By Marco Antoima – The Culinary Chronicle

In the quiet Hudson River village of Schuylerville, best known for its Revolutionary War history and charming small-town feel, you might not expect to find a coffee shop with big-city style. Yet Kickstart Coffee Co. delivers just that: a modern café with a biker-inspired edge, serving excellent coffee in a space that feels creative, communal, and undeniably cool. It’s the kind of place where locals gather, travelers make a point to stop, and coffee lovers find themselves lingering long after their cup is empty.

The Story

Kickstart Coffee Co. is the vision of Jamie and Ray, two friends who grew up in the motorcycle scene and wanted to create more than just a café, they wanted a meeting place for riders, artists, and anyone who loves good coffee. Their journey began as a social media page (518 Motorcycles), celebrating the local bike culture, and eventually led them to partner with Mike Milliron of Iron Coffee Co. in Hoosick Falls, whose passion for small-batch roasting inspired Kickstart’s approach to quality coffee. Today, the café blends these two passions, motorcycles and coffee, into a space that’s both stylish and rooted in community.

The Vibe

The moment you step inside, you’re met with a blend of rustic-industrial design and vintage motorcycle art,  think Brooklyn loft meets small-town gathering spot. It’s laid-back and welcoming, with staff who are genuinely friendly and happy to talk coffee. In warmer months, outdoor seating adds to the charm, making it a perfect stop before exploring the historic surroundings. The energy is modern but unpretentious, a place where you could just as easily come to read a book as meet friends for a ride.

The Coffee and the Food

Coffee is where Kickstart truly excels. Their single-origin offerings highlight beans from Brazil, Tanzania, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia, each roasted to bring out unique tasting notes, chocolate and plum from Brazil, raspberry and honey from Costa Rica, floral and wine-like complexity from Ethiopia. Their house Kickstart Blend strikes a balance between cocoa sweetness and subtle fruit, making it a versatile choice for everyday drinking. Seasonal drinks are thoughtfully crafted too; the Eggnog Latte in December, for instance, tastes like pure holiday comfort.

Food here leans creative, with sandwiches and breakfast bowls that feel fresh and inventive rather than predictable café fare. However, I do have two notes:

• Pastries: The baked goods seem to be sourced rather than house-made, and while decent, they lack the artisanal flavor that elevates a great café experience. Freshly baked pastries could really round out the menu and match the quality of the coffee. That said, the sticky buns are an exception, warmed up, they’re soft, gooey, and absolutely worth ordering.
• Wait times: While coffee orders come out quickly, food can take longer, I’ve waited up to 45 minutes for a sandwich during a weekday lunch. It’s understandable given the small kitchen, but a bit more prep work ahead of time could probably shorten waits without taking away from the quality.

Why It’s Special

Kickstart Coffee Co. blends high-quality coffee with a unique cultural vibe you won’t find elsewhere in the area. It’s stylish yet approachable, rooted in both motorcycle culture and a genuine love of community. Their partnership with Iron Coffee Co. and commitment to small-batch roasting ensure every cup is thoughtfully prepared, while the setting feels like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered in historic Schuylerville.

Recommendation

Go for the coffee, whether you choose a single-origin pour-over or the house blend, you’ll taste the care in every sip. Pair it with a savory breakfast sandwich or bowl, and if you visit in December, don’t miss the Eggnog Latte. Plan for a little extra time if you’re ordering food, especially on weekends, and grab a bag of beans to take home. Kickstart is worth the trip, even if it’s a 40-minute round drive, like it is for me.

Thanks for reading, Marco.

Visit Kickstart Coffee Co.

_{Photos from Kickstart Coffee Co.}