Canadian coffee chain lured to Batavia by tax breaks
A Canadian-based coffee chain is planning a location on Court Street with a "European style" formula, and the company is getting tax breaks that helped entice it to Batavia, according to an announcement by GCEDC today.
Coffee Culture stands to save $37,200 in taxes on its new equipment and building improvements to 6 Court St., and the company is also seeking property tax exemptions on the increased value the remodeled property will garner.
It's a program, according to GCEDC's Chad Zambito, that is available to any business, local or out of the area, that is investing at least $50,000 in its start up.
Ken Mistler, who is opening a coffee shop at Main and Jackson, declined the same assistance primarily because the timing of the process did not match Mistler's plans, Zambito said. Mistler was unavailable for comment this afternoon.
Coffee Culture plans to spend $330,000 to renovate the 2,500-square-foot location and turn it into a "high end" cafe and eatery. Initially, the business will be corporate-operated, but will be available to a potential franchise operator. It will offer free wi-fi, a plasma TV and meeting space.
Besides gourmet coffee, the chain offers breakfast and lunch sandwiches and desserts.
Zambito gave full credit to Don Burkel at the BID for getting GCEDC involved in the process of recruiting Coffee Culture to Batavia.