By Carrie Byrne Putelo

There is something special about gathering around a table.

Some of life’s most meaningful moments happen over a meal. Birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, business meetings, family celebrations, and ordinary Tuesday nights all have a way of becoming memorable when good food and good company come together.

Restaurants are more than places to eat. They are gathering places. They are employers, community supporters, destinations for visitors, and often the backdrop for some of our favorite memories.

That is why we are proud to present Mohawk Valley Living’s Second Annual Restaurant Issue: A Taste of Summer.

This issue also celebrates Oneida County Restaurant Week, taking place July 6-15. It is the perfect opportunity to explore a new restaurant, revisit an old favorite, and support the local businesses that help make our communities stronger. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch, a memorable dinner, or your next hidden gem, there has never been a better time to discover everything our local dining scene has to offer.

We are honored to feature some of the people who help make the Mohawk Valley such a great place to dine on this month’s cover, including John W. Wade I, owner of Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse; Michael Palaia, owner, and Lee Woolver, executive chef of The American Hotel; Chris Destito, co-owner of Crust Kitchen & Bar; Marica Bellico, owner and chef of Nonna Maria Wood Fired Oven; and Kristen and Dana Leonard, owners of Origins Cafe.

We are especially grateful to Kristen and Dana Leonard for opening the doors of Origins Cafe for our cover shoot. Nestled among tropical plants, flowering greenery, and sun-filled glass walls, the greenhouse setting transports guests to another world. It’s a place where exceptional food, thoughtful hospitality, and a connection to nature come together beautifully, a fitting setting to celebrate the people helping shape the Mohawk Valley’s dining scene.

During our cover shoot, I had the opportunity to watch owners, chefs, and restaurateurs from across the region gather around one table. What struck me most was how quickly the conversation turned from business to shared experiences. They exchanged stories, talked about menu ideas, discussed favorite dishes, and made plans to visit one another’s restaurants. Despite representing different establishments, cuisines, and communities, there was an immediate sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.

What was equally striking was how different their journeys were. Some were born and raised in the Mohawk Valley. Others arrived from places hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Yet each has chosen to invest their talent, passion, and future in this region. Today, they all share something in common: they proudly call the Mohawk Valley home.

Beyond our cover story features, you’ll find restaurant spotlights, chef profiles, local favorites, and dining destinations from across the Mohawk Valley. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a great cup of coffee, authentic international cuisine, waterfront dining, a family dinner, or your next special occasion destination, we hope these pages inspire you to get out and explore.

Symeon Tsoupelis and his son were unable to join us for the cover photo shoot, but you’ll find them featured inside this issue. During a visit to the restaurant, we had the opportunity to see the two working side by side, a reminder that some of the Mohawk Valley’s most enduring restaurant traditions are built on family, hard work, and hospitality passed from one generation to the next.

Behind every restaurant is a story. Sometimes it’s a family recipe passed down through generations. Sometimes it’s a leap of faith, a lifelong dream, or a second career. But every story in these pages shares something in common: hard work, perseverance, and a genuine desire to bring people together. Restaurants may serve food, but what they really create are experiences, traditions, and connections that become part of our lives.

Most of all, we hope this issue inspires you to pull up a chair, try something new, support local, and spend a little more time around the table.

See you there.

ROOTED IN COMMUNITY

ORIGINS CAFE

Where Food, Farming & Connection Flourish

COOPERSTOWN | GREENHOUSE DINING & COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE

Nestled on a peaceful 50-acre homestead just outside Cooperstown, Origins Cafe is unlike anywhere else in the region. Part greenhouse restaurant, part community gathering place, and part educational hub, Origins has spent more than a decade cultivating meaningful connections between people, food, and the land.

Founded in 2012 by sisters Kristen Leonard and Dana Leonard, Origins grew from a family vision rooted in sustainability, local agriculture, and community. Guests are welcomed into a one-of-a-kind greenhouse setting where lush tropical trees, fragrant herbs, and flowering plants create an atmosphere that feels both inspiring and deeply connected to nature.

The idea behind Origins is simple: food choices have the power to create positive change. By supporting small family farms, organic growing practices, and the ethical treatment of animals, the cafe strives to make every meal part of something larger than itself.

