Local bank turns into a coffee shop

ELMIRA, N.Y. ( WETM ) —Not many local coffee shops have a drive through in our area, but a new one opened up at what used to be a bank.

It all started with a dream for first time business owner Tina Smith. After working for Starbucks for nine years, she decided it was time to have something of her own.

“Because of my faith I wanted something that would represent that and just provide a place for people to come that wanted to just come and have a place that they could feel like it’s their home away from home,” said Smith.

Smith found the empty Elmira Savings Bank on Lake Road in Elmira and said this would be the new home for her business.

“I mean when we went in there when we first looked at the building like the drive-through window they had was the one that went out and I was like I just can’t wait to get that out and have one that slides. They had the old safe in there with all these deposit stuff to deposit with the deposit boxes,” added Smith.

The unique thing about Holy Grounds is that people can drive through or walk through the drive through where there’s always a helping hand to serve.

“But I like it. I mean there’s not a lot of local coffee shops that have a drive through. And I understand why because the zoning is really difficult to get the cost is extremely high and then you have to buy like two of everything.”

It’s been a work in progress learning to operate a business, but Smith has had the help of her family along the way.

“Seeing them and seeing how well loved the community has been to them seeing them needing more hands-on deck. I was like I’m getting you guys need it. Like you said supporting small businesses is important, but especially when it’s your own family you never wanna see them struggle,” said Crystina Stansfield, Tina’s daughter in law.

The community has embraced Holy Grounds with open arms. It’s only been a week since the soft opening, and the shop already has regular customers.

“I think I’ve been through every day since they’ve been open but it’s only been about a week or so yeah I’ve got a test coming up so I signed up for the test paid to take it and decided I needed to study every day and was like I gotta find us comfortable place to study and not get distracted and they opened up Holy Grounds,” said Connor Laurey.

The shop is open from 5:30a.m. to 5:30p.m.

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