Call it the revitalization of Schroon’s Main Street 2020: Gutsy entrepreneurs are investing in the town’s future with the opening and revitalization of four businesses just this year: Pitkins, Peak Properties, EveryBODY 518 Nutrition and 9 Mile Coffee.

In our new series you’ll meet the folks involved and their motivations. First up: 9 Mile Coffee. Read more after the jump.

 A glimpse inside the new digs of 9 Mile Coffee’s white, farmhouse style store, reveals a brightly lit inviting space, featuring cozy seating areas. The large space has a modern and rustic feel. The serving counter is built with repurposed timber from joists in the attic of the old space, last home to Red Horse Antiques.

The smell of espresso beans  -- and fresh paint -- hangs in the air. Andrew Gushee, 9 Mile Coffee’s founder, is beaming as he talks about the space.

 And hopefully, quite soon, Andrew would like to see a whole lot of folks enjoying the new surroundings  -- and a view of the lake thanks to the Stewart’s renovation -- with some awesome java, pastries and sandwiches. As of this writing coffee, in the what’s hopefully the middle or end of the Covid 19 pandemic only drinks and the lunch menu are available for takeout.

Some history: The building dates back to the 1860s. At one time it was the  People’s Cash Grocery Store. Andrew was able to recover a piece of the old sign, which he hopes to make a feature in the new space.

“Looking back I should have torn it all down and started fresh,” Andrew told us.

But he and his crew charged ahead, not really knowing what surprises lay ahead (or buried). The refinished hardwood floors are about the only remaining feature which survived a gut renovation, more than 18 months in the making.

“I mean they're not flat. They're not smooth at all, they're missing chunks. But it’s got that character.

Andrew says the only structural elements left of the original building are “basically three quarters of the wall studs of the first and second floor and the basement  three quarters of the floors, and then three quarters of the foundation. Everything else was ripped up. We were down to bare walls. The outside is all brand-new siding. The whole roof and attic are new”.

As for the foundation?

“It had that 20-inch stone foundation that had been shored up in places, which was still good, but at the end of the building it was below grade and had to be replaced. Because of gravity it stepped down and it was actually below grade back there. And so like the wall built on top of it, it was gone. There was a spot 15 to 20 feet long back there that there was nothing holding up the floors.”

Andrew has long had an interest  -- and vision -- in helping to contribute to enhancing Main Street. He grew up here as a kid and his father was well known, most notably for his work for the town and fire department.

“I've been preaching the whole revitalization forever. As a kid, I used to hear people talking about it. Some one’s got to start a trend and I think Lisa (Hess-Marks, from Pine Cone Mercantile) technically started it. So I said let's take it, let's go bigger and that's what really drove me. I'm not going to be just a voice now, let's act on it and let's, let's do it. And it's been nice cause then came along Bark Eaters, they finished the new Stewarts and then came the candy store.”

Andrew says the creation of 9 Mile Coffee has been a dream for a while.

“I've had a vision for having something like coffee, in a place to hang out together. I'm not a coffee nerd, but I've always seen a need for something that's a place to hang.”

When Andrew and his family moved back to Schroon in 2014 from Pennsylvania the local coffee shop – Higher Ground – was “still functioning over there. (The space now occupied by Peak Properties).

“I didn’t want to infringe on it. But then when Paul Mieras (the owner) came to me and said, ‘I'm done, I'm not going to reopen’, then it's like, here's an opportunity to take it. Should we not? So that's two years ago now. It's my wife and I and Taylor. (the store manager) we're rocking this out now. It's so great.”

Next steps? Andrew is building two apartments above the store as potential Airbnb’s. And watch out for a signature blend from Saratoga Springs Kru coffee roasters, based on the beans selected by Andrew and his crew.

As for the future?

“When we opened everybody was so excited. We had people social distancing. Everybody's trying to figure out the future. We will have all of those coffees and pastries and the sandwiches we had in our old space, and all the teas, the hot chocolate chai and the breakfast pastries, when things get better. Right now we are 7 am - 1pm. If the need arises, we will be offering some more things down the road during the summer as well.”

Congrats to Andrew and his crew. May everyone stay safe and healthy as 9 Mile Coffee prospers.