Cultivated Sip & Dine House
Welcoming. Warm. Winsome. Those would be the first words that come to mind when entering the Cultivated Table and Sip House in downtown New Albany.
Newly open as of mid-April, they have already harnessed a loyal customer base and are quickly adapting to the needs of New Albanians. The vision? Paris. French blue, fresh flowers, delicious pastries and a variety of beverages.
Owner Tara Schremser first visited Paris in 2022 and ended up going back with her family for Christmas that same year.
“We went for two weeks and had such a great time and did it again and again,” she said. “Hospitality there is really great.”
It was a 2024 Paris Christmas trip that finally pushed her into saying yes to the coffee shop.
It was a 2024 Paris Christmas trip that finally pushed her into saying yes to the coffee shop.
“We had kind of been talking about it, but I was unsure of taking the plunge, but we decided when we were there to move ahead and started construction in mid-February.”
Schremser previously owned and operated Mrs. Potter’s Coffee in Louisville for seven years. She actually met her husband there — one of her regulars. They now, together, have six children and reside locally in Silver Hills.
After staying home for 10 years, Schremser said she didn’t think she would own a shop again. She actually pursued a master’s in global health and sustainable development during the pandemic but could not find something that would work with what she wanted for her life.
“I wanted to be able to make an impact, and I wasn’t finding anything that seemed like it would work where I could still be the engaged mom I had been, and so I thought maybe I can open up a small coffee shop in downtown New Albany,” she said.
After having a difficult last year with her previous coffee shop — owning a business while having a newborn, an 18-month-old, and a 9-year-old — she was concerned about opening another shop but pleasantly surprised to realize that just because it didn’t work then doesn’t mean it can’t work now.
“I come in and out. That was my big concern — our younger kids range from 2 to 12, so we’re still very much in the thick of raising kids, so the first thing I did after signing the lease was to try to find the right GM,” she said.
Her biggest strategy for creating the work/life balance she desires is hiring strong people she can delegate to.
“I might come in 6 to 8 in the morning, then come home and get the kids ready for school and then come back for a couple of hours … that’s where I’m at in my life,” she said. “I need to be able to have that flexibility. But I’ve realized I really enjoy working and using my brain.”
Schremser has many goals for the shop, but one she ended up accelerating was putting out menus. The original plan was to add food items later on, but there was such a demand that they now have limited breakfast, lunch and brunch menus. She is hoping to change the menu seasonally, as she often uses fresh ingredients from her home garden.
Schremser has many goals for the shop, but one she ended up accelerating was putting out menus. The original plan was to add food items later on, but there was such a demand that they now have limited breakfast, lunch and brunch menus. She is hoping to change the menu seasonally, as she often uses fresh ingredients from her home garden.
“I got connected with James Bridges, and he helped me find my bread baker, Julia,” she said. “That’s, for me, really special to have baguettes and fresh loaves of bread in my shop.”
They also make all of their sauces in-house, as Schremser is focused on doing things naturally with minimal processing while cutting down on waste. Many of the recipes are ones she has made for years, including the peanut butter smoothie she frequently makes for her kids.
They also make all of their sauces in-house, as Schremser is focused on doing things naturally with minimal processing while cutting down on waste. Many of the recipes are ones she has made for years, including the peanut butter smoothie she frequently makes for her kids.
She hopes the Parisian spirit is reflected in both the atmosphere and the experience and even has merchandise available in the shop.
“It’s nice to be able to grab something if you need it for a gift or to pick up a little something if you’re out of town,” she said.
In a full-circle moment, she sells cookie tins in the shop that are the specific tins she purchases herself on her visits to Paris.
The shop partners with local businesses, including 3D Valley, for all of their meats, and Schremser hopes to eventually feature local artistry in the shop as well as host events including baby sprinkles, rehearsal dinners and more.
“The most fun has been discovering how much I love doing this still. Discovering that I can work and be engaged in the way I want to be engaged with the kids — that’s been the most rewarding.”
“The most fun has been discovering how much I love doing this still,” she said. “Discovering that I can work and be engaged in the way I want to be engaged with the kids — that’s been the most rewarding.”
Schremser may have many long-term goals, but her overarching mission is simple — to make people feel welcome.
“We want people to be here. I want people to feel welcome and like they can sit and relax and enjoy that social connection with people. That’s my biggest goal. And to know they’re getting a really high-quality product.” •
To keep up with the Cultivated Table and Sip House, you can follow them on Facebook or Instagram or check out their website at cultivatedtable.com.
Story by Darian Decker
Photos by Michelle Hockman
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