Lambertville Says Goodbye to Bucks on Bridge Coffee Shop

Bucks on Bridge, the beloved coffee shop located on Bridge Street in the center of Lambertville, has closed. The owner, Babs Simon, has retired.

“It’s bittersweet,” Babs said. “There are tears in my eyes.”

With its wooden countertops, cozy atmosphere, and arguably some of the best window seats in town for people-watching, Bucks on Bridge earned a reputation over its 17 years in business as a cultural coffee destination for residents, visitors, and tourists alike.

Bean There, Done That

Babs had worked as a teacher for nearly a decade when she began to consider other career paths.

In 2009, her son Matthew informed her that a coffee shop business was for sale in Lambertville, NJ.

“You can do this,” he told her.

“I never dreamed of having a coffee shop,” Babs said.

She thought it would be temporary, but she ended up loving it.

Babs’ mother had lent her some money to get the business off the ground. Her father, however, wouldn’t loan her anything. Her mother was from Morristown and her father was from Perth Amboy. Over the years, Babs has had many customers from Morristown, but no customers have ever told her they came from Perth Amboy.

“Sometimes I believe in angels,” Babs said.

When she started, she knew nothing about business—let alone running a coffee shop. There were even a few times, when things were quiet in the middle of winter, that she questioned whether or not having her own place was the right choice.

Still, she just kept going.

Come for the Coffee, Stay for the Company

Babs’ customers varied from local regulars to tourists from Europe and New York.

Dogs were always allowed in, because the health inspector never said they weren’t.

“As long as they didn’t bite anybody or pee on the floor, they were welcome here. The same with people,” Babs joked.

In the earlier days, she sold locally sourced coffee until her NJ-based supplier retired. For the past ten years she has served Booskerdoo Coffee from Asbury Park, after connecting with them at a Coffee Fest event in New York City. All of the baking she did herself.

“I was my own boss here. I had to learn how to become decisive and make decisions,” Babs said, gazing towards the cappuccino maker. “This is the happiest I’ve ever been. Lambertville is such a diverse community. Everybody is welcome here.”

During her last few days in business, customers would notice and read the small sign displayed by the register that announced Babs’ retirement. Each person had a reaction.

“You will be missed,” said one customer.

“I’ve been coming here a long time,” said another.

We all intersect with each others’ lives. When your favorite coffee shop closes, your preferred space to relax, draw, write, read, and socialize also disappears. The loss changes and impacts your life. You won’t be able to buy your favorite familiar coffee or hand-baked pastry that always made you feel a little better, even if just for the moment.

When you no longer get to say hello to the proprietor—who has always been there playing their role in the movie that is your life—suddenly everything is different.

Grounds for Celebration

People from far and wide gathered at the coffee shop on Sunday, August 23, 2026, to be present at the Grande Closure party on Babs’ last day in business.

Paula Miller drove up from Aston, PA to attend.

“I came here off and on before COVID,” Paula explained. “After COVID I came here often. It became very important in my life to be able to sit in Babs’ shop to enjoy the atmosphere. I’ll miss it because I made new friends here—Babs and others. I can’t sit and do my artwork just anyplace. I have to feel at peace, and at home. It was a nice creative space for me.”

“Bucks on Bridge was where I could go and get unconditional love,” said local resident Bella Rattan at the Grande Closure party. “I met new friends here, and I could catch up with people I know. Lambertville won’t be the same without it.”

Spencer Blevins said he had been getting several lattes per day in the week leading up to the close of the business, because he knew that he won’t be able to go there in the future.

“Besides music, my other major passion is coffee,” Spencer said. “It’s definitely sad to see it going through a change, but it feels more like a transition.”

Rumor has it that the building owner’s family is going to open a cafe in the same location.

Goodbye Daily Grind

Now that she’s retired, Babs looks forward to not working 10 hours each day. She plans to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She also wants to re-learn how to ride a bike, continue dog and cat sitting, and get her first tattoo.

“It’s going to be a coffee cup with steam coming out of it,” she said. “To remember.”

Some things she’s not looking forward to in retirement include having to make her own coffee and missing the people, their dogs, and the friends she’s made.

“All the friends I have I’ve met through the shop: Anne Marie, Sheila, Maureen, Brenda, Suzie, and others. It’s been 17 great years,” Babs said. “I’m going to cry, and usually only two things make me cry: taxes and the dentist.”

She rubbed her eyes.

“My life became more meaningful and purposeful since having the coffee shop. I thank the customers and regulars for being part of my life, and for making it so joyous.”