Batavia’s Limestone Coffee reopens with new look

BATAVIA – Downtown Batavia’s Limestone Coffee & Tea is a place where people escape the workaday world, meeting up with friends, relaxing with a book or just hanging out.

Or it is a place where people break out the laptop and immerse themselves in their work, conducting business meetings, job interviews and sales pitches.

For many, Limestone is Batavia’s go-to gathering spot, and that’s just what owners Leah Leman and Joy Mason want it to be.

Serving fresh-brewed coffees, lattes and espressos, loose-leaf teas and baked goods, as well as breakfast and lunch creations, the two Batavia women have made Limestone a community cornerstone.

The two entrepreneurs employ a staff of 17 part-time workers, many serving customers while others are baking and cooking in the kitchen.

Limestone has been in business about 10 years, most of that time in its well-established storefront space at 8 W. Wilson St.

One day a little more than a year ago, Leman learned that the business was up for sale at a time when she and Mason each had been looking at making a career change.

Mason and Leman had become acquaintances through family and friends before their staff and volunteer work at a Geneva church had brought them closer together.

“The lightbulb went on,” said Leman, who immediately approached her friend with the idea.

“I had always wanted to do hospitality,” Mason said. “The idea was for us to see where it leads.”

Where it has led most recently is a three-hour extension in the coffee shop’s hours of operation to 5 p.m. from Monday through Saturday.

“We thought it was ridiculous that we were kicking people out at 2 p.m.,” Mason said.

The extended hours were rolled out in mid-December, the first day of a reopening that had not been planned.

Leman and Mason experienced the ultimate business nightmare when they were forced to close their business for three weeks after entering their shop to discover the entire floor covered in standing water.

A line that had become disconnected from a filtration system spewed water on the floor for several hours before discovery.

The partners credit the Batavia Fire Department for showing up without being asked and cleaning up the water within 20 minutes. They also said building owner BEI Properties simply took over restoration efforts.

The work took time, but the business now has a beautiful new veneer floor that complements the coffee shop’s homey atmosphere.

The long, linear space is lined with tables of all sizes and comfortable seating. In the center is a conversation nook with a couch and coffee table. At the back is an area furnished with a large table that can be reserved for group meetings.

The wall space is covered with artwork that changes every month. Local artists display and sell their creations. With the coffee shop’s high volume of customer traffic, its walls are a coveted gallery location.

“We don’t have to go searching for artists,” Leman said.

The shop sells coffee mugs, gift cards, calendars and even jewelry, but the focus is on the satisfying line of beverages and foods listed on the giant menu boards.

Coffee reigns supreme. There is always a dark roast, the house blend, decaf and a flavored coffee ready to pour.

With names like “The Nutty Irishman” and “Tahitian Vanilla,” the flavored coffees are in constant rotation.

Signature lattes combine ingredients such as white chocolate and almond, or caramel, vanilla and cinnamon, into enticing beverages.

Espressos, cappuccinos and mochas are available for every mood.

In addition to a complete lineup of tea drinks, there is hot chocolate, fruit smoothies, Italian soda and more on the beverage board.

The food offerings are extensive, ranging from the quiche-of-the-day to the egg cheddar croissant to the breakfast burrito. There are bagels, wraps and salads as well. Food is served until 2 p.m.

Limestone Coffee & Tea, 8 W. Wilson St. in Batavia, is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 630-454-4556 or visit limestonect.com.