Coffee shop in the village officially open for business

Scones, muffins, bagels, sandwiches and coffee. The wide variety of selections awaits all walks of life at the new coffee shop and event space now open in the village of Dryden.

The Corner Brew, located at1 West Main St., officially opened its doors on March 29. The coffee shop is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Since its inception, The Corner Brew has become a go-to destination for community members and others, said owner Kayla Lane.

“The response has been more overwhelmingly positive than I expected,” Lane said. “I didn’t realize how many people were paying attention to this space or watching our progress from the outside.”

Lane has managed the space for 10 years. Dryden Realty, which Lane co-owns, has owned the building for 25 years. The space last housed Dryden Community Cafe, which closed its doors in February 2020.

The space was the original home of Clark’s Food Mart, which was owned by Eric Clark’s grandpa. Clark is Lane’s husband.

Lane and Clark plan to implement a collage in the back of the coffee shop that shows the history of the space, including the former family-owned grocery store.

“It’s really cool. To have him come in here and talk me through the history about where his coolers and meat sections were was really neat,” Clark said. “It comes full circle.”

With the space previously unoccupied for three years, Lane noted that individuals who’ve entered The Corner Brew have said how “this was needed.”

“It’s really reassuring,” she said. “All are appreciating it in some regard. People are saying it’s welcoming, comfortable and really appreciate the work [we] did.”

Lane mentioned that the process to open The Corner Brew included “a lot of work,” but she knew it would take some time to get it all together.

“We renovated this space, top to bottom, but we also had to build the brand, the menu and the staff. I’m really proud of this,” Lane said.

Word of The Corner Brew’s opening was spread through the logo on the business’s logo and the coffee shop’s Instagram, which was popular months before the business started.

The popularity became apparent on April 1, when The Corner Brew conducted over 130 individual transactions. 

“It’s been by far our best day. It wasn’t what we expected, but it was great,” Lane said.

The Corner Brew will have an outdoor deck and platform behind the building for use during warmer weather. Whether sitting inside or outside, individuals can enjoy an array of coffee options, including a custom blend from Cortland-based Coffee Mania.

Lane noted that the delivery of tables for the coffee shop has been delayed. Once tables are moved in, she will look at the event space side of the business. This will be based on the layout of the tables and maximum occupancy.

“We’re going to focus on what we can offer,” Lane said, noting that she and Clark will use their past rental experience as an advantage. “This makes us feel confident we can continue to offer the community new opportunities with services.”

The Corner Brew currently has eight staff members but is looking to hire more. Those interested in applying can visit the coffee shop and ask for Lane or the manager, Courtney; send an email to info@thecornerbrew.com; or send a message to the business’s Instagram.

“We have a great crew right now. We’re fortunate,” Lane said.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Email story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Town of Dryden employees now CPR and AED certified

The town of Dryden announced in its April newsletter that all town hall and highway department employees are now trained and certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED).

The town completed the training and certification to ensure on-hand individuals, if needed, can help to save the life of a co-worker or a family member.

New book for the Story Walk in the village of Dryden

A new book is on display for the spring season on the Story Walk at the Jim Schug Trail in the village of Dryden.

According to the Family Reading Partnership in Ithaca, the book is called “And Then It’s Spring” by Julie Fogliano. The story is about a boy who plants a seed in winter and patiently waits for it to grow. 

The beginning of the Story Walk at the Jim Schug Trail can be accessed adjacent to the Dryden Agway hardware store on 59 W. Main St. in the village.

Presentation on ‘The American Chestnut: Then and Now’ is April 27

A presentation called “The American Chestnut: Then and Now” is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 27 at the Dryden Village Hall on 16 South St.

Val Ross will conduct the presentation. She will talk about the history of the majestic chestnut tree, once prominent in the eastern United States, and its “downfall from fungal blight.”

Ross, a member of the New York state chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, will also talk about efforts to revive and reestablish the chestnut as a foundational tree in our forests.

Ross hopes to encourage individuals to establish small chestnut orchards to care for the new transgenic tree.

Doors at the Village Hall will open at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will include light refreshments.

For more information, contact the Dryden Town Historical Society at 607-844-9209.