By Darlene Brace
Lake Life- It’s Your Time….
Point, NY. The owners recently opened
a second location, Lake Life Restaurant on
West Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood, NY.
Owners Open Second Restaurant in Lakewood.
Amy Martis, her husband Marc, and three children live in Buffalo. They fell in love with the Chautauqua Lake area and bought a second home in Mayville. They spent a considerable amount of time in Bemus Point, making memories and enjoying the peaceful serenity of the Bemus community. They discussed that a coffee shop café would be a great addition to Bemus Point, and they decided to open a café during the summer of 2021. It’s called Lake Life Café, located at 22 Main Street in Bemus Point, NY 14712.
Lake Life Cafe is a cozy coffee shop where customers place their orders at the counter. The cafe offers plenty of seating options, including tables, couches, and comfortable chairs. It also features an outdoor patio with fun activities such as Corn Hole, Connect Four, and various board games. The atmosphere is simple yet chic and cozy, making it a great spot for relaxing, reading, or working. Customers are encouraged to relax, feel at home, and fully enjoy their time there. At Lake Life Café, they believe that lake life is the best life, and their motto is, “It’s your time” to enjoy it.
The Lake Life Café offers a large variety of hot and cold beverages such as One Line Coffee, teas, iced drinks, lattes, smoothies, espresso, and cappuccino. Their menu also features a variety of omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and baked goods for breakfast as well as salads, sandwich-es, wraps, and paninis for lunch. They also have a small selection of Lake Life Gear, such as T-shirts, hats, and more.
Since its opening, Lake Life Café has been a welcomed addition to the Bemus Point community and has achieved considerable success. The owners believe that a significant part of their café’s success is due to their manager, Joe Gerace, who has been with them since the café opened and continues to be a key asset. With the café doing so well Amy and Marc discussed expanding their business. In 2023, when Schuyler’s Restaurant in Lakewood became available for sale, they decided that this opportunity would be a great fit for them. In November 2023, they purchased what was formerly Schuyler’s Restaurant, located at 4477 W Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750.
After purchasing Schuyler’s, they decided to renovate the building. They stayed open for business while the renovations took place and have gradually transitioned it. They expanded the kitchen, and the new dining area is now about twice the size of the previous one. The restaurant now includes new bathrooms, the new dining room, a new menu, and a new name, Lake Life Kitchen. Lake Life Kitchen has space for over 20 tables, allowing them to accommodate larger groups and private parties. Additionally, they have introduced a kids’ menu and offer breakfast all day.
Now, with owning two businesses, the goal was to incorporate elements from their sister restaurant, Lake Life Café in Bemus Point, into the new Lakewood location. They hope to maintain the exceptional food quality, recipes, and service that the community has come to love while infusing their own brand identity. They were able to retain most of Schuyler’s staff as well as their menu items. They have expanded the menu, including additions like the chicken salad croissant and several other items from Lake Life Café. They have also added a fryer, allowing them to offer favorites like French fries and chicken fingers. Some of their bestsellers include country-fried steak and chicken and waffles.
In Bemus Point, Lake Life Café is open from 7am-2pm on weekdays and from 8am-2pm on weekends. For more information and to view the menu for Lake Life Café, you can visit lakelifecafe.com. Lake Life Kitchen is open seven days a week from 7am-2pm. They currently do not yet have a new dedicated website, but you can find the menu online at schuylerskitch-en.com.
Both of these charming restaurants capture and embrace the essence of Lake Life. They offer a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, making them fantastic additions to our lake communities. At Lake Life Café, you can treat yourself to a delicious selection of hot and cold beverages along with tasty food options. Lake Life Kitchen has a larger and more diverse menu that everyone in the community loves. Together, these sister restaurants truly celebrate the lake life vibe and embrace the “It’s Your Time” motto, inviting you to relax and enjoy every moment spent there!