GENESEO – Opening day on Wednesday at Cricket’s Coffee Company on Main Street has curious customers browsing through a pleasant selection of baked goods and drinks in a lovely rustic-modern atmosphere.

Cricket’s freshly unfurled menu offers a variety of in-house baking and pastries, as well as a wide selection of coffees Cricket’s strives to be considerate to those with special dietary needs, as soy and almond milk are available in all beverages, and gluten-free goodies are in the works. Owner Renee Livingston’s fabulous decor pays homage to the historical, antiquated feel of upstate New York augmented by her personal aesthetic.

“I spackled, painted walls, and rewired outlets myself, most things that my father has taught me,” said Livingston, “This was a step I took for myself after the passing of my father.”

‘Cricket’ was originally a childhood nickname given to Livingston by her late father, and inspired the name of her coffee shop.

The bright space features and handmade light fixtures are fashioned from up-cycled materials like chimney sweeps and roof vents. Salvaged shutters make updated to shelving units. A wooden counter facing front bay windows faces patrons toward Main Street, making a perfect people watching perch. Most of the materials are from Livingston’s family or her late father’s storage garage, including an antique stand-up piano that shows its hammers and strings.

Fabulous family treasures dot the coffee house’s walls, including an antique stand-up piano that shows its complex inner hardware.

Livingston added that although opening day certainly is a rush, great things are in store at Cricket’s. Livingston hopes to feature diverse items from local artisans in the near future, from landscape paintings to wacky pottery and sculptures. Music is also welcome in Cricket’s, as Livingston plans to begin hosting a weekly open-mic night very soon.

PHOTO CAPTION: (Photos/Victoria DuBon)