MTA, Metro-North, LIRR and Coffee Shops

So LIRR just announced new coffee shop/convenience stores at three stations. Back in my commuting days, I remember many stations had coffee shops, but they dwindled over the years. There was nothing like a good cup of joe and a buttered roll on the way into the city.

https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta- ... r-stations

MTA Announces Coffee Shop Convenience Stores Come to Three LIRR Stations


The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that joint coffee shop convenience stores have opened at the Long Island Rail Road stations in Manhasset, Port Washington and Lynbrook. The shops, operated by JPA Consolidated, Inc., carry a selection of beverages including hot coffee and tea and an array of cold drinks as well as sweet treats and sundries for commuters to quickly grab and go.


“The LIRR is always looking for ways to create the best possible experience for our customers,” said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free. “Long Islanders lead busy lives and having a spot to grab their morning coffee or a small snack to start their journey to work or school is an added benefit to riding the Long Island Rail Road every day.”


“As Long Island and New York City continue their comebacks and riders return to public transit it’s important to have amenities like this available to them,” said MTA Chief Real Estate Transactions and Operations Officer David Florio. “Hundreds of thousands of commuters spend part of their day at an MTA facility and these high traffic spots offer a unique opportunity for a business to grow along with the railroad.”


“We are looking to tailor an aesthetically pleasing and approachable environment for the commuter that we call Retail in Motion,” said JPA Concessions Managing Partner Andrew Belding. “Our goals are to increase community social and economic resiliency, improve infrastructure, incorporate environmental and sustainable improvements, create and improve access to the public spaces and hire local staff to support each station.”


JPA Concessions is also in the process of opening an art gallery at Manhasset, showcasing art pieces from local artists.

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Wed Sep 11, 2024 11:16 am So LIRR just announced new coffee shop/convenience stores at three stations. Back in my commuting days, I remember many stations had coffee shops, but they dwindled over the years. There was nothing like a good cup of joe and a buttered roll on the way into the city.

https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta- ... r-stations

Ekiben! Ekiben! Ekiben!

But yeah, coffee and a breakfast sandwich in the morning at the train station's a good match.

There is a 7-Eleven in Mount Vernon West station.
Tarrytown has the Bakehouse.
Irvington has Ludy Cafe.
Bethel has Daily Fare.
Fairfield Metro/Black Rock has Wake-Cup-Coffee.

Not exactly at the station per se, but across the street from the Brewster Metro-North station is Bob's Diner.

My first ride on Metro-North when I was in elementary school (and Southeast was still Brewster North), my grandparents took me from Dover to Brewster to have dinner at that diner. It was a fun, if quick, ride and was my first real exposure to Metro-North aside from watching the trains along Route 22 when we'd go from our house in Sharon regularly to visit them. I think Wassaic Station was just finished, or was close to it, and the F-Units and ACMUs were living out their final days in service.

I don't remember much of the food at Bob's, but that night in general is very much a core memory from happier times

Everyone - Jeff's original post mentions three LIRR stations for the new coffee house/breakfast food concession -
In all three instances breakfast food and beverages are available nearby for commuters...

Manhasset and Port Washington are both on the Port Washington Branch - these two stations are located at or
near the central core of both Villages...These are examples of what is now available:

Manhasset has "For Five Coffee" across Plandome Road from the station building...
Port Washington has a Starbucks adjacent just to the west of the station building...

Lynbrook serves both the Babylon and Long Beach Branches with the downtown core area within walking
distance...There is a White Castle adjacent to the east end of the station - and "Ground Central Coffee" just
across Sunrise Highway (NYS 27-A major six-lane highway) from the Lynbrook Station ticket office...

Many stations have breakfast food and beverages available for morning commuters...There is a wide variety
of these venues available that range from well-known convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, fast food places
(such as the Lynbrook White Castle) and coffee houses ranging from Starbucks (Example-Port Washington)
and Dunkin' Donuts to mom-and-pop type local shops...I even remember mobile coffee trucks setting up AM
shop at certain LIRR stations (Huntington was an example) with permission from the LIRR...

In closing each of these new concessions are going to have already-established local competition...
Will they be good enough to attract AM commuters to introduce their business? MACTRAXX

MACTRAXX wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2024 12:32 pm Everyone - Jeff's original post mentions three LIRR stations for the new coffee house/breakfast food concession -
In all three instances breakfast food and beverages are available nearby for commuters...

Manhasset and Port Washington are both on the Port Washington Branch - these two stations are located at or
near the central core of both Villages...These are examples of what is now available:

Manhasset has "For Five Coffee" across Plandome Road from the station building...
Port Washington has a Starbucks adjacent just to the west of the station building...

Lynbrook serves both the Babylon and Long Beach Branches with the downtown core area within walking
distance...There is a White Castle adjacent to the east end of the station - and "Ground Central Coffee" just
across Sunrise Highway (NYS 27-A major six-lane highway) from the Lynbrook Station ticket office...

Many stations have breakfast food and beverages available for morning commuters...There is a wide variety
of these venues available that range from well-known convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, fast food places
(such as the Lynbrook White Castle) and coffee houses ranging from Starbucks (Example-Port Washington)
and Dunkin' Donuts to mom-and-pop type local shops...I even remember mobile coffee trucks setting up AM
shop at certain LIRR stations (Huntington was an example) with permission from the LIRR...

In closing each of these new concessions are going to have already-established local competition...
Will they be good enough to attract AM commuters to introduce their business? MACTRAXX

I had a damn good rant, but then I took a look at what they're putting in... and I had to delete it.

These are *)!@#*( mini-Hudson travel stores. Basically you got a cooler for drinks, maybe a few sandwiches, prepackaged pastries, the basic stuff you can get at 7-Eleven or any convenience store, and maybe a medium-roast coffee and a decaf. Nothing more, nothing less, and it's a crap-shoot if you get good-brewed coffee. (The one in Amtrak's BWI station tends to burn Eight O'Clock medium roast)