What began as a pandemic-era dream has blossomed into Empire Coffee & Donuts — a vibrant, community-first café in Geneva, according to the Finger Lakes Times. Owners Dan and Rebecca Godwin transformed homemade doughnuts and a love for 1990s coffeehouse culture into a welcoming space for all.
Empire is more than a café. It hosts trivia nights, crafts, live music, and offers free meeting space for students and clubs. Middle schoolers flock there for games, and a pay-it-forward board ensures no kid goes hungry, even without cash in hand.
From donating leftover doughnuts to launching a student scholarship, the Godwins are redefining what a neighborhood business can be — generous, inclusive, and rooted in love for their community.
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