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Poll: Looking for a good cup of joe...

By Philip Anselmo

All the lights are extinguished. All the percolators are turned off, the swizzle sticks packed away and the steamers have all run out of steam. It's official... the end of an era.

Main Street Coffee is closed.

We would like to wish former proprietor Rob Credi the best of luck in his future endeavors. Credi took us in when we were still crawling, just learning how to walk, back in May. Main Street Coffee was the home base for The Batavian for several months before we procured an office of our own. We were always treated like family there. And we'll always consider it our home away from home. We hope that right now Credi is still sleeping, for once not having to get up before dawn to help us start our day with a fresh cup of coffee and a hot bagel sandwich.

All that being said, what do we do now? Where do we go now for a good cup of coffee served with class and culture and often—especially in the case of Credi—a touch of comedy? Let's take it to the polls... I'll tell you all right now that I'm voting for Hot Shots. I've always been and plan to remain a staunch supporter of locally-owned and operated cafés. So that's me. How about you? 

Who's got the best cup of coffee in Batavia?
( surveys)
Brett Podkanowicz

This place had a great run. I've gotten to know Credi playing hockey with him over the past couple of years, and he is a smart, funny and charismatic guy. Good luck man!

Jan 5, 2009, 2:05pm Permalink
lazario Ladou

What happened to the kitchen?

I'm no coffee drinker/addict of anything I NEED in order to make it through the day
Suspicious of those people

What brand of culture was served up inside this spot?

I think we need to bring back a classic dime store like Newberrys
something with a full yet simple lunch menu and soda fountain and stools
and chrome
and sundaes and pies and soaps and candles and art and coffee and ties and
Where else are you going to find that?

Jan 5, 2009, 7:00pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

When it comes to coffee, I drink Turkish (or Greek- in a pinch). To the best of my knowledge there is no outlet for Turkish coffee in Batavia.

Jan 6, 2009, 12:30am Permalink
Philip Anselmo

Lazario: I agree. Most mornings, I grind and brew my own coffee in the kitchen with a French press. I like it strong and homemade. Finger Lakes Roasters is my preferred brand. Plus, they're local.

Some mornings, though, it was nice to get out among people, and Main Street was the best place to do that. As for the culture of the place — that depends.

There was the culture of the atmosphere, the decor, if you will, which included paintings and photographs done by local artists, including: Karen Reisdorf and Brian Moore, both of whom I met at Main Street coffee. When Pieces Gallery was still open right next door, the proximity, too, made for a certain culture boost.

There was also the culture of the people. Rob Credi often told stories and kept us all entertained. Many of the people who would come by in the morning would stay for at least ten minutes or more before heading out to work. Many conversations were had collectively, whether you knew all the people or not. That was really the best of the Main Street experience. It was a community place, a "real" local place. I can't imagine ever finding that sort of experience at a Dunkin' Donuts!

C.M.: You've got some good (strong) taste in coffee. I think it would be great if a local café served up some specialty coffees. A good Italian espresso can stand for a good Greek coffee, I find.

Jan 6, 2009, 7:40am Permalink
Laura Russell Ricci

My heart breaks every day driving past it! I hate not being able to stop in and chat with Rob every morning! Dammit open up the Daily Grind ASAP!

Jan 6, 2009, 9:03am Permalink
Batavia Business Improvement District

The BID is sorry to see Main Street Coffee close as Rob has provided many a great coffee and lunch for our downtown shoppers and visitors. However, the Daily Grind will be opening up within a few weeks and a new environment for coffee, tea etc. drinkers will be in downtown again.

Rob the best of luck to you in your new venture. Also, remember in the meantime there are other restaurants in downtown that do serve good coffee (maybe not the same way Rob served it).

"Community begins in downtown" and it is important to support the businesses that have supported the community for many years. They not only pay taxes, help support events but volunteer for a variety of things and make our lives alittle better. Rob is one of these people.

Jan 6, 2009, 3:46pm Permalink
JOE MARCHESE

If you want a good cup of "joe" or a Cappaccino, latte,fruit smoothies, sandwiches, icecream...the place to go is "HOT SHOTS CAFFE" on Harvester Ave.Unique,interesting atmosphere,very friendly people. and the best part;locally owned.

