©2023 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jill Nagy
Jeffrey Miller calls himself “an entrepreneur at heart” and has opened a coffee shop in Stillwater in a building he has owned since 2019.
He owns JEM Properties LLC, based in Saratoga Springs, and has 20 years of experience in the real estate business. This is his first venture into the food service arena.
The new shop, called Upton Coffee Company, is located at 751 Hudson Ave. in the heart of Stillwater’s small commercial area.
He had a soft opening on July 1, and a full-fledged ribbon-cutting is expected to take place in mid-July.
Miller bought the building, consisting of seven apartments and three commercial spaces, as a rental property. A barber and a pizza restaurant occupy the other commercial spaces and the apartments are also occupied.
Miller sees his shop as a gathering place for village residents. He plans “a full coffee menu” from decaf to espresso, hot or iced, along with teas, water and soft drinks. A selection of baked goods from Rockland Bakery and other local suppliers will complement the coffee. Miller has no immediate plans for a broader menu but said he might expand later.
The coffee shop has indoor and outdoor seating, with a counter and bar. The outdoor area overlooks the Hudson River. The space was completely renovated over the past year.
Miller plans to oversee the coffee shop operation, stepping in when necessary, but is leaving the day-to-day operation to two employees.
He and his family live nearby, just outside the village, and his children attend Stillwater Elementary School.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
The telephone number is 518-588-3025.