{"id":28631,"date":"2013-11-07T19:37:43","date_gmt":"2013-11-08T00:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/saratogabusinessjournal\/2013\/11\/upgrades-improvements-at-caffe-lena.html"},"modified":"2017-11-08T13:52:58","modified_gmt":"2017-11-08T18:52:58","slug":"upgrades-improvements-at-caffe-lena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/saratogabusinessjournal\/2013\/11\/upgrades-improvements-at-caffe-lena\/","title":{"rendered":"Upgrades, Improvements at Caff\u00e9 Lena to Include Additional Space and an Elevator"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"caffe-lena-wm.jpg\"\n<\/div>\n
Caff\u00e9 Lena, the famous folk coffee house at 47 Phila St., is undergoing a renovation that will increase space and improve comfort, while also bringing the aging building up to code\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

By Erin Silk<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e9 Lena, America’s oldest continuingly
\noperating folk coffee house located at 47 Phila
\nSt. in Saratoga Springs is getting a facelift.<\/p>\n

When the building was purchased in 1998,
\nplans for expansion were far off as the caf\u00e9
\nwent about its business of promoting “good Folk
\nSince 1960,” where legendary artists like Bob
\nDylan and Ani DiFranco launched their careers.<\/p>\n

“There was always a dream of adding an
\nelevator to be able to open up the second
\nfloor , but never a dedicated staff member to
\nhelp make it happen,” said Associate Director
\nDianne Winter, a financial manager who
\nwas brought on staff in May of 2013 who is
\ncharged with raising money for the renovation
\nproject. <\/p>\n

“We’re in the ‘quiet-non-quiet’ phase of raising money,” said Winter, who speaks excitedly about what the plans for expansion mean for guests and performers alike.<\/p>\n

Winter promises that Caff\u00e9 Lena’s funky vibe will stay true and guests can still expect the cozy exposed brick and warm colors to remain, however she hopes it will be a “more comfy and accessible entertainment experience for the audience and entertainers.”<\/p>\n

Besides updating Caff\u00e9 Lena’s look, much of the renovation will be structural to bring the building up to code, including adding ADA-compliant restrooms and shoring up the foundation.<\/p>\n

The caf\u00e9’s theater space will be also reorganized to include an artist “green room,” a volunteer room, a kitchen and two new office spaces.<\/p>\n

But the biggest improvements will be an expanded listening room which will go from seating 85 guests to 105, and the stairway and elevator that will open up to a proper entryway and lobby.<\/p>\n

With 100 percent participation by Caff\u00e9 Lena’s board of directors, Winter said they are encouraged to reach their goal of $1.5 million. Some $1.2 million of that will be used for renovation. The remaining $250,000 is earmarked for an endowment for future needs and booking artists.<\/p>\n

“We’re at 8 to 10 percent of our goal at this early stage,” said Winter.<\/p>\n

Artists who have been a part of the caf\u00e9’s history are also lending a hand in fundraising efforts. “Performers are really jazzed about what we’ve done and the want to help us keep the dream alive,” said Winter.<\/p>\n

Caff\u00e9 Lena’s recently released a “live at Lena’s” CD and coffee table book detailing the folk caf\u00e9’s rich history. The caf\u00e9 has been collaborating fundraising efforts with community stakeholders like Skidmore College, One Caroline Bistro and the newly-opened Northshire Bookstore on Broadway.<\/p>\n

guests will soon enter Caff\u00e9 Lena through a new entrance on Henry Street while the old Phila Street entrance will host more green space with plans for a bench and statue for an inviting park-like feel for customers.<\/p>\n

The renovation project won’t disrupt the soulful folk shows that Caff\u00e9 Lena is famous for. Winters expects to keep bringing in sought after musicians and actors even as plans to enlarge the caf\u00e9s listening room take shape in 2015.<\/p>\n

For more information on upcoming shows or to make a donation to the renovation project, visit caffelena.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Caff\u00e9 Lena, the famous folk coffee house at 47 Phila St., is undergoing a renovation that will increase space and improve comfort, while also bringing the aging building up to code By Erin Silk Caff\u00e9 Lena, America’s oldest continuingly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":16416,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[49,57,110,115],"class_list":["post-28631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-news","tag-arts","tag-business-news","tag-restaurants","tag-saratoga-springs"],"yoast_head":"\r\nUpgrades, Improvements at Caff\u00e9 Lena to Include Additional Space and an Elevator - Saratoga Business Journal<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/saratogabusinessjournal\/2013\/11\/upgrades-improvements-at-caffe-lena\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Upgrades, Improvements at Caff\u00e9 Lena to Include Additional Space and an Elevator - 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