The Works Café

The Works Café is a Coffee Shop in Manchester, NH, located at 1000 Elm St. It holds a 4.30 rating based on customer reviews.

The Works Café began in 1988 in Manchester, Vermont, and currently operates eleven cafés across New England, including locations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The menu features artisanal sandwiches, traditional New York-style bagels, organic quinoa bowls, and chef-inspired salads with local greens. The café serves local cage-free eggs, naturally cured meats, and baked goods made with unbleached, unbromated flour. Cheddar cheese and butter are sourced from the Cabot farm co-op. Most ingredients are prepared in-house from scratch, including flavored cream cheeses, roasted vegetables, and spreads, which are hand-chopped and blended daily.

The company operates on a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. A refillable mug policy has been in place since 1988. The café supports local suppliers and sustainable practices, avoiding agribusiness with pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones. When refurbishing spaces, the business uses non-toxic, reclaimed, and energy-efficient materials such as mineral wool insulation, cellulose, and Vermont slate. The Works Café pays hourly employees up to 20 hours of volunteer time per year and gives managers paid time off to serve on local boards. The business provides food for local food banks and shelters, offers local CSA drop-off and pick-up spots, and donates bagels and cream cheese to community groups. It also initiated community meetings to raise awareness of homeless needs and secured a grant for the Hillside Springs High Hoop Greenhouse.

The Works Café has received the Best of New Hampshire Reader’s Choice award for bagels since 2002, a BOB Award for coffee from the New Hampshire Business Review, and the New Hampshire Business Excellence Award. It was also named to the QSR 40/40 list for 2022 and received a 40 Under 40 award from the Manchester Union Leader. The café is a founding member of the New England Business for Social Responsibility and participates in statewide Green Up days and the Bike to Work initiative. It is known for its commitment to healthy, locally sourced food and active community involvement in Manchester.

The Works Café is situated on Elm Street in Manchester, NH, about a tenth of a mile from the YMCA and Manchester City Hall.

Services:

• Artisanal sandwiches & NY-style bagels
• Casual catering & signature platters
• Community-conscious sourcing
• Loyalty rewards & gift cards
• Organic quinoa bowls & chef-inspired salads