JCJDC honors Clayton restaurant

A pasta maker, chairs and dishes.

That's how Lyric Coffee House & Bistro owner Katalin I. Danielson said she'll spend the $1,000 prize from the New Business Venture Award she won Friday afternoon.

The Jefferson County Job Development Corp. presented the restaurant with the award during its annual membership meeting at the Black River Valley Club. Ms. Danielson credited her employees and customers for the award.

"I really feel that a business is only as good as its employees," she told a crowd of JCJDC members. "And the customers are the ones that direct us in what we do."

The coffee house and restaurant opened in 2006 at 246 James St., Clayton. Ms. Danielson renovated the former Lyric Theatre using her background as an interior designer. Putting the energy and investment into the renovations and restaurant has made the eatery successful, she said.

"My dad once said to me, 'Find a need and fill it and you will be successful,'" she said. "I think our customers have told us what to do and we've done that."

The Lyric Coffee House & Bistro and three other nominees also receive a year's membership in JCJDC and entry fees waived for the Creative Core Emerging Business and Agribusiness Competitions, which have a $200,000 prize.

The other nominees were Cross Island Farms, Wellesley Island; Chiropractic Wellness Center of Northern New York, Evans Mills and Sackets Harbor, and Vision Center II, Watertown.

"Our nominees this year were from all over the county," said Mary Anne Hanley, JCJDC director of marketing. "For us, as a county economic development agency, this is huge."

The nominees must be in Jefferson County, in operation for two to four years and show how the business has implemented its business plan and grown.

"What we're looking at here is the future," JCJDC Chief Executive Officer Donald C. Alexander said. "Folks like them can overcome a lot of issues that businesses traditionally face. Businesses can be successful in Jefferson County."

Lyric Coffee House will continue to grow. The restaurant will add more events, including wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners, Ms. Danielson said. She also will expand the outdoor seating area.

"We just want to be better at what we do," she said.

ON THE NET

Lyric Coffee House & Bistro: www.lyriccoffeehouse.com