About Us
Our Vision
Community
We envision our space to be a place for our community members to gather for work, fun or just socialize and enjoy our fresh home-made food and fare.
We will offer special events of our own, or we can host your event in our space.
Because of our region’s internet challenges, the availability of and access to free high-speed Wi-Fi Internet is an important part of our building configuration.
Our co-working space can be used for group meetings, sewing bees, a quiet place for doing homework and more.
Sustainability
We believe in a shop-local ethic for both our food products and our local artisan goods. We use fresh, local produce and ingredients whenever possible.
Our Repair Café events are meant to give products a longer lifespan within our homes. Instead of discarding things, let’s see if they can be fixed first in an environment where we can work together and learn from each other, share our skills, etc.
Our furnishings and fixtures are mostly repurposed for use in this space!
Energy Efficiency
We have worked very hard to renovate and restore our historic building in the hamlet of Hartwick.
Our building was the former O.S. Burch General Store and was built c. 1864 and serves as an example of incorporating modern energy efficient heating, cooling, and insulation methods and weatherization techniques while preserving its historic nature.
Having been boarded up for a number of years, we have been able to give it new life with dense pack cellulose insulation, radiant floors and radiant ceilings on the second floor.
The result is a warm, comfortable and amazing space in which to spend time. We hope you will stop in regularly and spend time with the Hartwick community!
Meet Paul & Martha
This husband and wife team have been tirelessly working at the Freight Wheel Café building to complete many of the renovations and improvements themselves, with careful consideration of materials and items of historical significance. Their work was not possible without the expert advice and work of Steve Zerby, sole proprietor of Steve Zerby Design Build.
Paul is retired from a career as an Analyst at Bassett Healthcare and has a passion for music and great coffee. Martha is a local recycling maven and environmental advocate with many successful projects through long time volunteer and Board member work with the Otsego County Conservation Association.
Before & After
