Business celebrates new owner
Coffee Planet to celebrate new ownership
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » A local coffee shop is changing hands as it enters a new chapter.
Cliff Baum, longtime owner of Coffee Planet, is retiring and selling the business to Kim Tribley, a former coffee sales representative that built a relationship with the cafe over the past five years.
A celebration for this passing of the baton - or in this case passing of the coffee pot - is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday Aug. 3 at the 100 Milton Ave. coffee shop in Ballston Spa. Free coffee and pastries will be available for attendees, and a ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association.
Baum purchased Coffee Planet from its founders in 2003, about a year after it opened, and has operated it ever since.
At that time, the downtown district’s revitalization was just beginning, and Baum has seen it come a long way over the years. Because of this economic development, “We were able to expand and become quite a busy little shop,” he said. “It’s been a fun ride.”
Selling the business is bittersweet, Baum said. “From the moment I stepped foot in Ballston Spa it felt like home,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “This village is the most welcoming and supportive community imaginable. Coffee Planet’s success is because of you, but for me the greatest reward has been the friendships that have come from my time at Coffee Planet.”
Baum is encouraging his many regular customers to welcome Tribley, a Ballston Spa resident who has a background in coffee and customer service, along with a great passion for the village.
“She’s the perfect fit for Coffee Planet,” Baum said.
Though Baum’s offer to take over the business was surprising at first, Tribley said, “It was a no brainer after that. I’m very honored.”
Tribley said she plans to keep Coffee Planet, an es-
tablished business, exactly as is. Other than adding her personal touch, she said, “I’m not going to change anything.”
The new owner did not buy the business with intentions of turning it into anything else. Tribley bought it as Coffee Planet as well as because it’s Coffee Planet, and wants to keep that same structure. “It’s not broke so I’m not going to try to fix it,” she said.
Baum, who calls the coffee shop his baby, will remain involved in the business for a while as a consultant to ensure its long-lasting legacy. “I want to support Kim in any way possible to make sure that she’s successful,” he said. “I want Coffee Planet to be here long after I’m gone.”
Coffee Planet is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
More information about Coffee Planet is available online at www.coffeeplanetcafe.com, www.facebook. com/coffeeplanetbspa and www.instagram.com/coffeeplanetbspa.
Coffee Planet can be contacted by calling 518- 8849913.