By CONNIE NOLEN / Community Columnist

“We’re open all day from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Kai Smith said. “I have a large group of customers who come by for their morning coffee and pick up one of our chicken salad wraps so they already have lunch for later.”

Kai’s Koffee’s chicken salad wraps are a new lunchtime favorite. Available in different flavors, the cranberry apple pecan chicken salad wrap is a favorite.

“I went with a local caterer for the chicken salad. It’s delicious and I really enjoy working with other small business owners,” Smith said.

Last year, Kai’s Koffee was open for rush times—breakfast and lunch initially—and then expanded to after-school hours to accommodate students. Kai’s Koffee’s free Wi-Fi allows teens to meet for coffee, snacks and quality time with friends. Multiple rooms also allow teens to accomplish group work and collaboration.

A recent Pelham High School Literary Magazine summer celebration brought teens back to Kai’s.

“I’ve missed these guys,” Smith said. A one-time teacher and a mom of teens herself, Kai Smith enjoys the energy of teenagers. In fact, Smith seems to fuel off of everyone’s energy. Recently, she moved her insurance agency to the same block as Kai’s Koffee allowing her to make a quick sprint between businesses so that she is always engaged with the community—in one business or another.

Adults are enjoying Kai’s as well. Her large back room has hosted karaoke events for a non-profit, community group meetings, and musical performances featuring Pelham High School’s very popular Stone Creek.

“We plan to keep having the Saturday musical events,” Smith said. “We’re going to begin them from 4-6, but if we’ve got a crowd, we will definitely stay open later.”

Kai’s Koffee also hosts a twice monthly Coffee and Conversations group on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Check out Kai’s Koffee’s Facebook or Twitter or just drop by at 2722A Chandalar Place Drive just off of highway 31 between CVS and Pump It Up. Friendly faces and delicious treats await at Kai’s Koffee.