David Wilcox
Executive editor
More than three years in the making, the caf茅 expansion of Auburn Public Theater will welcome its first customers on Wednesday.
But Caf茅 108 won't quite welcome them inside. During its soft opening, which will last a few weeks, it will only take online orders for pickup due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the caf茅 will offer its whole menu, which will be announced on Sunday. The theater's artistic director, Angela Daddabbo, and its executive director, Carey Eidel, told 新加坡多多开奖记录 on Friday that the menu will include sandwiches, salads, baked goods, soups, coffees, soft drinks and teas. The coffee is supplied by Auburn's own Simple Roast, and the caf茅's food partners are Paul and Kendra Porter, owners of the local food truck Potatoes & Molasses and Black Brook Farm, an organic growing operation in Skaneateles and Seneca Falls.聽
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The menu will source locally as much as possible, Daddabbo and Eidel said, and follow the lead of what's available at the nearby Taste NY Market at the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center.
"The same quality of artistic programming that we're known for (at Auburn Public Theater) is what we're putting into the caf茅," Eidel said.
The caf茅 is a for-profit business that will pay rent and donate revenue to the nonprofit theater, helping ensure its sustainability.
Both of these anchors of downtown Auburn聽find themselves in parallel situations as the COVID-19 pandemic seizes everyone in its devastating grip.
It's part of the first phase of a $1.9 million expansion that also includes the reconfiguration of the theater's component spaces, such as its classroom studio, concession area, sound booth and offices. That phase has primarily been supported by a $600,000 grant from the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, Eidel said.
The next phase of the theater's expansion will include the installation of a marquee on Genesee Street and the renovation of its 13,000-square-foot basement. Once finished, the area will feature a black box theater, a multipurpose space that can host concerts or be rented for events, and an Auburn music hall of fame. That phase of the expansion will primarily be supported by $700,000 from the city of Auburn's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award from the state. The rest of the expansion's budget will be covered by foundation grants and a capital campaign.
"This is part of a whole project that's a lot bigger than the caf茅," Eidel said.
Gallery: Inside Auburn Public Theater and Prison City's expansions during COVID-19
APT 1
Staff and contractors stand in Caf茅 108聽at Auburn Public Theater on Genesee Street in Auburn in May. In the front, from left, is Hans Vogt, of Longlakes Woodworking, Charlie Mills, of RT Painting & Restoration, Joel Wheeler, of Capstone Contracting Group, Don Ward, of Bouley Associates and Brian Anderson, of GAC 7. In the middle, from left, is chef and consultant Chris Kuhns, caf茅 manager Melissa Panek, Mike Ames, of Bianco Plumbing & Heating, Rich Picciano, of Saxton Electric, Pete Hlwya, of Bianco, and Greg Rhoad, of Gerharz Equipment. In the back, from left, is theater Executive Director Carey Eidel, Artistic Director Angela Daddabbo, Simple Roast Coffee Co. owner Matt Peirson and theater board member Janie Micglire.
APT 2
Cafe 108 at Auburn Public Theater.
APT 3
The exterior of Caf茅 108 at Auburn Public Theater.
APT 4
The newly renovated Stage Right space at Auburn Public Theater.
APT 5
The newly renovated Stage Right space at Auburn Public Theater in May 2020.
APT 6
The kitchen of Caf茅 108 at Auburn Public Theater.
APT 7
The kitchen of Caf茅 108 at Auburn Public Theater.
PC 1
Prison City Farmhouse, the new production facility of Prison City Pub & Brewery, on North Street in Auburn.
PC 2
Prison City Farmhouse, the new production facility of Prison City Pub & Brewery.
PC 3
Prison City Farmhouse, the new production facility of Prison City Pub & Brewery.
Auburn Public Theater construction 1
Renovation of the facade of Auburn Public Theater takes place in January.
Auburn Public Theater construction 2
Renovation takes place inside Auburn Public Theater聽in January.
Auburn Public Theater construction 3
Renovation takes place inside Auburn Public Theater聽in January.
Auburn Public Theater construction 4
A new concession bar at Auburn Public Theater's Stage Right space.
Auburn Public Theater construction 5
A new access ramp near the Exchange Street entrance to Auburn Public Theater.
Auburn Public Theater construction 6
A new sound booth at Auburn Public Theater's Stage Right space.
Auburn Public Theater construction 7
Renovation takes place inside Auburn Public Theater聽in January.
Auburn Public Theater construction 8
Renovation takes place inside Auburn Public Theater聽in January.
Auburn Public Theater construction 9
Renovation takes place inside the basement of Auburn Public Theater聽in January.
Auburn Public Theater construction 10
Renovation takes place inside Auburn Public Theater聽in January.
Auburn Public Theater construction 11
Renovation takes place inside Auburn Public Theater Thursday.
Auburn Public Theater construction 12
Renovation of the facade of Auburn Public Theater takes place in January.
Prison City Farmhouse 1
Marc and Dawn Schulz break ground in October at their brewery's new production facility, Prison City Farmhouse at 251 North St. in Auburn.
Prison City Farmhouse 2
Marc Schulz speaks to a small gathering during a groundbreaking ceremony at the new Prison City Farmhouse production facility in Auburn.
Prison City Farmhouse 3
Marc and Dawn Schulz, center, and their staff ceremoniously break ground at the new Prison City Farmhouse production facility in Auburn in October.
Prison City Farmhouse 4
The house at 251 North St. in October. It was demolished to make room for the new Prison City Farmhouse production facility there.
Prison City Farmhouse 5
Marc and Dawn Schulz ceremoniously break ground at their new Prison City Farmhouse production facility in Auburn.
Prison City Farmhouse 6
Marc and Dawn Schulz ceremoniously break ground at their new Prison City Farmhouse production facility in Auburn.
Prison City Farmhouse 7
A rendition of the Prison City Farmhouse production facility's outdoor beer tasting area in Auburn by architect Jill Fudo.
Prison City Farmhouse 8
A rendering of the new Prison City Farmhouse production facility in Auburn by architect Jill Fudo.
Prison City Farmhouse 9
A rendering of the Prison City Farmhouse beer tasting area in Auburn by architect Jill Fudo.
Prison City Farmhouse 10
A reception is held inside the dairy barn at the future site of the Prison City Farmhouse production facility during a groundbreaking ceremony in Auburn.
Lake Life Editor David Wilcox can be reached at (315) 282-2245 or david.wilcox@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter .
David Wilcox
Executive editor
