Motor Oil Coffee opening locations in Albany, Troy

Two Motor Oil Coffee retail locations are opening in Albany and Troy. Currently, the brand’s products can only be purchased on the Motor Oil Coffee website, at farmers’ markets and festival events, and on Amazon.

Joe Bonilla and Rich Fazio, who met at UAlbany and co-founded the creative strategy firm Relentless Awareness just over a decade ago, founded the company in 2021. Bonilla stated that he once co-owned a coffee shop in Upstate New York, where he gained retail experience. As a result of this experience, they chose to launch Motor Oil Coffee.

“However, how did we arrive at the name? In the course of our work in creative strategy, we attended car shows and auctions across the United States, from Pebble Beach to Kissimmee, and regardless of whether a car sold for $1 million or $1,500, the organisers of these events would always say the same thing: “This coffee tastes like motor oil, ha, ha, ha.” “The name sort of stuck,” Bonilla said.

Initially, the co-founders only intended to sell their products wholesale and at events. But Bonilla stated that these opportunities to open retail locations were too valuable to pass up. In collaboration with 518 Craft, the Troy location will offer hot and cold coffee, a small selection of freshly baked goods, and bags of all Motor Oil Coffee blends.

“The response we’ve received from online sales and our markets has been phenomenal, and we’re thrilled to have the chance to expand our presence in the Capital Region,” said Fazio. This partnership with 518 Craft enables us to be in Downtown Troy’s ‘java nexus,’ and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of this community.

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According to the co-founders, the Albany location will serve as the “charging station” of Motor Oil Coffee. It will offer hot and cold coffee, baked goods, beer, wine, cider, cocktails, and premade food in collaboration with Clark House Hospitality. The exact location will be announced later this month. This store will be located in Albany’s warehouse district.

“Having worked on so many Warehouse District projects and initiatives, it’s truly exciting to be able to open Motor Oil Coffee in Albany,” said Bonilla. “As our flagship location – and yes, we intend to explore and open additional locations based on demand – we want our fans and customers to truly experience the Motor Oil Coffee lifestyle of revving up to start your day or keep your body’s engine running.”

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