Coffeehouse changes name to avoid lawsuit
Under threat of a lawsuit, a Verona coffeehouse and gift shop has changed its name to avoid trademark infringement with an East Coast coffee company.
Indigo Coffee and Tea, 300 S. Main St., is now called Tuvalu Coffeehouse and Gallery, following the threat of a court fight from Indigo Coffee Roasters in Northampton, Mass.
"We were sad we had to change our name," said Tuvalu owner Erika Hotchkiss, "but we want to be sure our customers know ownership has not changed and hope our new name reflects more of who we area."
Hotchkiss said she didn't want to go through the expense of litigation with the other company, so the name of the Verona establishment was changed before any suit was filed.
"We were aware of their existence, but as a coffee roaster, their business focus is different than ours and they have no presence in this area," Hotchkiss said. "We didn't think it (the name) would be a problem."
Tuvalu's Web site is www.tuvalucoffeehouse.com.
File photo
Erika Hotchkiss has changed the name of her business from Indigo Coffee and Tea to Tuvalu Coffeehouse and Gallery.
