Comfort Zone Café Eyes Up Elmwood
I spoke to an employee at Comfort Zone who told me that the shop serves full lunches with homemade soups, salads and desserts. The website states that they "offer a wide variety of beverages including cappuccinos, smoothies, and lake effects, along with goodies, breakfast and lunch." The long vacant Elmwood location has continuously advertised (through signage) that a coffee business would be ideal for the space. Of course the rest of the block looks to be very solid with Cosefini as a neighbor along with Elmwood Village Fabrics, 'room', Sonny's Doggie Bakery, and Bullfeathers. There's also Sahara Grill, Style Lab, Elmwood Specs, Falafel Bar, HSBC Bank, Sunday Skate and BMX, Sweet and Dirty, Buffalo Hemp Outfitters, and University Hots nearby. The Bidwell Farmers' Market is also a big draw to this section of Elmwood during the summer months. And with Caffe Aroma and Starbucks just across the way, it will be interesting to see how Comfort Zone differentiates itself from the rest.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
The Little Rock Sleeps 250 Every Weekend
Here's something pretty interesting - did you know that the USS Little Rock Guided Missile Light Cruiser has an average of 250 people stay on it each weekend? That's right, whether it's ROTC, Army cadets, or American and Canadian Boy and Girl Scouts boarding the Little Rock for the night, these groups arrive to navigate the cruiser and learn about the water (and man's place on it). Just ask AMCS John Branning, USN (Ret) Chief Engineer about the weekend occurrence. He waits for eac … - Today, 3:02pm
- Continue Reading
- 3 Comments
-
The Barn @ The Inner Harbor
These days, if you head down to the Inner Harbor, you are sure to find something of interest... like finding the doors to 'The Barn' cranked open. The Barn is situated next to the Super 'Dangerous' Yard - a place where many of the missiles and jets are found. The kids that take the tour of this yard call it 'dangerous' because of the artillery found there, while the employees that work at The Barn say that it is dangerous [joking] because the kids pick up the pebbles and throw the … - Today, 2:12pm
- Continue Reading
- 2 Comments
-
Something Different for Mom Today!
Remember when you were in grade school and your teacher helped you make gifts out of Popsicle sticks and construction paper? Any parent is genuinely touched by the sentiment behind these lovely creations... but if you're a little too old to be making noodle necklaces, it might be time to leave the handcrafting to professional artists and get Mom something original that she'll be sure to love. A shopping trip for local handcrafted goodies at Buffalo's only monthly independent artis … - Today, 9:42am
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
-
Ode to a Mother
We all got here in the same way, and we all have a woman to thank for her part in it. My mother, Nelle, was the last of a family of nine, whose parents came from Tortorici, Sicily.
Lately, at the urging of my cousins, she's become somewhat of the family historian because at the age of 82, she is the only one of her immediate family to have a computer, and she knows how to use it. The questions flood in, and she does her best to answer, while my cousin Joanne has diligently sc … - Today, 9:36am
- Continue Reading
- 5 Comments
Comment Options
bison716
GREAT ADDITION! Keep it coming. Its all about the variety people!
Report this
sbrof
It is nice to see another expanding local business.
Report this
Martin
Great for Elmwood! now if we could just a coffee shop on Allen...sigh
Report this
mepolo
I think it's great that the Comfort Zone is expanding into the city. They have great food, and great coffee, and a very homey touch. I do need to make one note though....they did not begin as a mall coffee shop....the original location is on Main St. in the village of Hamburg. They then filled a niche in the McKinley Mall by opening a kiosk there, and now taking over the existing mall coffee shop. I didn't realize they had expanded to the Galleria too. I've never been to their mall locations, but enjoyed several visits to their village of Hamburg location. Glad to see them coming to the city!
Report this
mmjazz
How can people be so negative in this town? There is a lot of interesting developments and people should commend these businesses for their guts and persistence. This is another good example. There are pockets that have more challenges, but the good news will spread.
Report this
zenfur
Do they have wireless? Maybe even free wireless?
Report this
behindthemask
Awesome!
Report this
Joshua
Martin --- possibly a Buttered Lamb Factory in Allentown????
