The Coffee Pot Cafe in Southport

In the heart of Southport, a new cafe is brewing. The Coffee Pot opened on Aug. 1, with owners Hans and Dan Schoonover operating the spot. “We’re just trying to make a nice, cozy place to come and relax,” Hans said.

The Coffee Pot is kind of like a coffee shop, deli and bodega all rolled into one. The large space is stuffed with sofas and love seats, high and low tables and community bulletin boards. It’s a laid back independent respite in the chain-dominated neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen.

While the location is somewhat tucked away, the menu is extensive. Customers can order everything from a breakfast sandwich to a full Irish meal and even homemade soups and desserts.

As for the coffee, Hans and Dan serve up beans from Joe Bean Coffee Roasters in Rochester. The couple also bakes and makes the coffee bar’s pastries, including muffins, cupcakes and cookies. They plan to add more sandwiches and soups, as well as cold cut meats, in the fall.

The Coffee Pot is one of GE’s new products aimed at the kitchen counter and boasts modern smart capabilities, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, app control and support for Google and Alexa voice assistants. It’s designed to brew excellent cups of joe, and it works fast, bringing our standard 8-cup test pot to a boil in under 5 minutes. Temperature levels remained consistent, with readings staying within 1.5 degrees of the ideal during the brewing cycle.