Colgate, Saxbys Coffee to renovate the Barge coffee shop

HAMILTON, N.Y. — Saxbys Coffee, LLC and Colgate University have announced plans to “refresh” the Barge Canal Coffee Company in Hamilton, described as a “longstanding landmark” in the community.

The organizations are teaming up for renovation work on the business, which they’ll rebrand as Saxbys at the Barge in August.

Saxbys Coffee is headquartered in Broomall, Pa., near Philadelphia. The company currently has 27 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, DC, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and Texas, according to its website.

The Saxbys announcement didn’t provide specifics on the renovation work or project cost in Hamilton.

Referred to as the Barge, the venue has served the Colgate and Hamilton communities since 1996, Saxbys said in a news release. The Barge’s history as a “community fixture” makes it a “natural fit” for Saxbys, the company contended.

“We could immediately tell that the Barge was a special place for the entire Hamilton community, and that’s something we work hard to achieve at every Saxbys café,” Nick Bayer, CEO and founder of Saxbys Coffee, said in the release. “We’re excited for the opportunity to revitalize this space as Saxbys at the Barge and to use our knowledge to make the café all the more welcoming for guests.”

Judy Schenk, who started at the Barge in its opening year and now serves as manager, will continue in that role “with support from Saxbys,” the release stated.

Saxbys cafés serve coffee, espresso drinks, Fro-Yo!, fruit smoothies, and sandwiches and soups.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com