SPoT On, Williamsville!

So the word has gotten out, the official word that is.  SPoT Coffee is spreading its beans wings with expansion plans here in WNY.  The last time the company added onto their Buffalo stores was with the first of the Toronto locations, and Rochester’s mammoth store back a few years.  Adding to the four stores that exist today, will be a new location in Williamsville on Main Street and Union Road.  The Elmwood and Cleveland location will also expand to share the vacant space left by New World Records with neighboring Brodo.  This has been an unkept secret ever since the record store moved to its current (and soon-to-be-shuttered) location on Delaware and Hertel.

The Williamsville SPoT sounds like it will be more relaxing (read: not yelling hooligans like at the city locations, no matter how charming they may be) and more “homey” (read: cleaner couch cushions and waxier floors).  My favorite downtown coffee shop has always been SPoT on Delaware and Chippewa (also known in various circles as DelChip, the HotSPoT, or my personal favorite, Della Reese and Chippendales....yeah....).  In case you haven’t gotten the hint, I’ve also worked there for the last almost two years.  So I’m biased, but who isn’t about whatever?

I have a feeling that the Williamsville location will be certainly cleaner and more suburban in nature, but I don’t think I’m alone in expressing my interest in it remaining as wild and crazy and fun and relaxing as the city SPoTs.  It’s not a jungle of noise most days, either, except when it’s busy, naturally.  But based on what I saw at the sleek and modern Toronto store, each new location will fit its neighborhood in aesthetic style and comfort.  The Toronto store is in the ground floor of an upscale high-rise condo building, and its decor and menu fits the tastes and palates of its customers, most of whom are residents who jet downstairs for an oven-baked pizza.

Perhaps the Williamsville SPoT will feature different menu items that the villagers and suburbanites are more accustomed to in their local food and coffee haunts.  Despite what changes are made to the SPoT visual philosophy, I am very excited for the feeling that an alternative coffee choice will be available to Northtowners as it has been for city residents for the last 12 years.  (And no, I don’t deny the truth that the company is now corporately owned in Canada, but it started off with local intentions and small business ideals....things change, life happens, I don’t have any issues with that anymore.  I still love the store and company and I am a proud supporter of any interest they have in local development.)

SPoT on!

Read the story about the SPoT announcement on The Buffalo News Web site.

Posted by on 01/29 at 12:41 PM