That philosophy is reflected throughout the menu. Farmers and producers from across the Mohawk Valley supply many of the milk, cheese, meats, and seasonal ingredients featured in Origins’ ever-changing offerings. The restaurant’s culinary inspiration extends well beyond the region as well. Winter travels, international farm experiences, and visiting chefs regularly introduce new flavors and ideas that shape the menu while remaining grounded in local ingredients.

The result is a dining experience that changes with the seasons and reflects both the community and the world beyond it.

The Mohawk Valley remains an important part of the Origins story. Local educators, musicians, artisans, and farmers contribute to the experience guests encounter each season, helping create an environment where food, culture, and community come together.

Beyond the restaurant, Origins is equally committed to education. Through youth garden programs, wellness workshops, and community events, the team works to inspire deeper connections between people and the food they eat. Their after-school garden program gives children hands-on opportunities to learn where food comes from while developing meaningful relationships with the land around them.

As Origins looks toward the future, that mission continues to guide its work. Expanding opportunities for education, sustainability, and community engagement remains at the heart of what comes next.

For first-time visitors, however, there is one menu item that simply cannot be missed.

MUST TRY

Origins Carrot Cake

The Carrot Cake has always been a staple at Origins because it’s their mother’s favorite. Over the years, it has become one of the cafe’s most beloved signature offerings and a dessert guests return for season after season.

KRISTEN LEONARD & DANA LEONARD

Co-Owners

“We believe in the power of food and community to change the world. Together, with our food choices, we can co-create a future in which small farms prosper and biodiversity thrives. Change starts here!”

“Origins was born from a simple but powerful belief—that change starts within. Brent and Mary Leonard founded Carefree Gardens in 1984, the small garden center where daughters Kristen and Dana began to grow Origins in 2012. The family’s dream has always been to bring together the beauty of nature, the integrity of local farming, and the warmth of genuine community. By sourcing from small family farms, growing food in our own gardens, and serving a menu that changes with the seasons, we are creating change right here in our small town that ripples outward to all who visit.”

Origins Cafe
558 Beaver Meadow Road

607-437-2862

Website
originscafe.org

Facebook
facebook.com/originscafe

Instagram
@originscafe

ROOTED IN TRADITION 

DELMONICO’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE 

UTICA | ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE & TIMELESS HOSPITALITY

A Mohawk Valley Tradition of Excellence Since 2003

While the Delmonico’s brand, owned by John W Wade I, has expanded throughout New York and into Florida, the Utica location remains deeply connected to the community that helped make it a success. 

The Delmonico’s story began in Syracuse in 1998, followed by Albany in 2000. By that time, John had already spent decades in the restaurant industry, building and operating successful restaurant concepts across the country before creating the Delmonico’s brand. In 2003, John transformed his longtime Utica restaurant, formerly known as Jack Appleseed’s Tavern, into Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse. 

Inspired by the idea of combining a classic steakhouse with Italian cuisine, John created a concept that continues to resonate with guests today. 

For John, the restaurant’s success has always come down to one simple principle: consistency. That commitment has helped Delmonico’s become a destination for celebrations, family dinners, business meetings, and special occasions throughout the Mohawk Valley. 

The People Behind the Restaurant 

While guests may know Delmonico’s for its steaks and Italian specialties, John credits much of the restaurant’s success to the people who help bring the experience to life every day. 

John is quick to recognize the team behind Utica Delmonico’s success. Longtime leaders Jim Monte, Brian Wilk, Don Allison, Joe Bernos, Alex Wilk, John Wade II, and Michael Donaruma help maintain the consistency, culture, and guest experience that have become synonymous with the Delmonico’s name. Together with the restaurant’s servers, bartenders, hosts, hostesses, kitchen staff, and support team, they help deliver the consistent hospitality that has earned Delmonico’s generations of loyal guests. 

That culture starts with the way employees are treated. John has long believed that taking care of employees is just as important as taking care of guests. By investing in his people, supporting them through life’s milestones, and creating opportunities for growth, he has built a culture where employees feel valued and appreciated. Many members of the team have spent years with the company, and some have remained for decades, a testament to the culture John has worked to create. 

A Community Connection 

The Mohawk Valley has always been an important part of Delmonico’s story. Over the years, the restaurant has supported countless local organizations, charities, fundraisers, and community events while becoming a gathering place for residents throughout the region. 

John and his wife, Joanne Donaruma Wade, have built their lives around supporting the community that has stood by them for so many years. Together, they have become familiar faces at charitable events, fundraisers, and community initiatives throughout the Mohawk Valley, consistently finding ways to give back. 

