Carli Brennan 
The Inkwell was an essential part of Long Branch’s breakfast and coffee culture for decades until its 2022 closure. Now, the space is getting revived, at least in spirit, in a new cafe from the Almost Home team. Almost Home is a Lincroft, NJ-based group of restaurants and cafes founded by NJ native Robert Doran. Read on for more about the new Almost Home location in Long Branch and how it will pay tribute to the Inkwell.
About the Inkwell
The Inkwell, which closed in 2022, was a Monmouth County staple known for its iconic Dutch coffees, late-night open-mic events, and poetry readings. The Inkwell was a go-to weekend hangout spot at the shore since the 1960s, especially for students at nearby Monmouth University.
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The coffee shop was a solution for young people who wanted a late-night spot to hang out with friends, but either weren’t old enough for or weren’t interested in the bar scene. Bruce Springsteen was a visitor to the storied coffee shop, especially when he lived in the area while writing “Born to Run.”
The space was sold in 2022, and a mixed-use development was built on the site. The Inkwell Lofts is a boutique condo building with 22 units and ground-floor retail. Almost Home’s newest cafe is on the ground floor, and founder Robert Doran says that the spirit of the Inkwell is a big part of this new location.
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About Almost Home
Almost Home started in Lincroft, NJ, and now has several locations throughout New Jersey + Pennsylvania. Its cafes and restaurants are known for the homestyle food, creative coffee drinks, and fun aesthetics. Like many Monmouth County teenagers, Robbie shared that Inkwell was a frequent date spot and hang out with friends when he was in high school. While the original Inkwell location has been turned into the Inkwell Lofts condos, Robbie’s new project aims to foster the same sense of community, and of course, late-night coffee, that Inkwell was known for.
“We hope to bring new memories to this space,” his post reads. “Poetry nights, acoustic sets, an after-hours cappuccino. That’s what we remember. That’s the feeling we want to carry forward.”
While some locals who haunted the previous Inkwell don’t think this will be like the old location, Robbie says that isn’t the goal. While Inkwell had a distinct grungy, punk-rock vibe, Almost Home’s locations tend towards pastels and cozy, warm interiors.
The goal is to create another space where you can slow down, grab a coffee, read a book, journal, take someone on a date, listen to a poetry reading, catch live acoustic music on the weekends, and simply enjoy being present,” he shared.
This new space fills a gap that’s been missing ever since Inkwell closed its doors: a community-oriented space where people young and old can connect over shared interests—and coffee. For those nostalgic for the old menu, rest assured, Doran has shared that the iconic Dutch coffees will be on the new menu.
Almost Home Long Branch is open 7AM – 4PM Sunday-Wednesday and 7AM – 9PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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