Almost two and a half years after its intended opening date, the Copper Cricket Diner is set to open on 107 Utica Street next month. Owner of the Copper Cricket and the Ye Olde Pizza Pub Aaron Toomath is putting the finishing touches on what he hopes is a welcome addition to Hamilton restaurants.
According to Toomath, the diner will be open seven days a week and will serve breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Around May, Toomath intends to add a dinner menu and extend closing hours to either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.
“We’re all done with the construction,” said Toomath, adding that he tried to do as much of the construction as he could himself. “We’re pretty much ready to open up — we’re just at the point where we get to start bringing in some food and training people.”
Supply chain issues and problems with the heating and ventilation systems caused the diner’s main construction delays. Toomath said they ended up having to install a supplementary heat pump after the temperature started dropping to around ten degrees in Hamilton and the first heating system wasn’t enough to warm the diner sufficiently.
“[I am] relieved and excited to finally open,” Toomath said. “Except for the price of eggs, of course.”
Toomath initially bought the Copper Cricket Diner as a backup space for the Pizza Pub while he was going through some estate issues with the property. However, he never ended up needing the new space to continue the Pizza Pub.
“I always thought it would be a great place for a diner,” Toomath said.
The Copper Cricket also has ties to Toomath’s family history.
“The name is recognition for my mom,” Toomath said. “We used to own The Hourglass before it was called ‘The Hourglass’ and it was called ‘The Cricket,’ so I took her logo and the name ‘The Cricket’ and decided to honor her with that.”
Toomath’s initial plan for his diner was to keep the food traditional and cheap. But with a maximum occupancy of around 70 people and the high cost of labor, he quickly realized that he would have to turn the tables a few times a day and push people in and out just to break even. His revised and current concept for the Copper Cricket is to serve higher-end, more unique foods along with a traditional diner menu, in order to make a profit.
The diner will also have a full liquor license and will make specialty mixed drinks.
“We don’t want to be a bar at all,” Toomath said. “We want to be a place where people can just have a great experience and have a good time, just enjoy themselves.”
Colgate students appear up to the task. When asked about her thoughts on a new diner opening in town, sophomore Fife McCargo expressed excitement, as did senior Anya Sokolowski.
“I really love trying new food spots, last semester I would go on adventures to try different coffee shops,” McCargo said. “Safe to say you’ll see me at the grand opening to try this new restaurant.”
“It’s always exciting when new dining options open in Hamilton, so I will definitely be happy to try it when it opens,” Sokowlowski added.
Sophomore Payton Caggiano shared this enthusiasm.
“We need more food places, especially for breakfast. If it was open at night too, they could make so much money,” Caggiano said.
Toomath is optimistic that the Copper Cricket will provide Hamilton residents and Colgate students with what they’re looking for.
“Hopefully it’s a unique enough atmosphere,” Toomath said. “I’m trying to make it warm and inviting, and hopefully it’ll lend people a way to get away and have a good time for a little bit. That’s the nice thing about the restaurant business — you’re providing people with an experience.”
