NEWBERRY CAFE
GRAND OPENING
CANTON, NY – After testing the cafe with local culinary artists and patrons for six months, TAUNY’s Newberry Cafe celebrated its grand opening on Monday, October 14th, 2024.The organization was delighted to share this moment with Mary Ann Ashley, Superintendent of the Village of Canton, Katie Berry, Community Coordinator at the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, and several Board of Directors members including Jackie Sauter and Martha Foley Smith. The cafe runs every Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. serving paninis, crepes, & quiche, and new items including soups, salads and special desserts.
Mission: Newberry Cafe
With a focus on an eat-in environment and attentive customer service, the Newberry Cafe is a welcoming space that builds community connections within the ambiance of The TAUNY Center.
History of Newberry Cafe
The name “Newberry Cafe” is derived from the J.J Newberry Co. a variety store which occupied the building for nearly 60 years. Newberry’s, founded by John Josiah Newberry of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was a successful five-and-dime store chain throughout the U.S. and Canada through most of the 20th century.
CULINARY ARTISTS
The Newberry Cafe began as a pilot in February of 2024, when Culinary Artist Andre Comandon and Executive Director Joshua Vink met to discuss the need and prospects of a viable cafe in The TAUNY Center.
Andre’s background as a cook and facility with wonderful crepes, baked goods, and general dishes helped build the foundation for the cafe. Running on Wednesday and Saturday once a month, the model drew on an embedded fiber and visual arts groups that met at The Center regularly.
The next phase of the Cafe was with Catherine Brownell, whose mother Theresa Stone had had a longstanding connection with TAUNY and Kate grew up attending programs at The Center. Kate brought in some delicious drink and food options, in particular a blueberry lemonade and wonderful baked good, as well as continuing to cook the foods that Andre had begun for the cafe.