For John and Joanne, success has never been measured solely by what happens inside the restaurant’s walls. Building strong relationships with employees, guests, and the community has helped create a restaurant that feels as much like a neighborhood institution as it does a dining destination. 

Looking Ahead 

As Delmonico’s prepares for its newest chapter with the upcoming opening of a second Florida location near Disney Springs in Orlando, the focus remains the same: maintaining the standards and culture that have defined the brand from the beginning. 

John Wade II has supported his father in the restaurant business for nearly 40 years and has been a champion in its success. 

Michael Donaruma has become increasingly involved in the company’s operations, construction projects, and future growth, helping lead the next chapter of the Delmonico’s story while preserving the values that have defined the brand for decades. 

As the brand continues to grow, every new location is designed to reflect the same quality, consistency, and hospitality guests have come to expect from Delmonico’s. 

MUST TRY 

The Delmonico Steak 

Named for the restaurant itself, the Delmonico steak remains the restaurant’s signature dish and a favorite among first-time visitors and longtime regulars alike. 

JOHN WADE 

Founder & Owner

“You have to be consistent with the food, consistent with the service, consistent with the people, and consistent with the experience. That’s what keeps guests coming back.” 

Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse 

147 North Genesee Street, Utica 

315-732-2300 

delmonicositaliansteakhouse.com 

Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse Locations

Utica, NY • Syracuse, NY • Rochester, NY • Albany, NY • Clifton Park, NY • Orlando, FL

Coming Soon: Lake Buena Vista, FL

COMMUNITY BUILDER

CRUST KITCHEN & BAR

Leading Through Action

UTICA & ROME | SANDWICHES, SALADS & BOWLS

For Chris Destito, the restaurant business has never simply been a career. It’s part of who he is.

Growing up in Rome, Chris learned the restaurant business firsthand through two local institutions that helped shape his family’s legacy, The Savoy and The Beeches. Long before becoming a business owner himself, he was immersed in hospitality, watching the dedication, relationships, and hard work required to build successful restaurants. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for the industry.

That foundation eventually led him overseas, where he trained in Italy and gained a deeper appreciation for food, culture, and the traditions that help create memorable dining experiences. Those experiences, combined with the lessons learned growing up in the family business, would later help shape the vision behind Crust Kitchen & Bar.

Today, Chris serves as co-owner of Crust Kitchen & Bar alongside longtime business partner Frank Belmont. Together, the pair have grown Crust into one of the Mohawk Valley’s most popular dining destinations, with locations in both Rome and Utica. Their partnership combines complementary strengths, shared values, and a commitment to quality that has helped define the Crust brand.

Chris’s connection to the Mohawk Valley extends beyond the restaurant business. Having grown up in a family deeply involved in hospitality and community engagement, he understands firsthand how local businesses can help shape the identity of a region. That perspective continues to influence both his work at Crust and his commitment to numerous community organizations and events throughout the area.

“Our region has been blessed with a lot of people that fought relentlessly to keep it moving forward, always redefining what it is and staying relevant,” he says. “I hope to be considered part of that continued progress and to contribute in a meaningful way.”

At Crust, culture is just as important as the menu. Chris and Frank believe great businesses are built by great people.

“One lesson we have learned over time is the end product of a business is the product of your team. Without them we are nothing.”

That philosophy is reflected throughout the restaurant. Fresh ingredients, scratch-made recipes, and a commitment to quality have helped Crust build a loyal following in both Rome and Utica. From handcrafted sandwiches and salads to hearty soups and bowls, the focus remains on creating food people genuinely enjoy while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere where guests feel comfortable returning again and again.

Whether he’s helping shape the future of tourism, organizing community events, or greeting guests at Crust, Chris remains focused on investing in the community that helped shape him and ensuring the Mohawk Valley continues moving forward.

CHRIS DESTITO

Co-Owner

MUST TRY

The Negotiator

One of Crust’s most popular sandwiches, The Negotiator features fried chicken cutlet, provolone, roasted red peppers, smoked bacon, fresh basil, mayo, and a spicy Calabrian chili spread with honey on ciabatta. It’s a perfect example of the bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and scratch-made approach that have helped define the Crust experience.

FEATURED QUOTE

“The thing I like most about Crust is that it’s a “Come as you are” kind of place. Whether you’re getting out of work, the gym, or off the couch you’re welcome here.”