Jan 7, 2009, 7:47am Permalink
Sharon Dressler

Main Street Coffee patrons, you Don't have to settle for any less than you are accustomed too when it comes to your "joe." If you're hitting the road, the Hot Shots Caffe' drive thru on West Main is definitely the place to go. If you prefer a walk in atmosphere, then the Hot Shots Bistro at Harvester Center is for you. The Drinks are great....the big chains can't come close to the freshness of the Fingerlakes locally roasted coffee served at Hot Shots. And yes, you can even get it prepared in a French Press. There's much more than coffee though...a whole line of specialty drinks made just the way you like. My personal faves are the Elephant Vanilla Chai Latte's and the Double Chocolate Frappe's; there's nothing like them anywhere else in town. And when you're hungry, the Panini and Wraps at the Bistro are out of this world.

Jan 7, 2009, 11:04pm Permalink
S Marie

Used to be a loyal Dunkin coffee fan until I discovered Hot Shots. I don't get to Batavia all that often, but when I do, I make a point to buzz through the drive thru for the best latte around. I love that I get to mix and match syrup flavors. The white chocolate macadamia nut mocha latte I had last time was amazing. Can't get specialty drinks like that at DD. If you haven't been, you don't know what your missing.

Jan 9, 2009, 11:51am Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

Posted by lazario Ladou about 6 days ago
What happened to the kitchen?

I'm no coffee drinker/addict of anything I NEED in order to make it through the day
Suspicious of those people

What are you Suspicious of? Coffee drinkers?

Jan 11, 2009, 11:13am Permalink
lazario Ladou

Suspicious of those that believe
feigning their belief
however it is
that they need

coffee

in order to "make it" wherever they need to make it
class
work
out the door in general
or better yet
those that need coffee to "wake up"

Yeah, suspicious. Nothing against coffee drinking itself
fakeness and fashion
I just don't think coffee/alcohol/food/drugs/shopping/ are legitimate pastimes
I don't think you should even want to find culture in a place that sells things to you
Not saying you cannot find some there
But if some shoppe that sells treats is where you get your "daily dose" of what's good about america
maybe that's a huge problem

What's great about america is
or should be
found all around you
everywhere

Coffee is daily
What should be daily is put off for weekends and vacations
if ever

If coffee is so great
Why don't people travel to it
People want coffee everywhere so they don't have to go out of their way to get "it"
Where is the effort? The time? The love even

I love smoothies
Never been to Jamba Juice
I love sports
Never been a rabid fan
I love music
Not a groupie

I just don't know. I'd rather see a poll on which of these 5 should we kick off the island or which 1 should we allow to remain

Jan 11, 2009, 1:13pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I believe that the coffee is just part of the appeal or attraction to a place or action.
Gimme tasters choice instant coffee hot water and some cool whip and i can make a latte that will keep you up for days.
If flavor is what you want then I can add different things.
There is no drive thru or open hours so please dont come knocking on my door.
If Batavia has/had real coffee cafe's then it worked (or didnt) becoz of the idea of going there and hanging out visiting, hey they give free internet access in europe and england. Get a fancy expensive cafe that is in ka-hoots with cricket for free wifi band and the only trouble you would have? Trying to get people to leave at closing time.

Jan 11, 2009, 1:53pm Permalink
S Marie

Used the FREE Wi-Fi at Hot Shots on Harvester yesterday. Unfortunately, they were closed; had to sit outside in my car. Closing at 3:30 pm -- too early :( How bout extending hours a day or two during the week?

Jan 13, 2009, 8:58am Permalink
pam reed

sad to see main street coffee is closed. Not sure what what people see in hot shots been there a couple of times in the past couple weeks and disappointed each time. Besides waiting in the drive thru for the girl who was working there to finish her conversation on the phone before she could wait on us and then getting barely any flavor in our flavor shot (extra $) wasn't very impressed. My mom ate at the so called (BISTRO) took forever and the food was not fresh and very expensive.Will not recommend to anyone and surely won't spend any of my hard earned money there ever again

Feb 4, 2009, 10:38pm Permalink
Russ Stresing

I'm not a coffee shop guy, but I've been in Hot Shots on Harvester twice in the last two weeks. Main Street Coffee should be a big, proud entry on Rob Credi's resume, to be sure, and Hot Shots shares some of that same atmosphere in my mind.

Feb 4, 2009, 11:00pm Permalink

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