In just under a decade, a group of enthusiasts have filled Tønsberg's charming streets with local flavors and vibrant meeting places. It's easy to understand when you meet the people behind the bakery ovens and bayonets
"We started in 2009 and since then we've been involved in most things. We just say 'yes' and then we do it. Preferably together with others who are doing what they are committed to. In this way, the city can flourish by building each other up through good collaboration."
Marit Due Akerholt
Not just a barista
It was quite late when Marit organized a fashion show in the backyard the day before, but that doesn't affect the pace of the busy coffee shop owner. "I never take the same route back as I used on the way to," she says as she takes quick steps towards the new opening of Haugar café. She never shies away from new paths in life either. Preferably on impulse, as long as it's fun to do. When she's not driving her mobile coffee bar on three wheels to companies, arranging corporate catering or attending everything from festivals to wedding fairs, she runs the Bare Barista coffee bar chain. But it wasn't a foregone conclusion that this would be the case.
- I had always wanted to, but there's something about doing it," Marit continues at the same speed over the asphalt. This year, the first Bare Barista in Øvre Langgate was joined by two new ones, at Haugar Art Museum and the railway station. When Marit arrives by train from her home in Holmestrand, she has to visit all of them during the day.
Exciting process
We are a coffee shop. Coffee takes center stage. But everything we offer has to be really good. That's why we make our own baked goods and pastries. I want to know where things come from and make them from scratch. That's something I've picked up from my time as a journeyman lead glassmaker, that I find the whole process exciting. The glass and the coffee beans that change character when they meet the heat. With the attitude that everyone can benefit from each other, and benefit from each other's expertise, we can pull the city together and build local affinity.
"The town itself is built along the shoreline, and has a number of boats for people coming in. There are a lot of people in town, especially in the summer when there are ships sailing in from all sorts of countries"
The Danish crusader's description of the summer town of Tønsberg is as accurate as it was in 1191, but today the seaside and brewery life is enriched with the scents of handmade pastries and freshly brewed coffee.
Tønsberg used to be known for its pier, but now the town itself has also become a place where people feel at home. Those who move back to Tønsberg find it nice that a culture of using the town has been established, as they have become accustomed to in other cities. In the last ten years, the number of places that focus on local produce and good coffee has exploded. That has a lot to do with it - that we've grown to love the city center. That's the role of the café," says Kjersti With.
It took a police officer to fill the pedestrian streets of Tønsberg with the smell of freshly baked bread made from local ingredients. Since Kjersti With put the first tray in the stone oven in 2o11, the bakery and coffee shop "Brød og kaffe" in Storgate has been joined by two new branches, "Bakst og kaffe" next to the hospital and "Bok og kaffe" at the library. In the fall, she will move the bakery ovens to Tollbugaten, where there will be a merger of bakery and community center. With so many loaves of bread in the fire, ingredients from the police profession, such as decisiveness, structure and implementation skills, are probably useful to have.
New meeting places
- Tollbugaten will be a house for everyone in Tønsberg. There will be a bakery and café, but also offices, group rooms and an arena for gatherings and seminars. With concerts, a café and meeting places, inspired by Mesh in Oslo," says With.
Although the driven bakery entrepreneur is concerned about the meeting places in the city, she is no stranger to new opportunities in one of the country's most beautiful archipelagos.
"Landhandleriet is an idyllic little spot by the guest harbor at Tjøme"
Kjersti With
Freshly baked baked goods will be delivered straight to the boats this summer. "We take your order at the pier, so you don't even have to go ashore before breakfast is served," says With.
Courage at the pier
Almost down by the pier in Tønsberg, in large and homely premises, is Abraham coffee shop. Behind a golden yellow La Marzocco, the legendary espresso machine from Italy, is Linn Andrea Solberg. At the age of 21, she opened her coffee shop in the premises attached to the cinema in Tønsberg in 2014. Many might argue that she was quite young to run a coffee shop, but for Linn it was a well-considered choice - she had been dreaming about it for ten years already. And for the enterprising coffee shop owner, there was never an alternative to opening in Tønsberg, with all the qualities her hometown and the surrounding archipelago have to offer.
An old classic in a new guise
Ann-Christin Løvdal moved from Bærum to Nøtterøy to be closer to boating, the sea and the archipelago outside Tønsberg. At the same time, she took over an old classic, Kaffespesialen at Torvet, which has been supplying residents with freshly roasted coffee for over 30 years. The last year has been spent transforming the shop, which has now been renamed "Kaffedamen", but the range and service that has made it the city's specialty shop remains. - Here, old and new customers will still be able to find their coffee favorites, with good advice and guidance on the purchase. "At the same time, we have renewed part of the range with organic chocolate and exciting accessories, not to mention a soft ice cream machine with a serving area facing the square," says Løvdal enthusiastically. This will come in handy when locals, cottagers and tourists come to enjoy Torvet in summer.
Summer drinks from Tønsberg
Turkish apple - a fruity and refreshing iced tea with a beautiful color and a clean taste of sweet apples.
- 35 grams of tea
- 30 grams of sugar
- 6 decilitres of water
- 400 grams of ice cubes
Fill a press pot with tea and sugar. Pour in freshly boiled water and let it steep for seven minutes before pressing down the plunger. Add the ice cubes and stir until they melt. Serve in glasses filled with ice cubes.
Strawberry and Kiwi
- 1 liter of water
- 20 grams Strawberries & Kiwi (fruit tea)
- 2 limes
- 1 deciliter sugar
Boil the water, pour over all the ingredients and leave the mixture until the next day. Serve in glasses filled with ice cubes.