Fiddlehead locks down second Rochester location

A Rochester café has announced plans for a second location.

Fiddlehead Coffee Company co-owner Sarah Phelan said Monday that the business plans to lease 2,100 square feet of space in the Avani apartment building, located on the grounds of the original Miracle Mile. The building is anchored by Fresh Thyme, a natural grocery store.

The menu for the new café will look a lot like the one at Fiddlehead’s downtown restaurant. One notable exception, according to Phelan, is that the Avani shop will have a wider array of grab-and-go sandwich and salad options. The new location, positioned on the northeast corner of the building, will also have an outdoor patio facing the neighborhood.

The Fiddlehead team, according to Phelan, had originally been looking for a second spot on the north side of town before discovering the Avani space. Phelan said they were attracted to the new spot because, like the original café, it has a “built-in” community with an apartment complex above and neighborhood nearby. The space is also a stone’s throw from St. Marys.

Fiddlehead opened its first independent café last year after spending a short time operating out of Forager Brewery. The shop is located in the Flats on 4th apartment building, across the street from the government center.

Phelan said despite having a tough first winter due to weather, the team has learned a few lessons that should help them as they take on a second spot. One notable change from the original concept is that Fiddlehead has moved away from fine dining, instead focusing on breakfast and causal café food.

One thing they have not strayed from, however, is their commitment to doing their own on-site roasting. Phelan said both locations will also continue to source their ingredients locally, when possible.

The new café is scheduled to open this fall.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.