Freedom of Espresso

I loved the place. Coffee was good. Pastries were good. The barista was super friendly and there's parking right there. Would definitely go back when in the area.

Great non chain coffee shop. They roast their own. Very comfortable place to sit too. Great playground park next door. Oh they are dog friendly too!

Love their mocha and coffees. And they have Sweet Jimmy's baked goods! Nice place to sit and drink a cup of your favorite brew.

First Act, Started at 6:31 AM, Posted 6:59 AM

My plan to vote seemed to depend on a rideshare.

I planned to show up at the polls before opening at 6 AM, vote fast and haul a@#$% to the bus stop.

If I missed the 6:30 AM Express, I could anyways call a rideshare.

Uber and Lyft made some noise about helping people reach the polls for a greatly reduced price.

I wanted a free ride from the polls to work, but the app showed no offers or price breaks.

I found two men at the door at 5:57 AM, and I addressed the two.

"Good morning, looks like we know who the patriots are".

One guy shot back, "It's a lot like my lottery club.

We buy a ticket together every week.

Can't hurt".

We heard the bells of a church tolling the hour and we walked right in the big room for community events.

I went to the wrong precinct desk and could have been voter number one in my precinct had I gone first to the right desk.

Marking my ballot took no time at all, I even made a point to split my ticket, voting for female candidates when I crossed over from my party line.

I left the polls at 6:07 AM and made it to Freedom of Expresso by 6:14 AM, enough time for a cuppa and a leisurely seven minutes taking in the local color.

A man in glasses sporting a Howie Mandel hair cut gave me a glance as he looked up from his paper.

He wore green scrubs and sat at a tall two top.

A woman waltzed in and love slapped him on the head.

"Good morning, you".

Slap.

Obviously friends who shared a cuppa in the wee hours before today.

No one asked me about the election until I got on the bus and the driver asked.

I had kept my "I voted" sticker in my pocket to put on my shirt at work.

He didn't sound too happy about the current regime in power.

"Fire them all.

No more incumbents".

I always admire political emotion, bravely expressed.

We are slowing down, exiting the expressway at the ramp by Upstate Hospital.

We are six riders, all drinking coffee, all but myself listening to headphones.

Really.

I like ambient sound.

We actually have a passenger to stop off at the hospital station, named after a pioneering doctor, Sarah Loguen Fraser, daughter of a leading abolitionist.

I'm going to shoot for two or three bagels baked in a wood fire between buses, great American bread for a guy who got up early to exercise an American right.

Excellent coffee shop, great atmosphere, and most importantly excellent coffee! The only tough thing is it's location on Genesee street..not easy to get into, but can't hold that against them.

Great quality coffee and other drinks, friendly people, and a cozy atmosphere great for dates or getting work done. Very relaxing and next to a lovely park if you want to take a walk.

Great coffee, authentic European cafe vibe! Always calm and relaxing. You can even sit outside when it's nice. Parking no problem.

Best interior of all the Freedom of Espresso locations, love the arts and crafts style, especially the intricate window design. And they always make a perfect iced Americano.

So comfortable, and the coffee is delicious. The staff is very friendly, and the best part is that its a local business. Don't go to Starbucks when you can go local!

A wonderful little escape from reality. Excellent staff and wonderful selections. Best matcha latte in town!