Report this
BuffaloSun
This is a positive story and the store and it owners / employees should be supported. Keep the good stuff, get rid of the bad, including the negative people who try to stomp on ideas before they blossom. There are plenty of truly negative people and causes that should be the focus of ridicule, this is not one of them. Give the good guys a chance first. The small business owner is Buffalo is couragous and a rare species these days. Let's try to preserve that positive spirit here, support these endeavors and cast off anyone who tries to damage honest, hard working people trying to aid the city and its people.
Report this
Joshua
Sounds like another nice spot for lunch. I'll have to give it a try. I still need to get down to the Village Beer Merchant for lunch. Any suggestions as to what sandwiches are good??
Report this
mepolo
I'm trying to figure out who was negative in this post? I hope my note wasn't considered negative, I was trying to point out that Comfort Zone is not your typical mall/chain coffee shop....they are great people who run a very family oriented shop. I do wonder though, isn't Cafe 59 considered a coffee shop in Allentown?
Report this
al-alo
doesnt steel crazy in allentown have coffee/wireless as well?
im all for more businesses moving in. i just hope that coffee hasnt reached its saturation point on elmwood. not that im trying to be negitive, but i bet from mobile @ forest to all the way to summer, there is a place to pick up coffee on every block.
Report this
magnum
I don't see a negative comment on here, YET!
Report this
Martin
Joshua...I don't think they are "buttered" until they are sheep...you perv...lol [jokin w/ ya]
Report this
bobbyraz49
Zenfur. ..they have wi-fi in their Hamburg location. I go there often !
Report this
bc71
I used to frequent the original Village of Hamburg store a few years back and always came away pleased. The Comfort Zone Cafe is much more than just a coffee shop. It's really a cafe that has a coffee as a menu item. Delicious Hot Spiced Cider,
Will CZC on Elmwood be hosting musicians similar to the Hamburg location?
Coffee saturation point? Impossible.
Report this
Martin
Hot spiced cider you say? I love that stuff, you do know there is butter [lambs] in some recipies...
Report this
Hodge_Podge_Ave
That is great, but if only someone would open a cafe in the old Sweet Tooth location between Hodge and Utica, it would really help that block, especially since Daily Grind closed...
Report this
Joshua
Martin - great to see some people have a sense of humor !! :-) Seriously, though, I can see that you love butter sheep (lambs). (I can't be serious) lol
Report this
LightoftheMoon
Yay! I grew up in Hamburg and loved the original Comfort Zone (still do). How exciting that there will be another one right around the corner from me now. I agree that it really isn't just a coffee shop--they have plenty of specialty coffee drinks but also a good amount of daily home-made lunches, breakfasts, and a ton of great desserts. Not too pricey either (although some of the specialty drinks can get up there, like most other coffee shops).
Take my advice and try the "emerald champagne" in the summer... a really refreshing & surprisingly delicious mix of pineapple and celery juice. Seriously. Fantastic.
Report this
EricOak
Love the idea...Buffalo is so ripe for a real cafe. I hope they can be everything that Spot is not: a clean, ambient place with quiet music and some taste and character.
Report this
wizardofza
Martin, STFU about butter lambs already. Nobody (expect maybe yourself) thinks that's funny anymore.
With that said, I'm glad to see this long-vacant spaced filled by something potentially cool.
Report this
hashma
Great post...good positive development for Elmwood. Wizardofza, where did that come from. Joshua, not Martin brought up butter lambs this time. My, my we do get hostile easily don't we!
Report this
AtwaterLouse
Sounds like some healthy competition. I think the crowds in the aforementioned coffee places indicate there's a good chance there'll be room for another if they find niches not being provided by the others. They might help fill the non-expensive sandwich gap left by closing of Elmwood Bagel and Sandwich Shop last year even though that was a few blocks away.
I agree with mepolo and magnum that there wasn't one comment the slightest bit negative when mmjazz and Buffalo Sun complained with knee jerk generalizations about negativity.
Report this
BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME
Im suing!!!!!!!
Report this
RDRNR
Queenseyes Elmwood-centric view of things really shows in this post. It is wholly irresponsible to pen a post casting Comfort Zone as a "mall" biz (a place you NEVER go and therefore it is EVIL). This is a Hamburg-based, family-run biz that just happens to have an outlet at the Galleria.
