Ahhh, spring. Time to stop and smell the roses — and ogle the pansies, petunias, impatiens, geraniums and oodles of other annuals and perennials at Chuck Hafner’s Farmers Market and Garden Center in North Syracuse.
This year, you’ll notice the smell of coffee in the air. It’s coming (soon) from the Recess Coffee and Roastery “pop-up” cafe in the main building/entrance to the garden center.
Photo: chuckhafner.com
Starting April 18 (a Saturday) and continuing each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Recess will be serving coffee, espresso drinks, cold brew coffee, tea, hot chocolate and pre-made sandwiches and wraps, plus Recess’ signature baked goods (including vegan options) at the mecca for home gardeners and outdoor living enthusiasts.
Think of it as “two great local brands working together,” says Jon Allsebrook, marketing consultant for Chuck Hafner’s. “We’re excited. … “When spring does actually appear,” Allsebrook said last week, when there was still a touch of snow in the air, “the nursery will be full of thousands of plants — and coffee will be available.” Space is being made in the main building for the pop-up and some seating, and signage outside will point the way, Allsebrook adds.
The Chuck Hafner’s pop-up adds to Recess’ list of satellite cafes, including the Everson Museum of Art and Syracuse Stage. This cafe will be staffed and Recess employees will be on site, working the espresso machines and coffee makers.
Recess co-owner Jesse Daino is looking forward to the new partnership. They’ve done several pouring/tasting events at Chuck Hafner’s in recent weeks, and Recess coffee beans will be available for sale there, as well.
“We’re excited,” Daino says. “Any mobile thing we’ve done in the past has been kind of hit or miss… you don’t know until you try.”
Never been to Chuck Hafner’s? It’s a sprawling, 65,000 square-foot garden center with seven glass greenhouse structures. You could get lost there for an hour or more, perusing the annuals, perennials, vegetable plants, shrubs and trees, trellises, fountains, outdoor furniture, mulches and other lawn and garden items.
Pick up some Recess coffee beans for home brewing — and put the spent coffee grounds to use. They’re a nutrient-rich addition for your compost and soil.
For more information on Chuck Hafner’s, go to www.chuckhafner.com or visit Facebook
For information and updates on Recess, go to recesscoffee.com or Facebook.
Margaret McCormick is a freelance writer and editor in Syracuse. She blogs about food at eatfirst.typepad.com. Follow her on Twitter, connect on Facebook or email her at [email protected]
