New coffee shop in Albion, Rise & Grind, already has devoted following

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 January 2024 at 7:29 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Haley Black opened Rise & Grind last month, a coffee shop in downtown Albion at the corner of East Bank and North Main.

Black, 23, already has a devoted customer base, from teen-agers to senior citizens. She opened the business after 2 ½ years at Batavia Downs, working as a server and then a supervisor at the Fortunes restaurant.

Haley Black makes a specialty coffee for a customer this afternoon at Rise & Grind.

She wanted to be in her hometown, and run a business where people could unwind and relax.

“We already have our regulars,” Black said this afternoon at Rise & Grind. “I’m people person and I’ve already made so many new friends.”

Her mother Marilyn Black has been a downtown mainstay for more than 30 years as the owner of Hair Fantasy next door. Haley’s father Corey Black did many of the renovations inside Rise & Grind, which previously was the Coffee Joint. Haley picked the colors and the look of the place are her ideas.

The result is a homey and inviting place that includes a sofa, many tables and chairs, and games and puzzles for people to enjoy.

Haley feels confident Rise & Grind has a long future at 63 North Main St. Besides coffee, tea and cold drinks, she has many sandwiches, as well as bagels, muffins and baked goods. She has partnered with other local businesses for some of the food items, but makes her own paninis, and eggbites with sausage and cheddar.

Black has impressed customers with the repertoire of drinks and a growing menu. Her father believes she will make the business a success, and give the downtown a welcoming space.

“She has the work ethic and the personality,” he said.

Haley said she has lots of other ideas for the site, including outdoor seating in the summer.

Rise & Grind is closed on Sundays. It’s open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday through Saturday.

Haley and her father Corey Black are outside the new coffee shop in downtown Albion. Black and his wife Marilyn own the building, which also has Hair Fantasy next door. The Rise & Grind sign went up on Sunday.