The Hardware Cafe and General Store in Fair Haven has a way of grabbing hold of people. The 566 Main St. building is equal parts eatery and shop, and dates back to 1874.
A historic but humble presence in the quaint Lake Ontario village, it's a popular destination for tourists. Owners Larry and Susan Lemon told The Citizen they see more than 35,000 customers each summer, and the other seasons are busy enough for them to stay open. That presence also won the Lemons over.
The couple retired from Lockheed Martin in the early 2000s and wanted to find a quiet place to enjoy the rest of their lives. They bought a home outside the village, frequented the cafe for coffee and fell in love with it. When it came up for sale in 2014, they considered the risk and went for it.
Aside from breakfasts and lunches, the Lemons continue to share this chapter of their lives with familiar faces and traveling strangers. "It's more of an experience," Susan said. "The combination of food and retail is wonderful.
Customers can eat and browse." Where Cayuga County Eats is a new monthly feature in The Citizen highlighting the "hidden gem" restaurants of the area. To suggest a restaurant for a future edition, email david.
[email protected] , call (315) 282-2245 or message @auburncitizen on Facebook. Hardware Cafe and General Store in Fair Haven.
The Hardware Cafe and General Store takes pride in promoting small businesses and artists even if what they sell isn't entirely local. Items for sale include apparel,.
