Historical Society Obtains Sand Point Coffee Shop

The Prudence Island Historical and Preservation Society is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Sand Point Coffee Shop for use as its headquarters.  Louis Del Papa donated the building in memory of his late wife Margaret (Margie).  The Society plans to use the building for office space, display of historical island memorabilia and storage of archival materials.  It will also serve as a memorial to Margie's preservation efforts on the island, in particular, her major role in obtaining the Prudence Island Lighthouse license from the U. S. Coast Guard and her interest in basket weaving.

The Sand Point Coffee Shop was built in 1955 by Louis’ parents, Louis and Margaret Del Papa.  For many years, this was a popular place to get meals or snacks, as well as a few groceries and the daily newspaper.  People could sit at a counter or table and enjoy home-style cooking, freshly baked goods and candy from the penny counter.  In addition to the Del Papa family, many islanders of all ages worked there as cook-helpers, dishwashers and waitresses.  One regular customer, Nick Araujo, painted a mural on the wall in the dining area; it is still there today.

Although the coffee shop was a thriving summer business, it was quite labor intensive.  In 1959, with their sons Louis in the National Guard and Bob in the Coast Guard, it became too difficult to run the shop.  The Del Papas leased the business to other people and finally sold it in the early 1960s.  In 1984, Louis and Margie Del Papa, the son and daughter-in-law of the original owners, bought the building.  They had hoped to use the building as a basketry shop, as Margie weaved baskets using natural fibers and sometimes dyes from plants and berries growing on Prudence Island.  Unfortunately, these plans did not fully materialize because of her untimely death in 2005.  The Society plans to mount a permanent display of Margie's award-winning work.