CRUST KITCHEN & BAR

330 Main Street, Utica, NY 13501

86 Hangar Road, Unit 101B, Rome, NY 13441

(315) 790-5477 (Utica)

(315) 533-7700 (Rome)

🌐 crustkitchencny.com

Facebook: Facebook: Crust Kitchen & Bar, Crust Kitchen & Bar Utica

Restoring a Landmark, Building a Community

THE AMERICAN HOTEL

SHARON SPRINGS | HISTORIC INN, RESTAURANT & GATHERING PLACE

Some opportunities are found. Others seem to find you.

For Michael Palaia and Marco Braeutigam, owners of The American Hotel, a Memorial Day weekend trip to Sharon Springs became the beginning of an entirely new chapter. What was supposed to be a quick two-hour drive to visit Beekman 1802 with a friend turned into a three-and-a-half-hour road trip and, as it turned out, a bit of a beautiful miscalculation.

While exploring the village, Michael noticed a for-sale sign and casually asked E.H. Rural Provisions owner Eileen Harcourt about it. The sign belonged to The American Hotel. As Eileen shared stories about the historic property and the void left by the passing of longtime co-owner Doug Plummer, Michael’s curiosity grew.

There was only one problem: the realtor was unavailable, and Michael and Marco were simply passing through town for the afternoon.

Then fate intervened.

The owner happened to be at the property and spent more than two hours personally showing them the hotel. Before they left, he told the couple he had a very good feeling about them and believed his late husband would have felt the same.

By the time they drove home, something had shifted.

Marco was working remotely. Michael had recently been offered a promotion and was considering his next chapter. The timing seemed impossible to ignore. Two weeks later they returned with an engineer and contractor. A little over a month after their first visit, they were under contract.

On December 30, 2024, they officially became the owners of one of Sharon Springs’ most beloved landmarks.

The months that followed brought renovations, historic preservation requirements, staffing challenges, and countless unexpected hurdles. Yet the couple approached each obstacle with the same perspective.

“If we hit a speed bump, we’d pump the brakes. If we hit a brick wall, we’d turn around.”

Michael and Marco kept moving forward.

Following a complete kitchen renovation, The American Hotel once again welcomed overnight guests and diners, restoring an important gathering place for both residents and visitors.

What quickly became clear was that this was never simply a business venture.

It was a labor of love.

Since arriving in Sharon Springs, Michael and Marco have immersed themselves in the community, building relationships with local merchants, artists, farmers, organizations, and fellow Main Street business owners. Rather than imposing a vision from the outside, they have worked to honor the hotel’s history while helping shape its next chapter alongside the people who care deeply about it.

That collaborative spirit extends into the restaurant.

Executive Chef Lee Woolver, a familiar face to longtime guests of The American Hotel, returned to lead the kitchen and help shape the menu. One standout is Chef Lee’s Jäger Schnitzel, served with braised red cabbage, egg noodles, and mushroom gravy. Before it ever appeared on the menu, Lee prepared it for Michael and Marco to taste. Marco, who grew up in Germany, took one bite and gave his approval. Today, it remains one of the restaurant’s most requested dishes.

Guests arrive for many reasons: dinner reservations, weekend getaways, Sunday brunch, or simply to experience Sharon Springs for the first time. What they often discover is something more meaningful than a meal or a night’s stay.

They find connection.

Connection to the history of the building, the people who have shaped it across generations, and a community investing its heart in the future of the village.

For Michael and Marco, The American Hotel has become far more than an opportunity. It has become a home, a purpose, and a place where history, hospitality, and community continue to come together every day.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL

192 Main Street, Sharon Springs, NY 13459

(518) 284-2105

americanhotelny.com

Facebook: The American Hotel

Instagram: @theamericanhotel_ny

FROM NAPOLI WITH LOVE

NONNA MARIA WOOD FIRED OVEN

Bringing the Flavors of Naples to the Mohawk Valley

LITTLE FALLS | AUTHENTIC NEAPOLITAN PIZZA

For Marica Bellico, opening Nonna Maria Wood Fired Oven was never simply about serving pizza. It was about sharing a piece of home.

Located in the historic Stone Mill in Little Falls, Nonna Maria was inspired by the women who shaped Marica’s life and love of food—her mother Maria and grandmothers Maria and Giovanna. The restaurant’s name serves as a tribute to family, tradition, and the values that continue to guide every pizza that leaves the wood-fired oven.

