Rook Coffee, a Monmouth County based chain is about to open their ninth location in Monmouth Medical Center and their 10th location in Holmdel, New Jersey. Rook started out in 2010 when co- owners Holly Migliaccio and Shawn Kingsley decided to start up their small business. “Shawn ultimately proposed the idea of opening a coffee business after living in San Francisco and spending a lot of time working and studying at coffee shops there…We shared a passion for coffee and both decided to leave our respective corporate jobs to follow that passion,” Migliaccio said in a recent interview with the Lancer’s Point.

Their first location opened in Little Oakhurst and it wasn’t long before Rook expanded to Long Branch, Little Silver, Wall, Red Bank, Manalapan, and Colts Neck. “It is definitely a possibility for the future,” when Migliaccio was asked if the business would ever expand outside of New Jersey.

She explains that the Rook logo came from Brooklyn, “My business partner, Shawn, and I originally planned to open our coffee business in Brooklyn. That is how we thought of the name Rook, as it is within the word B”rook”lyn. I designed and drew the logo myself. We considered a few options, including the castle (or rook) chess piece, but ultimately decided on a black crow, which is also known as a rook.”

Rook is most notable for their New Orleans Style Cold Brew, “Our cold brew is extensively tested by our development team, and we take great pride in offering the highest quality coffee beverages to our customers. Different than your typical iced coffee, cold brew is a handcrafted concentrate that comes from an infusion method using time instead of heat. The result is a coffee experience rich in flavor and low in acidity,” Migliaccio says.

The business is also known for their special pour over technique “In our stores, we make every cup to order. This means that each cup of coffee is ground and brewed right in front of you, using a pour over method. This ensures that you receive the absolute freshest cup of coffee, every time!”

Rook strives to keep customers happy and make sure they have an amazing coffee experience every time. Migliaccio says, “Our business focuses on three key things: quality, simplicity and experience. Quality: We meticulously select, roast, brew and taste coffee with a constant goal of finding a great cup… Additionally, the amazing support from our families, friends, employees and, of course, customers has been outstanding. Rook would not be what it is today with the help of these very important people.”

There has been a great deal of anticipation for the new locations, “Our Monmouth Medical location will open in January 2016. As for Holmdel, it’s hard to know exactly when this location will open right now, but construction is expected to begin in January 2016,” Migliaccio says.

If you would like more information on Rook, there menu, or want to visit their online shop go to www.rookcoffee.com.