Sarah Dibben

This interview with Sarah Dibben was conducted on June 18, 2019 in the Blue Room of Solaris in Hudson, New York. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Sarah describes the trajectory of her 20-year career as a pastry chef and baker as well as her role as a working mother of three. In her story, she reflects on the difficulty in establishing a balance between those competing roles, especially when she was a new mother. She discusses her family’s transition to Hudson 10 years ago with the intention of owning a Mom-and-Pop coffee shop with a community feel and a commitment to use local, sustainable ingredients. She shares her observations on the significant impact one person or small group can have and the importance of giving back. As a not-so-recent transplant to Hudson, Sarah provides insight into the sometimes contentious relationship between locals and newer residents caused by ongoing change, development, and decreasing affordability.

She ends by relaying her hopes for the city’s future, the sense of belonging she feels in Hudson, and her gratitude for still liking her husband after being together many years. Sarah currently owns, operates, and bakes for her family’s newest coffee shop, the Supernatural Coffee.

This interview may be of interest to those who wish to learn about the sense of community and agency created by the people and leaders of Hudson; the challenges and enjoyment of establishing and owning a coffee shop; the perspective and daily life of a working mother; the complications and excitement of the culinary world; and the reciprocity between business owner and patron, community and residents.