Originally from Napoli, Italy, Marica arrived in the Mohawk Valley more than a decade ago. When she opened Nonna Maria in June 2024, she set out to introduce guests to authentic Neapolitan pizza prepared the way she grew up enjoying it. At the heart of the menu is a signature dough recipe based on her mother’s recipe, undergoing a lengthy fermentation process that creates exceptional flavor, a light texture, and remarkable digestibility.

Every pizza is baked using traditional Neapolitan techniques, producing the soft, airy crust and delicate char that have made Naples famous around the world. Carefully selected ingredients—some imported directly from Italy and others sourced locally—help tell the story of Marica’s heritage while connecting it to the community she now calls home.

That connection to the Mohawk Valley has played a vital role in the restaurant’s success. From the day Nonna Maria opened its doors, local residents embraced not only the food but also the story behind it. Their support has helped transform a dream into a thriving business and allowed Marica to continue investing in the experience she hopes every guest enjoys.

As Nonna Maria celebrates its first anniversary, Marica remains focused on growth while staying true to the traditions that inspired the restaurant from the beginning. Her goal is not simply to serve great food, but to create a place where people can gather, share authentic Italian culture, and feel genuinely welcomed.

One year after taking a leap of faith, she is grateful for the people who helped make it possible—from her team and Assistant Manager and Pizza Master Domonik Chatterton to Overlook Ridge Development and the Mohawk Valley community that embraced her vision from the very beginning.

For Marica, Nonna Maria is still a work in progress, but one built on passion, perseverance, and the belief that great food has the power to bring people together.

MARICA BELLICO

Owner

“Pizza is in my blood. One year after opening our doors, I’m grateful every day for the team and community that helped turn this dream into reality.”

MUST TRY

Margherita Pizza

Featuring San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil, the Margherita showcases the simple, authentic flavors that define traditional Neapolitan pizza. For something uniquely Nonna Maria, guests also love the signature Nonna Pizza topped with sausage and fresh lemon zest.

“Opening Nonna Maria was one of the biggest leaps of faith I’ve ever taken—second only to moving here from across the world. I didn’t come from a family of pizzeria owners, and I had no experience running a restaurant, but I grew up in Napoli where pizza is part of everyday life, culture, and identity. My vision has always been to share an authentic taste of my hometown while creating a place where people feel welcomed like family. None of this would be possible without my incredible team, the support of Overlook Ridge Development, and the Mohawk Valley community that embraced our dream from the very beginning. One year later, we’re still learning, growing, and improving every day, and that’s what makes this journey so exciting.”

NONNA MARIA WOOD FIRED OVEN
410 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY 13365
(315) 417-3388
nonna-maria-wood-fired-oven.cloveronline.com
Facebook: Nonna Maria Wood Fired Oven
Instagram: @nonnamaria_woodfiredoven

GREEK HERITAGE

SYMEON’S GREEK RESTAURANT

A Mohawk Valley Tradition Since 1973

NEW HARTFORD | AUTHENTIC GREEK CUISINE & FAMILY HOSPITALITY

For more than five decades, Symeon’s Greek Restaurant has been introducing Mohawk Valley diners to the flavors, traditions, and hospitality of Greece. What began when Symeon Tsoupelis’ parents opened the restaurant in 1973 has grown into one of the region’s most beloved dining destinations, known for authentic Greek cuisine and a warm family atmosphere.

From the beginning, the restaurant’s success has been rooted in the community. When Symeon’s parents first opened their doors, they were embraced by the Mohawk Valley, a support that helped transform a family dream into a lasting local institution. More than 50 years later, that relationship remains at the heart of everything the restaurant does.

Authenticity continues to define the dining experience. The menu is inspired by family recipes that have been passed down through generations, allowing guests to experience traditional Greek flavors prepared with care and consistency. Whether it’s a first visit or a weekly tradition, diners are welcomed like family and treated to the same hospitality that has defined the restaurant from the beginning.

For first-time guests, Symeon recommends starting with two longtime favorites: the calamari and the restaurant’s signature souvlaki. Together, they offer a delicious introduction to the flavors and traditions that have made Symeon’s a Mohawk Valley favorite for decades.

While honoring its heritage, the restaurant also looks toward the future. Symeon is proud that many members of the team have been with the restaurant for years, helping maintain the consistency and service guests have come to expect. He is equally excited that his son has decided to join the family business and is currently learning every aspect of the operation, helping prepare the next generation to carry the tradition forward.

