CAZENOVIA — Earlier this month, Cazenovia resident Debbie Tillson opened “Purpose Coffee Co.,” a full-service coffee house with a mission, in the Common Grounds space at 35 Albany St.
The new business sells USDA-certified organic coffee and espresso roasted by Skytop Coffee in Manlius, lattes, made from scratch chai, several “Instagram-worthy” specialty drinks, and baked goods, like cinnamon buns with homemade cream cheese frosting and macarons and cupcakes from The Toast. Tillson also plans to offer a lite menu of breakfast sandwiches, panini, soups, and salads soon.
In addition to providing the community with high-quality, locally roasted coffee, Tillson aims to brew it in a setting that fosters inclusion and purpose.
“I am dedicated to creating a space where everyone that walks through the door feels welcomed regardless of [their] differences,” Tillson said in Dec. 2021. “The Purpose Coffee Co. mission is simple. We aim to brew inclusion, one cup at a time. You are wanted here; you are welcomed here, and you have purpose.”
Prior to opening, Tillson renovated the Common Grounds space in hopes of creating an inviting, fun, and fresh environment while also preserving the historic character of the space.
According to Tillson, all the construction was completed by local contractors and the space turned out even better than she imagined.
“It’s just so fun and warm and inviting; there’s a new energy,” she said. “The warm glow of the neon above the fireplace says it all. . . This must be the place. We hope that it truly is ‘the place’ for many, many years to come.”
Purpose Coffee Co. officially opened on Feb. 14.
“The community response has been so much more than so could have even hoped for,” said Tillson. We have had so many people come in and say, ‘Thank you for doing this, our community needed you here.’ On opening day, we were showered with flowers and gifts from the community and local business owners. The outpouring of support has filled my heart. We’re so thankful. At one point during opening day, I looked up and had to just pause for a moment. Every seat was filled, there were moms and dads with their little ones, people cozied up by the fire with a book, friends laughing, people of all generations sitting in one space enjoying a good cup of coffee. That right there was my vision.”
The coffee house is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Tuesdays.
Updates, specials, and additional information can be found on the Purpose Coffee Co. Instagram page at Purposecoffeecaz.
