A conversation that begins at home and carries into everything they’ve built
I was at Erika and Bryce Lamberto’s home during their cover shoot when our conversation naturally turned to the idea of home itself. Not as a concept, but as something lived every day.
For Erika and Bryce, home is comfort and joy. It’s where memories are made, usually surrounded by family. The way she spoke about it didn’t feel rehearsed. It felt lived in, something she carries with her rather than something she explains.
That intention is reflected throughout their home. Creating a space that felt peaceful and comforting was important, especially with children and pets. Everything needed to work for real life while still feeling grounding. It feels warm, curated, and lived in, the kind of space that supports the rhythm of a busy family.
Because Calabria Coffee is open seven days a week, work is part of their daily routine. Still, they’re very protective of the moments they get at home. There are after-school pickups, workouts in their home gym, family walks when the weather allows, and movie nights that don’t require much planning. It’s the small, everyday moments, Erika shared, that bring the most joy.
Before returning to the Mohawk Valley, the Lambertos lived in Las Vegas. While many people picture a completely different lifestyle, their day-to-day life there was fairly similar. They lived outside the Strip, and routines felt familiar. The real difference came down to pace. Then, work often meant later nights. Now, life starts earlier and feels steadier, more balanced.
Home, they explained, provides something business and family life sometimes cannot. It’s a safe haven. A place that brings calm in the middle of a chaotic day. Even though they work from home some days, there’s nowhere else they would rather be than right there, surrounded by the people and pets they love.
Some of their favorite moments are the simplest ones. Cooking or baking together. Snuggling by the fireplace. Family workout sessions. Mini dance parties. And one tradition they don’t budge on: decorating for Christmas starts immediately after Halloween and stays through the New Year. The magic, they believe, is worth holding onto.
Why the Mohawk Valley Feels Like Home
Coming back to Central New York felt natural. Both Erika and Bryce grew up in small towns, and Bryce is originally from New Hartford. Raising their family close to family and longtime friends was always part of what they hoped for.
What they love most about living here is the connection to nature and the changing seasons. Their home backs up to the woods, and wildlife is part of everyday life. It’s grounding in a way that feels deeply tied to this region.
When life and work get challenging, what keeps them here is the people. The team they’ve built and the genuine enjoyment they find in going to work every day. Beyond that, it’s the larger community. Supportive local businesses. A strong school system. Teachers who truly care. It’s a place where support feels real.
Their journey wouldn’t exist without the Mohawk Valley. Their family. Their friends. Other local businesses. Customers who became familiar faces and then friends. All of it made their dream possible.
Calabria Coffee as an Extension of Home
The idea for Calabria Coffee began during the pandemic, when the Lambertos were still living in Las Vegas. Every detail was written into a business plan before they even knew they would be moving. Erika laughed, joking that they made lemonade out of lemons, turning a difficult moment into something unexpectedly sweet.
From the moment people walk through the door, the goal has always been the same: a home away from home. Comfort. Joy. A clean space and a friendly face.
About a year after opening, there was a moment when it all truly sank in. You go through the motions every day, doing what needs to be done, and then one day you step back and look around and realize what you’ve created. Not just a café, but a community. A work family. Being part of that, she said, feels like a blessing.
When people say, “Let’s meet at Calabria,” they hope they feel excited. Happy. It’s never just been about the coffee, but about the people you find there. On any given day, Calabria brings together high school students on lunch break, college students studying, first dates, work meetings, interviews, and friends catching up. Being part of those everyday moments is what makes it all meaningful.
Looking Ahead
Looking five years down the road, Erika and Bryce hope their home and life here continue to represent something bigger than themselves. A lifestyle rooted in involvement, encouragement, and support. For their children. For their team. For the people around them.
For Erika and Bryce, success isn’t measured in milestones or titles. It’s about raising kind, caring, respectful, and compassionate humans who want to make the world a better place simply by being in it. In a time that can feel heavy with negativity, it’s easy to forget how powerful it can be to be a bright spot for someone else. Light and joy can be shared in simple ways, just by treating others with kindness.
Of all the ways to define success, that is the one that matters most.
Home is where the heart is.