At its core, Symeon’s remains a place where family, food, and community come together. For guests who may be unfamiliar with Greek cuisine, Symeon has one simple message: don’t be afraid to try something new.

SYMEON TSOUPELIS

Owner

“It is better to be in the giving line than the receiving line. We have been very heavily involved in our community that has supported us for years and this has always been our philosophy.”

MUST TRY

Calamari & Souvlaki

For first-time visitors, Symeon recommends starting with the calamari and the restaurant’s signature souvlaki, two longtime guest favorites that showcase the authentic flavors and traditions that have defined the menu for generations.

“My father always said to treat your customers like family, never cut corners or portions, serve the freshest ingredients and ‘if you got time to lean, you got time to clean!'”

SYMEON’S GREEK RESTAURANT
4941 Commercial Drive, New Hartford, NY
(315) 736-4074
Symeons.com
Facebook: Symeon’s Greek Restaurant
Instagram: @symeons_greek_restaurant

THE PERFECT PAIRING

CALABRIA COFFEE × HONEY & SALT

Brewing Community Together

NEW HARTFORD | COFFEE, BAKERY & COMMUNITY

Two local businesses, one shared commitment to quality, creativity, and the community they call home.

——————————————–

Some of the best partnerships happen organically.

For Bryce and Erika Lamberto, owners of Calabria Coffee, and Trisha Gordon, owner of Honey & Salt, what began as a simple pop-up event has grown into a collaboration built on creativity, friendship, and a shared commitment to quality.

Honey & Salt began as an in-home bakery in 2020, specializing in custom orders before expanding into a brick-and-mortar location in New Hartford in 2023. Since opening its storefront, Gordon has built a loyal following through cozy pop-up events featuring rotating menu favorites such as cookies, coffee cake, cinnamon buns, shortbread cookies, and almond paste cookies. Specialty offerings including keto bars, cheesecake, honey oat bites, holiday cookie platters, and seasonal ravioli have helped make Honey & Salt a destination for both everyday treats and special occasions.

Just down the road, Bryce and Erika Lamberto have built Calabria Coffee into a gathering place in the heart of the Village of New Hartford. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, comfortable seating, modern décor, and friendly staff, Calabria offers everything from espresso-based drinks and drip coffee to matcha, smoothies, teas, refreshers, and grab-and-go food items. With indoor and outdoor seating, free WiFi, and a steady calendar of community events and local business pop-ups, the café has quickly become a favorite meeting spot for residents and visitors alike.

The partnership between the two businesses began shortly after Calabria Coffee’s grand opening, when Honey & Salt was invited to participate as the café’s first pop-up vendor. The connection was immediate.

“It wasn’t long after that we decided to partner together and start carrying various baked goods,” they explain.

Today, visitors can regularly find Honey & Salt favorites alongside Calabria’s handcrafted beverages, creating pairings that have become customer favorites. Calabria’s signature Calabria Mocha remains its most ordered drink, while the fresh daily Cold Brew on tap and Green Tea Matcha Latte continue to attract devoted fans. Honey & Salt’s chocolate chip cookies remain the bakery’s original must-try item, although seasonal favorites like the Lavender Honey Cookie and the wildly popular Elvis Cookie have earned enthusiastic followings of their own.

Together, the businesses have also developed collaborative offerings, including a Coffee Cheesecake featuring Calabria’s espresso that consistently sells out whenever it appears in-store.

For first-time visitors, they recommend a few standout pairings:

• Honey & Salt Cinnamon Bun paired with Calabria’s French Toast Latte

The success of both businesses is deeply rooted in the community they serve.

“We wouldn’t have had a platonic meet-cute if it wasn’t for the Mohawk Valley! Being part of this community and being able to organically grow our business through customer interactions, friendships and business partnerships has been instrumental in both our success and long-term growth.”

That sense of community extends beyond customers and into their own working relationship. Both point to the creative freedom their partnership provides, along with the flexibility, transparency, and understanding required to successfully balance two growing businesses.

Most importantly, they value the friendship that has developed along the way.

As they look toward the future, both businesses are excited to continue collaborating on events, developing new products, and finding fresh ways to serve their customers.

Their philosophy remains simple:

“Community grows together – building friendships and partnerships along the way while keeping customer service and quality products at the forefront. Bringing people with you as you grow is way more fun than growing alone!”