By Kristine Giurco
PLATTSBURGH- Koffee Kat, of downtown Plattsburgh, offers more than coffee to its
customers. The eccentric shop is covered with bright colors, local artwork, and nothing your
favorite Dunkin Donuts would have.
While asking Patricia Ann Waldrom, the owner of Koffee Kat, what inspired her to make
her coffee shop covered in glaring paint she said, “I used to work at a prison so it was hard to just
pick one color after being exposed to only black and white for so long. I love the way it looks.”
Mounted on top of the assortment of colors is artwork from the Plattsburgh community.
Artists rent wall space from Waldrom and hang their work to sell to Koffee Kat customers. The
wall consists of paintings, candles, and even homemade jewelry up for sale.
The coffee shop is very music oriented as well. Waldrom describes Koffee Kat as “an
awesome 1970s music flashback.” Every Friday night the employees hold an Open Mic Night
that is open to all customers. Anyone can take the Koffee Kat stage.
Chris Bullock, a regular customer since 1997, says that people would never expect the
people that go up on the small stage and sing for the Koffee Kat crowd. “My wife’s a music
teacher so a lot of the time her students will sing for everyone. There’s absolutely no judgment,”
Bullock stated on his third stop at the Koffee Kat that day.
Bullock says that he goes to Koffee Kat for the conversation but has gained much more
from his visits over the years. While meeting a lot of business associates helping his career to
grow, the loyal customer also states that he has become good friends with the employees.“I’ve
been out of a car a few times and employees have drove me places. It’s like a bar where you can
talk to your bartender,” Bullock adds. “I can’t think of many other places like that.”
Koffee Kat has created a large social atmosphere. Jessica Depol, a Suny Plattsburgh
junior, says that she comes for the social aspect of Koffee Kat. “My group of friends come to do
our homework here. It has free Wi-Fi for us so we can work on our laptops. We sit here all day
just talking and hanging out,” Depol says.
Waldrom says her customers such as Depol and Bullock are what sets her coffee shop
aside from corporate coffee places such as Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. “It’s a place where you
can talk about anything. All taboo subjects are open game. Politics, religion, music, anything.”
Politics is an ongoing theme for the Koffee Kat. While entering the establishment, jars
are assembled with each presidential candidate’s name on it. Each customer is welcome to place
a coffee bean in their preferred candidate’s jar. Jessie James, Koffee Kat employee of almost two
years, says the Koffee Kat’s voting system has caused a lot of conversation among the
community.
“Our co-worker Joel came up with the idea. We got interviewed on News Channel 22 for
it and that was cool for us,” James states. The employee finds it comical that most people don’t
like when he watches them vote, although the votes made aren’t of relevance in the real election.
Customers take the Koffee Kat’s voting jar seriously.
Although the coffee shop is known for their coffee, they sell many other items.
According to Waldrom, the Koffee Kat used to only have one menu board but has grown
throughout the years. The establishment now sells pastries, smoothies, cakes, ice cream floats,
and more snacks. Waldrom’s employee, Jessie James, declares that many customers order their
famous White Cloud Mocha beverage. People get it hot or cold depending on the season.
Koffee Kat customers order various things off the newly altered menu but Waldrom
wants them to leave with, “a big smile and a hankering for another cup of coffee.”
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