Dunkin, Starbucks, Daylight Donuts, and 7Brew all thrive in New Hartford as some popular coffee-shop chains, however local cafe Calabria Coffee is giving those places some competition. Opening in the spring of 2021, Calabria Coffee has had a running start, becoming an incredibly successful place in the New Hartford community.
Located in the heart of the village, the accessibility of the shop has made it widely appealing to everyone- especially high school students. Because of the open lunch policy and proximity to the school, Calabria has become a hotspot for New Hartford teenagers.
Over the years of its growth in popularity, the coffee shop has gained a lot of traction, creating some regular frequenters in the community. Some New Hartford students gave their thoughts about the hot spot.
“I love the variety of drinks,” said Mori Reichenbach. Mori explained how she’s also a big fan of the atmosphere and proximity. “It’s really nice for studying. I always feel like I get my work done when I’m there.”
Her personal favorite drink is the” Calabria Mocha”- the shop’s own creation, which contains a dark caramel and chocolate flavored coffee. Despite being a fan, Mori remarked how she “doesn’t care for the prices” and wishes it was a little cheaper, especially given one of the main demographics are high school students.
“It’s not very over-decorated, which I can appreciate. I really like the simplistic atmosphere and vibe,” Calabria frequenter Sarah Win says. “It can get pretty crowded though.” Even though it’s become relatively at home in New Hartford, Calabria still appears to have the same boom from when it first opened.
Sarah remarked that her favorite drink was the “Red Velvet Mocha,” a seasonal drink served around Valentine’s Day.
One of Calabria’s main draws is definitely their curated environment, which fellow student Ava Lakeman recalled as “very pleasant.” Like Mori, she is also a fan of the wide drink selection. However, she stated that she was “not that into the deserts. I wish there were more options.”
Ava’s favorite drink is a more selective pick, as she goes for a “Frozen Calabria Chai,” instead of a coffee.
Calabria Coffee has been in business for a few years now, and they surely have made a name for themself. Becoming a hotspot for teenagers like myself, they have definitely grown within their time in New Hartford. They brought not only a new coffee place but a “Third Place,” being a welcoming place for everyone to come together and talk, and maybe enjoy a drink too.