If you checked out the web site (which I'm doubting), you should have revised your post to reflect facts. Your seat-of-your-pants reporting techniques are frightening. If you want BR to be taken seriously, then act more like a journalist than a breezy gadfly.
Report this
AtwaterLouse
RDRNR - I didn't think QE this time intended 'mall' to be an insult. That wasn't how I read it anyway. For anyone keeping score it looks like their Elmwood location will be one of two non-mall locations (Hamburg the other) and there's two in malls (McKinley and Galleria),
mmjazz - Negativity vs. Positivity debates jumped the shark long ago. I'm never getting drawn into one again. Suggestion: if you have a complaint about certain comments, rebut right then instead of later in a different article. Cite words you differ with, and why. That's a lot more potentially interesting than knee-jerk generalizations.
I could just as easily generalize for example about ex-pats in the Sun Belt who get from Buffalo Rising a sense that it's only some 'pockets' of Buffalo that have 'more challenges'. But I won't. In general, generalizations {self-deleted}.
Right, sure, that's how it is. Growing prosperity across the city except for a few challenged pockets. Uh huh. Whatever.
Report this
AtwaterLouse
Does BR block out all comments with web links now? I tried posting their URL as a link and it won't show up.
Here, I'll try with plain text: http://www.comfortzonecafe.com
Report this
ChocolateShake
Why hasn't anyone tried to get a DiCamillo's bakery on Elmwood?
Report this
urbansoul
I'll still go to SPoT. I'm all for the new place for those who seek it. And no negativity here, but............wasn't there a second Thunder Bay that once opened in the Galleria?
Report this
IrishinBuffalo
Being new to the area I have no idea what the butter lamb comment are all about - can someone get me up to date?
Report this
queenseyes
Butter Lambs
Report this
BUFFALOBUTTERLAMB
this is such good news for Elmwood! they do have good soup!
Report this
mmjazz
Its not personal on my end. I just like to see Buffalo grow--whether I live there or not.
Report this
AtwaterLouse
mmj - I didn't question your hope for growth, which I also hope for if that makes any difference, and I didn't mean anything personal either.
I just questioned what looks to me one bizarre claim you made ('There are pockets that have more challenges') and the vague dismissiveness ('How can people be so negative in this town?') with which you lead to it even though there hadn't been any negative comments.
Seems a deep disagreement. Maybe you consider it negative and harmful for me to think as I do that your claim is 180 degrees twisted (pockets of health surrounded by much larger areas of deep challenges), and yes I think what you said is condescending and inconsistent with reality in by far most of Buffalo I see. Gridlock.
We have a bit of common ground in wishing Comfort Cafe all the best and agreeing the Elmwood/Delaware portion of Buffalo is stable.
Note to mmj or anyone sending private messages on BR - if you don't type in a title for the message before sending, then I don't think it's possible for a recipient to read it. Nothing to click on to open it is the problem. Might be 1000s of messages on this thing never read by anybody, unless there's some trick to opening those.
Report this
mmjazz
Atwater,
No disagreements here. I have studied crime, the real estate and reclamation patterns in Buffalo for the past 5+ years. I don't live in Buffalo. Clearly, I will not be abreast of every political impediment that gets in the way in the city--your 180 degree gridlock. But I have a sense of it. We have talked about these before. All I can give you is my experience of Buffalo when I am there and what I enjoy about it when I am there every summer. Here are my pockets:
1. Increase of high end restaurants on Hertel. Stable housing between Parkside and Colvin--mix of single family and rentals. 2. Elmwood/Delaware corridor--ranked 13th in country--obvious. Almost bought a triplex on Cleveland. 3. Canisius College-of which I have been a small part of and have had a pulse on since I attended. 4. Marina--had dinner by the water, gridlock keeping from potential. We agree. 5. Allentown-art, culture, Buffalo's greenwich villiage. Crime a concern, great historical neighborhood nonetheless 6. Kleinhan's reclamation--have talked to members, my realtor lives there. 7. Old editions books: best bookstore ive ever been to. That's a pocket in itself. So I have covered the north, some of the west and middle. I havent studied much of south buffalo. This is a shameless plug for the best antiquarian bookstore I have ever been too.
these are the pockets that I have seen that have made improvements over the last 5-7yrs.
