PHOTOS: Peekskill Coffee House Expands

It's been about a month since The Peekskill Coffee House (TPCH) expanded, and owner Sunny Cover says the reaction from locals has been great.

Customers now have more tables to choose from—20 seats were added—and a menu that boasts Belgian waffles and crepes, in addition to the panini sandwiches the coffee house already served.

Cover has been planning the expansion since The Coop, an antique, artisan and gift shop that sits down the block at 107 South Division Street, vacated the space a couple of years ago. She realized the larger space would be a big benefit, as it would allow her to grow the menu.

"When we implemented our paninis customers were so happy to have some 'real' food available to them when they came here, and these have become very popular," she said. "But our space was too limited to offer any expansion on our food menu so taking the space next door would also give us the opportunity to offer our customers more."

The addition would also help during the weekends when the cafe hits capacity and all the tables are full—which Cover said can be discouraging to patrons.

"One of the greatest things about TPCH is this beautiful space and building," she said, added that she obtained the lease in April of this year. "People love to be here."

There's lots of natural light in the new space. Customers can catch a glimpse of the cooking process through glass windows at the top of a partition. It's painted red so it pops against the yellow walls. Cover said patrons love the design.

Behind the scenes things are changing a bit, too. The staff has grown, and they're implementing new systems to get the line moving quicker. They're also in the process of perfecting the crepes and waffles, two foods Cover loves and recommends with a cup of joe.

Crepes come both sweet—think hazelnut spread and strawberry—and savory—the Greek Goddess comes with spinach, feta cheese, olive tapenade and caramelized onions. Prices range from $4.95 to $10.95. Belgian waffles are $4.50. Toppings are extra.

This week was the first selling the new additions. The fact that most plates returned clean is a good sign, Cover said. Soon, customers will be able to build their own crepe creation.

"The learning curve is still happening for our staff, so we hope that our customers will tell us if we have not lived up to their expectations and to also let us know what we can do better," she told Patch. "We are here because of our customers and take great pride in the products we offer and the service we provide."

The Peekskill Coffee House is located at 101 South Division Street. The cafe will celebrate a 10-year-anniversary in October.