New Businesses

Utopia Coffeehouse opens in Spring Hill

December 19, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Seth and Christine Leininger

It doesn’t get any better than this

Utopia \yu-‘to-pe-a\ noun (ca.1666) a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions.

Utopia Coffee doesn’t aspire to perfect the local laws or government, but the quaint new coffeehouse gracing a restored historic Spring Hill home on Main Street does enrich the social conditions of the community. Utopia approaches perfection by combining a most inviting and relaxing atmosphere with addictive coffee drinks and delicious homemade baked goods and sandwiches. Imagine a coffee shop planted inside a bed and breakfast inn and you get the picture. The front door creaks open and original wood floors escort you to one of the three rooms where you can enjoy a mug of the in-house roasted coffee or a caramel cream latte, a fresh apricot scone or a Turkey Tuscan sandwich on foccacia bread.

Ever since the early days of their relationship, Seth and Christine Leininger wanted to own and operate their own coffeehouse. Having worked a variety of jobs in the restaurant industry, they accumulated a lot of ideas about what they wanted their dream coffeehouse to be like.

But where and when? The Leininger’s were undecided on a location and on the timing of when to launch their own business. Said Seth, “We scouted the country in search of the best area to open the coffeehouse, and ironically, Spring Hill did not make the first cut. It was a cold day last January when I went for a walk through the old part of Spring Hill and on Main Street I saw the house that would one day become Utopia Coffee. I was instantly drawn to it. The property was available, and after we got a chance to check out the interior, we realized the best part was that we could also live there. We made an offer that week and started packing our bags.”

The Leininger’s have resided in middle Tennessee for 3 years now and have called Spring Hill home for the last two. Growing up in the modest southeast Michigan town of Sand Creek gave Seth an appreciation for community life in a smaller town like Spring Hill. But it was his degree in Music Business that first drew him and Christine to this region near Music City. Said Seth, “Like many musicians we’ve worked in a variety of cafes, coffeehouses, and restaurants over the years.”

Seth and Christine had envisioned Utopia to be a convergence of several good things: a coffeehouse, a coffee roastery, a place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all kinds of special events. Says Christine, “We wanted it to be fun, casual, relaxing, stimulating, and a little something for everyone. There was a great coffee shop in Ohio that we loved going to because they had a great menu, lots of board games, and live music.”

If the Leininger’s thought that their new business was going to develop slowly and gradually, they were mistaken. The secret got out and word spread that a unique and cozy coffeehouse was open on Main Street. Initially the couple opened for business from 6a.m. to 3p.m. Monday through Saturday. Enthusiastic customers pleaded for them to extend their hours. “Of course we wanted to,” says Christine. “But it was just the two of us, and we were up each morning by 4:30 and by 3:00 in the afternoon we were really tired. But after we officially closed for the day we still had to clean up, place our orders for supplies, grocery shop, do our accounting and deposits. Working in a business doesn’t stop just because you lock the door.”

The Steel Magnolia Ladies enjoy coffee and conversation

One of the main things happening after hours is the preparation. Customers rave about the flavor of the coffees but don’t know the secret behind the quality. Seth roasts all the coffee beans himself. Why go to that kind of extra effort that no one sees? He grins with a sigh. “Being a coffee-obsessed enthusiast I suppose it was a natural desire to roast my own beans in the quest for the perfect cup of coffee. I knew that freshness makes a huge difference in the quality and flavor of the brew. I continue to roast my own beans for the shop because it really makes for the best coffee that I can offer, and it’s just plain fun.”

If bean roasting wasn’t enough of a time grinder, Christine insists on baking everything herself and is a stickler for everything being homemade with fresh and natural ingredients. As popular as her scones du jour is Christine’s foccacia (the bread used on the sandwiches). “Our menu is unique because we strive to make everything from scratch,” says Christine. “I don’t even buy pre-packaged sliced cheese. I want to cut it myself.”

While Christine is heating up a generous chunk of cranberry orange bread and adorning it with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, Seth is busy at the espresso machine making steaming lattes and blended mochas. Christine’s invention, the breakfast au-lait, is a customer favorite. Made with coffee, steamed milk, white chocolate, and brown sugar, Christine’s delightful brew makes it hard to be satisfied with a cup of Folgers in your morning travel mug.

The consistent pleas have persuaded the Leininger’s to extend their hours. Utopia is now open Monday thru Thursday 6am–6pm, Friday and Saturday 6am–9pm. On weekend nights there will be live music and other events plus a new dinner menu. So when is this energetic young couple going to rest? “We’re calling in reinforcements,” Seth said with a smile. “We’re hiring some extra help so we don’t burn out.” Christine adds, “Yes, we want to be here for a long time and grow with the community. We never dreamed we would grow this quickly but the people in this town are wonderful and they just embraced us from the very beginning.” “It’s very exciting,” Seth chimes in and Christine nods. They are a couple living out their dream and just a little dizzy from the reality.

By Ramon Presson