What are your thoughts?
Report this
mmjazz
Atwater,
No disagreements here. I have studied crime, the real estate and reclamation patterns in Buffalo for the past 5+ years. I don't live in Buffalo. Clearly, I will not be abreast of every political impediment that gets in the way in the city--your 180 degree gridlock. But I have a sense of it. We have talked about these before. All I can give you is my experience of Buffalo when I am there and what I enjoy about it when I am there every summer. Here are my pockets:
1. Increase of high end restaurants on Hertel. Stable housing between Parkside and Colvin--mix of single family and rentals. 2. Elmwood/Delaware corridor--ranked 13th in country--obvious. Almost bought a triplex on Cleveland. 3. Canisius College-of which I have been a small part of and have had a pulse on since I attended. 4. Marina--had dinner by the water, gridlock keeping from potential. We agree. 5. Allentown-art, culture, Buffalo's greenwich villiage. Crime a concern, great historical neighborhood nonetheless 6. Kleinhan's reclamation--have talked to members, my realtor lives there. 7. Old editions books: best bookstore ive ever been to. That's a pocket in itself. So I have covered the north, some of the west and middle. I havent studied much of south buffalo. This is a shameless plug for the best antiquarian bookstore I have ever been too.
these are the pockets that I have seen that have made improvements over the last 5-7yrs.
What are your thoughts?
Report this
AtwaterLouse
mmj - To answer your question, my thoughts are you've made a good list of success pockets. I agree with what you wrote on balance. Notice however that your definitions of 'west' and 'middle' seem to be in context of the geography BR usually focuses on rather than the whole city. As you noted, 'some of' those.
Here's a couple maps with broader perspective and showing some trends:
http://fixbuffalo.blogspot.com/2007/10/undeliverable.html
(And you might like that guy's blog. He doesn't post all that frequently, once a week or so, but there's many interesting past posts you can browse around if you ever tire of BR. Mixes of optimism and pessimism, etc.)
Report this
georgethomasapfel
AtwaterLouse,
I don't know how BRO is setup, but Wordpress for example (a popular blogging software package) by default flags posts with more than two links holding them for moderation before accepting the post. I just started working with the program in setting up the blog for Buffalo Homecoming ; It's an anti-spam feature.
I agree with you about David Torke's fix buffalo blogsite you mentioned, I admire his efforts towards shedding light on the plight of the "near east side" -- that's my old neighborhood.
Report this
BackInBuffalo
Just To Clarify: Caffe Aroma & Comfort Zone = Locally owned SPoT & Sawbucks = NOT locally owned
That's right, read your labels and consider the source people. Everyone knows Starbucks is a conglomerate, but check the fine print on your SPoT cup...
Report this
phenimore
umm... spot is based out of rochester... that's pretty local
Report this
phenimore
oops.. I thought Innomarque was also in Rochester.. It's actually in Buffalo, so my bad it is local!
Report this
BackInBuffalo
Dig deeper, who is the majority owner of Innomarque... A majority of shares were sold to, GASP, a middle-Eastern company...
(Don't get me wrong, the Koesslers are a GREAT family to have associated with Buffalo, but a percentage of your buck from drinking with the 'too-cool-for-school' kids at SPoT is going far, far, far away.)
If on Elmwood, go Aroma (or soon Comfort Zone), if on Hertel go to, oh, that other place, next to the rug guy...
Report this
AtwaterLouse
BackInBuff and phenimore - If I'm not mistaken, I think I've heard it said a few times that Koessler isn't involved with Spot any more. I think for the past few years Spot is managed from Canada (it also has Toronto presence), and its ownership is a private equity firm owned partly or mostly by Mid-East investors as you said. So I don't think Spot is WNY-owned at all. That doesn't bother me, but the Buy Local people should take note and leave room for the rest of us to find seats there more easily.
Report this
BackInBuffalo
Thanks for clarifying.
(you know, there's always a seat available at the Dunkin' drive thru, and you can park out in front of SPot and wave to the Nardin groupies...)
(oh -- and you don't have to order in Fretalian...)
Report this
Vylit
Any rumblings of a coffee shop opening on Hertel?
Report this