North Shore Coffee and Tea Company is more than just a café
By Stefan Yablonski
It’s not the same old grind. North Shore Coffee and Tea Company has been perking up customers for nearly two years now.
It is owned by Marcy Korczakowski and her husband, Michael.
“We have been in business since September 2022. We are proud of what we’ve created and are blessed to have great support of the community,” she said.
The cafe is located at the Glass Ark — formally the North Shore Country Store — in Bernhards Bay, on the North Shore of Oneida Lake.
“We just purchased the building. We had been leasing it previously,” said Marcy Korczakowski, adding, “No employees yet, just Michael and I.” She didn’t disclose the amount invested in the business.
Korczakowski was born in Beaufort, South Carolina — in a naval family — and grew up “primarily in the Rochester area.” Michael was born and raised in Baldwinsville.
They have lived in West Monroe for 22 years with their two horses, Blue and Gypsy. They have had horses for 25 years, she said.
Gypsy is an Arabian and Blue is Standardbred.
They trail-ride and she has shown their horses over the years, she added.
“I have spent most of my life in New York state. My father was employed by the Eastman Kodak Company. We resided in Greece,” she said. “Michael is from Baldwinsville. His father was employed by Carrier Corp.”
Michael was a postal carrier; he retired after 30 years.
Marcy graduated with a computer science degree from RIT and recently retired from a 35-year computer career.
“I worked in various IT positions from support, analysis and sales for private sector companies,” she said.
Filling a need
The idea to open a business sprang from the lack of unique, specialty coffee on the North Shore, she explained.
“Our mission is to offer the finest in local baking, musical and artisanal talent in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere,” she said.
They offer “scrumptious coffees, teas, pastries and a light breakfast-lunch menu.”
Everything that they offer is from local baking talents — they only personally bake just a few items.
Customer favorites are their breakfast sandwiches, croissants, hand-decorated sugar cookies and specialty cheesecakes, she said.
“Our coffee is specially roasted by Tug Hill Artisans Roasters in Lowville and our teas are hand-blended by 210 Teas in Syracuse,” she said.
It’s not just a café
“We are noted for boutique shopping as well as music and community events,” she added.
North Shore Coffee and Tea Company offers honey from the Irish Bee, maple syrup from Gurgling Brook Farm and specialty jarred pantry items from Jacobs Produce.
In addition to food and drink, they also have a retail area featuring artisan potters, clothing upcyclers, knitters, blacksmithing, painters, natural and home and body products.
“We are also home to The Toy Library of the North Shore which is a nonprofit organization that lends toys and books to families and individuals,” she added. “We also offer music [open mic nights], special events and rent out our space for special events. Our main goal is to use only local talent and local businesses.”
Positive impact
“The best part about owning a business is meeting people, impacting someone’s life positively and the personal satisfaction of doing something your own way,” she said.
Her advice for anyone considering starting their own business is “Make sure your idea is something you are passionate about. Decisions seem to come naturally when you have a clear goal in mind and are mentally and physically invested.”
North Shore Coffee and Tea Company is located at 676 state Route 49 in Bernhards Bay. For more information, visit https://northshorecoffeeteaco.com.
