RSS
Three C's soon arriving on Broadway ...
... That would be cupcakes, coffee and comfort food, as local couple Mike and Elizabeth Phillips plan to open a new cafe this spring in the Roohan Building at 517 Broadway.
Currently, they're in the middle of a massive renovation process that's turning the former community theater attic into an airy, bright, welcoming spot for foodies and wi-fi users.
At The Cupcake Lab (as in Labrador, after the couple's dogs), customers will be able to grab hot breakfast and lunch food on the go (homemade casserole or mac & cheese, anyone?) and freshly baked cupcakes, of course. If you're so inclined, you can relax in the 50-seat dining area until 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The Phillips, both experienced professionals in the restaurant, wine and service industries, said their plan has been several years in the works.
Access to the Lab can be found on Broadway, up the stairs to the left of the Roohan offices, but the Lab's main entrance is unassumingly tucked away in Long Alley. Climb the metal stairs and you'll enter a soaring, sunny room that takes up the whole western side of the building, where the atmosphere is decidedly off-Broadway.
Look for more on The Cupcake Lab around March 22 (tentative opening date), including Saratogian photos.
Currently, they're in the middle of a massive renovation process that's turning the former community theater attic into an airy, bright, welcoming spot for foodies and wi-fi users.
At The Cupcake Lab (as in Labrador, after the couple's dogs), customers will be able to grab hot breakfast and lunch food on the go (homemade casserole or mac & cheese, anyone?) and freshly baked cupcakes, of course. If you're so inclined, you can relax in the 50-seat dining area until 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The Phillips, both experienced professionals in the restaurant, wine and service industries, said their plan has been several years in the works.
Access to the Lab can be found on Broadway, up the stairs to the left of the Roohan offices, but the Lab's main entrance is unassumingly tucked away in Long Alley. Climb the metal stairs and you'll enter a soaring, sunny room that takes up the whole western side of the building, where the atmosphere is decidedly off-Broadway.
Look for more on The Cupcake Lab around March 22 (tentative opening date), including Saratogian photos.
posted by Mareesa Nicosia at
7:05 PM
3 Comments:
Wow, another cupcake cafe? Sounds like a neat idea, but I really hope Bettie's Cakes can withstand this competition! They have a really great thing going (including a great product). I'm always skeptical of businesses that can seemingly do everything well; coffee, desert, food, all day long! Lots of luck to the lab.
This seems to be the theme with broadway businesses. Take a risk, succeed. Someone comes along "Great idea oh, we'll make the exact same thing across the street!".
These experienced professionals - I do question how they expect traffic being tucked away in an ally. How many restaurants do you see on a second floor?
Anonymous: I agree, Broadway businesses are forced to take huge risks if they are to succeed. Offering a specialty product that no one else has is obviously one tried-and-true strategy of making it despite the competition.
But my interview with the Phillips in their new space (and my prior interview with Lorraine Murphy, who owns Bettie's Cakes) left me satisfied that despite the fact they both sell cupcakes and coffee, the two businesses are far from cookie cutter replicas.
Bettie's has a particular theme and style that works very well to offer its product -- sweets.
The Cupcake Lab has an expansive breakfast and lunch menu, a much larger venue and a different atmosphere.
But don't take my word for it. Go check out both businesses and see for yourself!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home