What is in a name: A Story Behind Motif Roasters
Situated on Bradley Wharf in the harbor town of Rockport, Massachusetts, Motif #1 is a historic symbol in the world of visual arts. This fish shack, built during the 1840s, holds a place in the hearts of many artists and art historians. It has earned the distinction of being one of America's most frequently painted subjects. It was in the 1933 Worlds Fair, found in ads on stamps and in feature films.
Motif #1 gained prominence during Rockport's emergence as an artists' colony and fishing settlement. Its composition, enchanting lighting, and embodiment of New England maritime life made it an irresistible muse for painters. A motif in art represents a recurring design element, be it patterns, figures, shapes, or color schemes. Painter Lester Hornby christened it "Motif #1," a name that resonated deeply with the town's artists and gained widespread recognition. Artists such as Aldro Hibbard and the impressionist Harry Vincent (no known relation to Eoin) immortalized the shack in their works.
As a young resident of Rockport, Eoin Vincent, the owner and coffee roaster of Motif Roasters, spent many days working on Bearskin Neck, sailing Sandy Bay, or having an espresso at the Greenery in Dock Square with friends. Curious tourists would ask about the whereabouts of the Motif, whether the shack they saw was real, and the importance of this red building.
Motif started as the first coffee to what would become Motif Roasters. During a coffee brainstorming session, Eoin jokingly pondered the idea of a Kraken swallowing the Motif—Rockport's "20000 Leagues Under The Sea" moment. The coffee blend was born, and a few years later, it would be the name of the coffee roastery.
Motif Roasters borrows its name from Motif #1 and embodies the essence of a motif in its brand and products. Like artists employ recurring design elements in their works, Motif Roasters roasts coffee to accentuate its distinct flavor profile, offering an experience with each region and roast in every cup.