Gregory Pope and his son Gregory Pope Jr. chose Natick as the first Massachusetts location for a Sweetwaters Coffees and Teas franchise, and they have not been disappointed! “The community has been great! On opening day, we had a line down the sidewalk of people who wanted to support us,“ said the younger Pope. The son, who graduated in 2016 from nearby Regis College, said although this is his first business venture with his father as his partner, the pair knew that something entrepreneurial was going to come out of their relationship sooner than later. “We weren’t sure what it was going to be, but we finally honed in on the café after a trip to Ann Arbor for Sweetwaters’ Discovery Day,” he said. What lured the duo to this particular franchise? “While we were in Ann Arbor, we were able to taste test their products. Sweetwaters focus is on real ingredients. We did taste tests vs competitors drinks and compared ingredients. It was really eye opening and the side by side tests were really convincing to us. We also loved the way they gave their guests an enjoyable, relaxed environment to sit and unwind or even work”, said Pope, who lives in Natick with his fiancé Liz and their new puppy. The café has moved on from its fall, pumpkin-themed beverages to its winter/holiday items. One of their most popular this season so far is the Peppy Bark Mocha—the perfect blend of espresso, peppermint bark and chocolate. “It has been very popular!“ said Pope. There are two other seasonal favorites, as well: The Let it Snow Latte, which is a Vanilla latte with a ribbon of peppermint bark; and a Candy Cane Cocoa, which is a delicious cocoa gets a peppermint twist. Choose any of those three to feel cozy during these cool winter months! While Sweetwaters focus is on Coffee & Tea, they do offer a variety of light fare items. While Sweetwaters focus is on Coffee & Tea, they do offer a variety of light fare items. Start your morning off with a bagel or biscuit breakfast sandwich. If it’s lunch you need, grab one of their delicious pretzel roll sandwiches—savory deliciousness! Some days it might just be a sweet treat you need. In that case, try one of their brownies or other cookies and pastries. There’s even a gluten-free option for those who need it! The owners even remembered everyone’s furry friend, dogs. For $1, your dogs could enjoy a pup cup! And if you enjoyed the coffee or tea that you ordered, feel free to bring some home with you. The café sells bags of coffee and loose-leaf tea. As if the offerings weren’t tantalizing enough, there’s also an app which makes ordering a snap. Download from the Apple or android app stores and choose your closest location as Natick. You will be able to get directions, store hours, and the entire menu. It’s as easy as checking off the items you want to order, customizing them if you need to, then paying and placing the order. With the pandemic in full force, seating is obviously limited, but that doesn’t mean the owners have in-person hopes for the future. “We want it to be a place where people come to meet their friends, and come to participate in community gatherings, “said the son. The location, which sits at 19 South Main St., boasts almost 2000 sf of space, including a meeting space that the Pope duo hopes will become a community gathering spot. Sweetwaters is already on its way to making its mark in the community. In its first month, there was a fundraiser for the Natick Center Cultural District, which raised more than $400 for the organization. The cafe displays local artists paintings as well as chalk wall art. “The community of Natick has been so wonderful and welcoming to us so far. We can’t wait to see what the future brings, “said Pope