Westcott Recess Coffee House in Syracuse, NY: Roasters with the Magic Beans

Two guys and a coffee pot: Recess grow from small time coffee bar. Recess Coffee house looks like a fraternity house with coffee house awnings from the outside. Yet many small changes have made this Coffee house the go to hot spot for a cup of joe and hipster hot spot in the Westcott Neighborhood.

Many a parent visiting their college age student at Syracuse University has needed to be coaxed inside. Once inside the hominess and clean but warm atmosphere of the coffee house immediately puts them at ease, and then the magic happens they taste the coffee.

Soon they are seated at one of the tables in the front or curled up on one of the many comftortable couches in the back laughing and chatting over a cup of the slow hand roasted goodness that is Recess Coffee.

Recess was re-opened in January 2007 by Adam Williams and Jesse Daino. Both entrenched in the hardcore scene and no strangers to vegan and vegetarianism they began serving up a cup of coffee with delicious sides of vegan cookies, and muffins. Because of both men's links with the animal rights and sustainable agriculture crowd all coffee drinks were offered veganized free of charge and quickly drew in a large animal rights and vegetarian crowd.

Free WiFi internet access, and Art from local artists hung for sale began to grace their walls. Soon after they began to roast their own beans, and local companies began to buy them to serve in local groceries, and restaurants in the Westcott and surrounding areas.

However, do not think for a second that these two guys forget their roots. Jesse is the drummer for local hardcore band Ed Gein and still has strong local ties to local hardcore scene. In fact on a daily basis you will see kids of all ages come in and Adam and Jesse will greet them by name from one hardcore band or another.

Often people playing the Westcott Theatre, even people playing as far down as the Westcott community, center make is a point to come down to Reccess Coffee house to take in a cup before a show to caffiene up or after a show for the drive home.

It is apparent spending any amount of time in the presence of these two that they know and care about a lot of people and causes in their community.

Adam used to work at the Syracuse Community Coop and has local connections with friends and community members. He still uses that connection with the community. Both owners have sponsored a booth at Syracuse Vegfest, made donations for Westcott Community center, and hosted CD release parties for friends bands.

The produce and supplies for the shop come predominantly from the Syracuse Community Coop whenever possible, including some fixings for the newest item on their menu, the sandwiches.

Recently wanting to branch out and offer their clientele more of a menu they began offering the sandwiches.

Keeping with the vegan flair they offer Tofurkey, Avocado, and peanut butter and jelly. With two choices of bread, lettuce, tomato, veganaise, and choice of four types of "Dirty" potato chips

"We aren't trying to become a sandwich shop" says Adam. "Just give a little more to our customers" It is in that spirit and wanting to bring their friends and the community into the coffee house they created a movie night where they show everything from old Horror movies to Cult classic movies.

Thats Reccess in a nutshell, always giving a little more.