Dottie's Coffee Lounge in Pittsfield is For SaleStaff Reports,
12:17PM / Friday, June 27, 2025 | |
 North Street mainstay Dottie's Coffee Lounge and adjacent Dorothy's Estaminet are on the market. |
Dottie's owner Jessica Rufo poses in this iBerkshires file photo.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dottie's Coffee Lounge is listed for sale after nearly two decades in business.
The business announced the news on social media on Thursday. Listed by Carrie Lobovits Wright of William Pitt Sotheby's Lenox office, the business at 438/444 North St. is for sale for $550,000 and includes the coffee shop as well as Dorothy's Estaminet in the former Mission Bar and Tapas.
It stipulates that the sale is for the business and fixtures only and does not include real estate. The coffeeshop had expanded into abutting spaces over the years.
"Seeking someone so special and so passionate to take over my first love, my first baby… my gift to this world….," a post on the Dottie's Facebook Page reads.
Owner Jessica Rufo opened the coffee shop in 2007 to bring New York City-style coffee to the community.
Both the shop and restaurant are named after her late grandmother, Dorothy "Dottie" Rufo, who passed away in 2019. Naming the space after her grandmother was a way to show her gratitude for her grandparents' help, plus she liked the way "Dottie's" sounded, she's said in the past.
"Dottie's Coffee Lounge & Dorothy's Estaminet, a beloved staple in the heart of Berkshire County, is now presenting a rare opportunity for new ownership," the listing reads.
"Renowned for its commitment to sustainability and locally sourced offerings, this legendary establishment has served as a community hub for food enthusiasts, coffee connoisseurs, and art and music lovers alike. This ethos has cultivated a loyal customer base and contributed to a sustainable community that values the connection between local produce, culinary excellence, and culture. This is more than a business transaction; it's a chance to carry on a legacy that has been an integral part of Berkshire County's fabric."
The space is 3,617 square feet.
In 2024, adjacent space, now named Dorothy's, was renovated to connect to the coffeehouse and expand on the "welcoming and interesting" vibe that patrons love about Dottie's but also combine it with a "louder," "swanky" "sparkly" nightlife, Rufo said in an interview with iBerkshires.
About 10 years ago, Dottie's expanded into what was formerly a barber shop and turned it into an art gallery space.
The coffeeshop has been an anchor for food and entertainment on North Street and a frequent campaign stop for state and federal politicians and candidates over the years, such as U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, Quentin Palfrey, Martha Coakley, and Shannon Liss-Reardon.
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