potential of Bridge Street Coffee & Tea Company...so with the help of a small family loan from his grandmother and his mother-and no small amount of youthfully ignorant enthusiasm-he took the reins just two months shy of his 21st birthday. There were a lot of mis-conceived notions about what being your own boss would mean that had to be disspelled-but 16 years later (and counting)-Bridge Street Coffee & Tea Company has grown to become one of the best known and beloved establishments in the area. With a following of fans and regulars scattered across the U.S. Now, with the dedication and hard work of our awesome staff, family and extended family and of course the support of our loyal, new and die-hard regular patrons, we aim to see this journey continue for many years to come.- Thank You!