If you’re an early morning regular, Tammy Lateano has likely poured your cup of coffee.
Having worked at the Mountain Road location for more than four years, Lateano is a part of the scenery. Most customers first notice her long, artistic fingernails. Or maybe it’s the colorful streaks in her brown hair that stream down from under her work visor.
“I’m just different," she said. "When I was a little girl I always wanted long fingernails. I don’t smoke so this is my vice. I like to get pampered this way.”
But what customers really get to know is her shy but positive personality. They greet her by name and make sure they wave goodbye when they head out to their cars.
“I like it here,” Lateano said. “You get to know everybody. If I’m having a crappy day, certain customers come in and just make my day.”
“I like the customers and I like who I work with,” she added. “It’s not a drag here. It’s fun.”
Lateano lives in Suffield and has four children. Two are grown and two attend magnet high schools. Her life outside work typically revolves around spending time with her kids. For Mother’s Day, Lateano's kids gave her a gazebo for the backyard so she can relax and also detailed her truck, which is her other pride and joy.
“That’s my baby, the one with the skulls and the flames,” she said.
Lateano also keeps busy gardening, taking care of her cats and getting to know her new acquisition – her son’s dog.
“I’m the proud owner of a Pekingese,” she laughed, and explained she’s more the Rottweiler type. “It follows me everywhere.”
Her other hobbies include renting movies from the library and taking the dogs to local dog parks.
The next time you stop into the coffee shop be sure to say “good morning” to Lateano. She’s an early bird and happy to get you your morning java.
“My wake-up alarm is the cat playing,” she said. “It thinks it’s a dog.”
