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Bringing a fresh new vibe to Main Street

Anna Deevers is eager to get her new business opened within about a month. Millie Coffeehouse and Exhale Yoga will share the totally renovated space at 227 E Main St.

by Marsha Chartrand

As the owner of Exhale Yoga for the past seven years, Anna Deevers will again have a consistent spot for her classes and, just as exciting, she is combining it with a new endeavor, Millie Coffeehouse, with a lifelong friend as her silent partner.

Deevers is bringing a “family-owned, family-style“ atmosphere to her expanding business, located at 227 E Main St, and it all starts with the name.

“Millie is my mother,“ she explains. “She my best friend; we have a very close relationship. Being able to attach her name to this business gives me an opportunity to express a whole range of family-related themes to it … comfort, welcome, ‘Stay for a while and relax,‘ ‘What do you need … what can we get for you?’”

And in the realm of “What can we get for you,” Millie will serve a wide variety of teas, smoothies, chai, lattés, decaf, skinny … and delicious treats sourced from local bakers and bakeries, in keeping with the family theme. Not to mention, there will be excellent coffee! Online ordering will be available, and delivery service to downtown businesses is being considered.

“I love good coffee. So I’ve found a bean company, also family-owned, where I can get the beans directly from the farm to me, so I know exactly what I’m getting,” Deevers explains. ”Our syrups, too, are from a family owned, free-trade company. Everything is USA made. We are working on creating our own recipes, experimenting with unique flavors, and coming up with something just a little different. I’m trying to keep everything to our roots.”

“Roots“ is a common theme in Deevers business. The decor is based on natural textiles, natural wood bar and countertops, and there will be a lot of greenery in the coffeehouse and the yoga studio to bring in extra oxygen and a more natural, open, and comfortable atmosphere to the entire building.

And, of course, yoga is also an essential, back-to-the-roots practice. “Yoga is at my heart,” Deevers says. “It seems like everyone is struggling these days. We all need a place to let go — to center, to meditate, to breathe … to feel stronger, like a better person when we walk out. That my goal with Exhale Yoga.”

She will offer a variety of styles of yoga, Monday through Saturday — Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Power Yoga, Flow, Gentle (for 50+), Dance Yoga, and Therapeutic Yoga, along with Reiki, alignment, and workshops on nutrition, Wim Hof (a restorative breathing method), and even kids’ classes. A schedule of classes soon will be posted on the new website, exhalemanchester.com (currently still under construction).

“I’m here to bring business to Manchester,” she concludes. ”We will be trying new things and seeing what works best, but we are looking forward to bringing something new and different to Main Street.”

Both the yoga studio and coffeehouse expect to open in late August.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.