ALBANY, NY: A new café that serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch was welcomed to downtown Albany with a ribbon cutting ceremony today, December 13. Joining Owner Jaime Ortiz, 677 Prime Executive Chef Ken Kehn, and Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) Executive Director Georgette Steffens in celebrating Primrose Café at its 677 Broadway location were Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, and Albany County Senior Policy Analyst Lucas Rogers.
Ortiz’s portfolio has grown substantially in recent years, with five dining establishments under the JO Restaurant Group brand opening throughout the capital region. The Primrose Café, just blocks away from where his career started at the Albany Pump Station, is the second Downtown location for Ortiz, who became owner of 677 Prime in 2017 after having been a Chef at the destination eatery since it opened in 2005
The decision to take over the newly renovated space on the office side of the building was a natural progression, Ortiz said, as 677 Prime has not resumed daytime service and the cafe offered the opportunity to serve fresh breakfast and lunch options prepared daily on-site. Wanting to represent Albany, the name for the grab-and-go business is a combination of 677 Prime and roses, New York State’s flower. Already attracting nearby office employees and residents, Ortiz and Kehn are working to extend their reach with a newly launched catering menu, with plans also including offering the ability to order online for pickup.
Kehn, who manages the location, and Ortiz developed the menu on which customers will find offerings that include Smoked Salmon Croissant Sandwich with egg and gribiche cream cheese, Spinach, 3-Cheese & Morningstar Farms Vegetarian Sausage Wrap, salads with chicken or salmon protein options, and smoothies; since opening November 1, customer favorites have emerged and include Chicken Caprese Panini and RX Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. When deciding on beverages, JO Restaurant Group management conducted a blind tasting with Chris’s Coffee before deciding on a house brew that’s among nearly two dozen drink options available including coffee, flavored lattes, and iced drinks; Primrose Café customers have navigated especially toward their Americano and Vanilla Latte.
Primrose Café owner Jaime Ortiz said: “I believe strongly in Downtown and am thrilled to have another business that serves residents and workers alike. Feedback has been wonderful from our customers, and Primrose Café offers us the opportunity to expand the thing we love to do – to invest in and feed the community. We invite you to come and experience a delicious meal and coffee to start your day or power through the afternoon.”
Mayor Kathy Sheehan said: “I’m delighted that Primrose Café has been added to the breakfast and lunch offerings in downtown Albany, especially with Jaime Ortiz bringing his expertise to the menu and atmosphere. I want to thank Jaime for his investment in downtown Albany and wish him continued success in this most recent addition to his impressive portfolio of dining options in the Capital Region.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III said: "Downtown Albany is fortunate to have many delicious dining options and restaurants and we are fortunate to welcome a new one. I want to extend a warm welcome to the Primrose Café and thank you to Jaime for providing another great restaurant for those who work and live in Downtown. Congratulations and best of luck in this new venture!"
County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said: “Jaime Ortiz is a well-known and respected entrepreneur, having opened a number of new restaurants throughout Albany County and the Capital Region over the years, and it’s great to see his next venture. As more people return to offices after the economic shutdown and many move into the neighborhood, downtown Albany and its business community have been experiencing an exciting comeback, and The Primrose Café is the perfect addition offering locals another option for a delicious breakfast, lunch or a cup of coffee.”
Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens said: “Jaime is known in this industry and the region for his passion and creativity, and we are thrilled he has chosen to expand his offerings in Downtown with a new breakfast and lunch option. As restaurants have been going through an incredibly challenging time, it speaks to Jaime’s entrepreneurship and determination that he is choosing growth and investment. For the employees, residents, and visitors in our District, this opening adds delicious new breakfast and lunch options. Congratulations on the opening of Primrose Café and thank you all that you do for Downtown.“
Primrose Café, located inside 677 Broadway, is open Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-3:00 PM and accepts card payments only. For more information, call 518.275.0162, visit theprimrosecafe.com, or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/theprimrosecafe.
