The Saint Rose Chronicle January 26, 2011
Volume LXXIX Issue 13
Serving The College of Saint Rose Community in Albany, New York
www.strosechronicle.com
Hudson River Coffee House Opens Its Doors By ONELIA LLANO Friday December 10 marked the grand opening of the Hudson River Café Coffee House at 227 Quail St. with an electronic dubs show to jump start the new venture. The 1,700-square-foot shop is the brainchild of Anton Pasquill, a graduate of the State University at Albany. Pasquill has garnered support from his mother and grandmother to get the shop up and running. The show featured Heady Productions - including Brother Suarez, Just the Sauce, DJ Far East, and Mr. Kissner.
Marlena Diaz Patrons gathered in front of Breugger’s Bagel’s on Madison Avenue. The store has been there since 1989.
Neighborhood Bagels Since 1989 By MARLENA DIAZ The Madison Avenue Bruegger’s has been a part of the Pine Hills community since 1989 and bakes nearly 450 bagels everyday from 5 a.m. till 6 p.m. Each night, left over bagels are placed in the store’s ‘fresh bags’ and are sold the following morning. Bruegger’s Bagels has a simple philosophy posted on its company website – the ‘neighborhood’s bakery.’ The company was founded in 1983 and has more than 295 stores in 26 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The shop’s front entrance displays a 2009 award for operator of the year by Restaurant News and receives heavy foot traffic from residents, shop owners and people who work and live in the area. The Madison Avenue ba-
gel shop is smaller compared to other nearby stores on North Pearl Street in Albany, Union Avenue in Schenectady and the first Bruegger’s shop that opened in Troy. The smaller size of the Madison Avenue shop adds to the stores cozy neighborhood feel and receives plenty of sunlight from the large glass storefront windows that have become a popular spot to take advantage of the store’s free unlimited Wi-Fi. The bakery helps the surrounding community through sponsorship, donations, fundraising opportunities and store upgrades. The Albany Police Department became the first to be featured in the bagel shops “neighborhood heroes” program. The officers received a free breakfast platter along with a cer-
tificate of thanks for service to the Pine Hills community. The program is an extension of the bagel company’s corporate program to become more involved in its Burlington, Vermont community. The ‘neighborhood heroes’ program is one way the bagel shop gives back to the community, said Sara Wendel, the manager of the Pine Hills Bruegger’s . “With the economy things are difficult, but we do everything we can,” said Wendel Wendel is in the planning stages of a thank you program that will honor a member of the community with free beverages for a month. Plans are also udnerway for the story to sponsor a coloring contest with the Pine Hills ElemenContinued on page A2
“We don’t throw your typical parties, we’re riding the wave of resurgence of electronic music and I will play any space I can find,” said Matthew Davidowicz. Not only is the Café a music venue but it also has a tranquil atmosphere, a full espresso bar, as well as pastries, a full sandwich menu, and free wireless internet. The espresso bar offers lattes, chai lattes and regular coffee. Hudson River Café gets its coffee from Capital City Roasters in the Hudson Valley, and each cup is made with freshly ground coffee beans. Continued on Page A4
Winter Weather Means More Bus Riders By CAROLINE MURRAY Ridership on city buses tends to spike during the winter season because of unfavorable weather conditions. Icy roads and blustery snow storms keep people from driving and the Capital District Transportation Authority marks an uptick in business this time of year. “Riding the bus during the winter is preferred for many of our customers to reduce the stress of driving during inclement weather, so we do see a slight increase in the winter,” said Margo Janack, spokeswoman for the CDTA. People who work or attend school in Albany find the bus services particularly convenient in the winter, but it also serves those who are looking to save a little money or want to avoid using their vehicle year round. Giuseppe Zaccarvo, a Guilderland resident and retiree, said
taking the bus is a smart idea. He only uses it every so often to travel down town, but he finds it efficient and less costly than taking his own car. “I figure it is cheaper and saves me time searching for a parking spot,” said Zaccarvo. “I don’t mind, I like to talk to people.” The ride downtown and back only costs him 75 cents because he is a senior citizen, a deal also available to disabled riders. For other local residents, a single bus ride costs $1.50 and some choose to pay that fee every day. Corey King, a north Pine Hills resident, works at the Crossgates Mall and only uses the bus to get to work. She does not own a car and pays $3 cash each day for a ride there and back. “I like riding the bus, it does help me out,” said King. Although the CDTA is convenient, she did notice a price Continued on Page A3