×

East Side Connection

Call Center, Cafe Now Open In Lynn Building

From left, Kara Baase, Due East Cafe employee, Heather Lynn, Lynn Development sales and marketing director, and Andrew Stevenson, Due East Cafe employee, at the new cafe inside the Lynn Building, located at 310 E. Third St. Jamestown. The Due East Cafe is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located on the second floor of the Lynn Building. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

The downtown call center with more than 100 employees has moved into its new location and the employees have a convenient place to eat lunch every day.

The Connection earlier this year completed its move from the Furniture Mart Building, located at the corner of West Second and Washington streets, to the Lynn Building, located at 310 E. Third St.

Cyndi McDurmott, The Connection human resources vice president, said Lynn Development help make the transition of moving more than 130 employees from one downtown building to another as smooth as possible. The new office space in the Lynn Building is different than what The Connection had in the Furniture Mart Building. The difference is that all of the business’ employees are now located on one floor instead of two.

“Being on one floor is fabulous,” she said. “Before, we had an entire call center on the fifth floor and we had our (human resources) on first floor. Here at the Lynn Building, being on one floor is easier and during the build out. We worked with the developers (Lynn Development). We were able to customize the space to us.”

Jason Spain, Lynn Development CEO, said The Connection has been an ideal tenant.

The Due East Cafe is now open in suite 233 inside the Lynn Building. The downtown call center The Connection moved into the building earlier this year. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

“They’ve been perfect. They were super excited about the space,” he said. “We designed it to their needs.”

Along with The Connection being located on the second floor of the Lynn Building, the newly opened Due East Cafe is also open on the second floor. McDurmott said it was important to The Connection officials that its new location feel like a “second home” for the employees. She said the new cafe makes it convenient for employees during their lunch break.

“We worked with (Lynn Development) on the plan. We had open discussions about whether to serve breakfast and lunch, and how late to serve food. They gave us different options for food and affordability was a big thing,” she said. “We wanted to be able to provide some of these conveniences we weren’t able to provide in the old building.”

The cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The business features an all day breakfast menu, daily specials, salads, sandwiches, personal pizza and soups. To place an order, call 489-3436. For more information, visit the Due East Cafe on Facebook.

Spain said not only is the cafe for employees at The Connection, but is open to employees at other businesses located in the building and the general public. The Lynn Building also houses the U.S. Post Office, Infinity Visual & Performing Arts, Chautauqua Striders, Jamestown Renaissance Corp., Kelly Services, Saxton, Kocur & Associates, Slick Text and Duncanson Law Firm.

“For the right clients, we will cater to those looking for lighter fair for the right size group. We will do delivery, too,” he said.

Spain said there is still 2,000 square feet of space available to lease on the Third floor that is ready to rent. Also, there is 900 square feet on the second floor that can be built to suit. For more information, call Lynn Development at 665-6620.

In April 2018, the 10-year lease agreement between Lynn Development and The Connection was announced. Negotiations surrounding the agreement involved support from government officials at varying levels — including Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello and former state Sen. Cathy Young, R-Olean.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today