Josh Decker and James Elkin from Monaco's Coffee
Welcome to Lost + Found, a series of short, standardized Q+A interviews with people involved in the Finger Lakes community. This week we had a cup of Joe with the owners of Monaco’s Coffee, Josh Decker and James-Emery Elkin.
Tell us a little about Monaco’s Coffee. Any news or updates you would like to share?
JD: Monaco’s is a neighborhood coffee shop in Geneva, New York. It’s a wide open space that gives people an opportunity to do work, grab a bite to eat, and a cup of coffee. We specialize in coffee but we are constantly expanding our menu. We’re doing more every season, trying to figure out what the community wants. I think the space is definitely what was needed here. It seems like people have really taken to it, from Hobart & William Smith College students and professors, to tourists visiting the area.
JE: Monaco’s is a throwback to when every neighborhood had a little sundries place to get their staples. The idea came from the original Monaco’s grocery store that was in this space 100 years ago. Josh just purchased a coffee roaster, so the next chapter is to start roasting beans.
JD: We are expanding into production of roasted coffee. The roaster will be located right downtown in Geneva, which has become a great makers hub for introducing new products. We’re going to dive into green coffee buying, packaging, and find a way to do that sustainably. We’re excited to offer our own coffee, not just for people visiting the community but for people locally to get behind as something that is their own.
In other news, we’ve been slingin’ a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches. We have also introduced fresh smoothies as a refreshing summertime option, which can include dairy or be made Vegan.
What other food or local eateries are you enjoying at the moment?
JD: Amity Coffee in Penn Yan has always been one of my favorites. I just love what they did with that space, and their drinks are on-point all the time. Not to mention, their social media game is so strong. For food, Red Dove Tavern is always rock solid. They’re kind of the foundation of this movement in Geneva, they were super instrumental in seeing through this conversion. We really appreciate them for sticking their necks out and doing something that changed this town.
JE: Graft Wine Bar in Watkins Glen is one of my favorite places. Right here in Geneva, La Reyna de México Restaurant is kind of epic. It’s a little hole in the wall joint where you can get your lunch and groceries. They have huge burritos, which I live for. You can eat it on the run, plus you always know the food is going to taste authentic.
Do you have a favorite local beverage?
JD: For me, Bad Dog IPA from Lake Drum Brewing. I probably drink that more than anything else.
JE: I’m partial of course, but Joe at The Linden Social Club really makes some fantastic cocktails. I like anything that is spicy or smoky. Joe makes a great Purple Margarita on Taco Tuesdays. He can make you anything but he is doing stuff that I don’t even know about. Otherwise, if I’m drinking I’m usually down at Lake Drum.
What is your favorite outdoor activity to do around the Finger Lakes?
JE: Man, I’m all about fishing, especially this time of year. To me, being able to pull a creature out of like, a different universe—it’s something beautiful to behold. It’s just a wonder to marvel at. I don’t eat them, I catch and release, but to me theres a certain serenity out there on the water. I grew up fishing, and I didn’t do it for many years, but I’m getting back into it and it’s by far my favorite thing to be doing.
JD: There are less activities to do in the winter, but I do snowboard. In the summer, you can find me biking or sailing. I bought a boat about four years ago and there is serious serenity to it, especially when you’re by yourself. It’s a different sort of freedom.
What is one of the best kept secrets in the Finger Lakes?
JD: I don’t know that the town of Hector is a secret, but it has so much of it’s own culture. Two Goats Brewing is everyone’s favorite place to be down there. Also in terms of secrets is the Naples Hotel. That place is so cool. It has that old-timey feel to it, like you’re out west or something.
JE: The Finger Lakes also has an extraordinary music scene. We’ve had some pretty renowned musicians come out of this area in the Folk, Bluegrass, and Jazz scene. Legendary Jazz double bassist Scott LaFaro had roots in this town. In popular music, Geneva has a lot of claim to fame with Travis McCoy, Gym Class Heroes, and Milo Bonacci from Ra Ra Riot.
One of the best kept secrets is that on any given night you could stumble into places like Microclimate Wine Bar, Two Goats Brewing, or Kashong Creek Craft Cider & Cocktail Lounge and hear amazing musicians. Microclimate has a Jazz Night on first Thursdays of each month, as well as a Folk Night on last Thursdays. There’s a real underbelly of good musicians here—a great backwoods picker scene. Grassroots Music Festival is epic, but the best kept secret is the other 51 weeks of music here.
Photo: Mike Jasik
Lost + Found is a series of short, standardized Q+A interviews with people involved in the Finger Lakes community. We sit down with the seekers, artisans, crafts people, and enthusiasts of the region, searching for food & drink, entertainment, culture, nature – everything that makes The Finger Lakes great. We invite you to get lost with us, and maybe find yourself along the way.
