The couple transforming coffee culture in the Capital District

In partnership with

Happy Tuesday, Capital Region! Today, we’re introducing you to the capital’s royal couple of coffee—that’s actually not a thing, but it sounds fancy 😂 Plus, our Home of the Week has rizz and a smokin’ hot price to boot 🏡 

Let’s get you properly caffeinated, shall we? 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Meet the couple transforming coffee culture in the Capital

There are plenty of places to grab a coffee in the Capital District, but how many offer a true coffee experience? Where the aesthetics and vibes are on point, and there’s attention to detail and craftsmanship in every cup? And yet, it’s not too precious or tragically hip?

This is exactly what Jacob and Alejandro Griffin-Diaz set out to create with Jacob Alejandro, their specialty coffee shops in Troy and Albany.

We met up with Jake, one half of the husband & husband duo, over a truly stellar cappuccino at JA. Pequeño, their beautifully appointed outpost in Albany on Madison Avenue across from Washington Park.

“We opened this shop because we were passionate about coffee,” Jake tells us. “We wanted to pour all of our knowledge and love into our own shops.” That passion is evident in every detail—from the house-made syrups and scratch-baked pastries to the selectively sourced, single-origin beans from thoughtful purveyors like Passenger Coffee.

Jake and Alejandro launched their business at the end of 2020, after years of professional experience in the coffee industry. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Jake led regional sales at Irving Farm NY. Hailing from Guatemala, Alejandro is an award-winning barista and latte artist who regularly competes internationally.

They met at First Village Coffee in Ossining, NY, an Irving Farm client that had hired Alejandro as a barista. Although Alejandro dreamed of setting up shop in New York City, Jake convinced him to head upstate to the Capital Region.

“I found Albany, and I loved it because it was city enough, but it wasn't New York City, where it’s really expensive,” Jake says. “We also love the idea of walkable communities, which is what we found in downtown Troy and here in Albany.”

At Jacob Alejandro, they’re not just serving coffee; they’re building a culture and a community around it. Their motto says it all: “Drink coffee, meet the world.” Jake says they want to be accessible for non-coffee geeks, while still maintaining a high caliber for craftsmanship.

“We wanted to be approachable in the way that somebody who doesn't know anything about us can walk in the door and find something that they can enjoy. But then, also get hit in the face really quick—’wow, this is really different.’”

For super fans, they created the JA. Coffee Club to allow customers to try hand-crafted, barista competition-level drinks. The club is getting revamped, so check back to see when invitations will open up again.

The deets: Jacob Alejandro, with a flagship store at 274 River St, Troy; and JA. Pequeño at 466 Madison Ave, Albany. Menu: Latte ($5.25), cappuccino ($4.90), filter coffee ($4). Pro tip: Don’t sleep on their house-made pastries—Jake is a CIA grad, after all. Plus, their specialty drinks like the vanilla citrus spice and iced toffee coffee are incredible. And be sure to follow their IG for events like tastings and special releases.

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

🍕 A dream nearly a decade in the making, DeFazio’s Pizzeria is opening a new restaurant tomorrow that’s eight times larger than its existing location. The TU’s Steve Barnes has a sneak peek at the menu & vibe at DeFazio’s at 216, named after its 4th Street address. Wanna try to beat the hordes to a table? Book on Resy here, starting Wed.

🧑‍🎓 Emma Williard School in Troy has raised a staggering $178 million in its fundraising campaign. Its $200M+ endowment is now the largest of any all-girls school in the country. [Albany Business Review]

📢 Expect big crowds of protestors at noon on Wednesday in front of the State Capitol Building. The 50501 movement—50 states, 50 protests, 1 day—is gathering steam in response to actions by the Trump administration in its first weeks in power.

🛍️ During Black History Month, be sure to visit some of these Black-owned businesses in the Capital District. [News10]

Here’s a charismatic Troy Victorian at a smokin’ hot price. Features original double entry doors and front staircase, with hardwood floors throughout the bright, spacious living room and formal dining room. The cozy kitchen has been tastefully updated with a pop of color, stainless steel appliances and butcher block countertops. Front and back staircases lead upstairs to 4 bedrooms with plenty of closet space and windows. Wave hello to the neighbors from your roomy front porch, and enjoy the newly fenced-in yard with mature flowering shrubs, perennials, lilacs, and fruiting berry bushes from the conveniently screened-in back porch. Reserve the U-Haul, because this sweetie is closing the deal with fresh paint, a new heat pump, furnace, central AC, paved driveway, and upgraded wiring.

The deets: 4 bd, 2 ba, 1722 sf. Asking: $309,000. Days on market: 5. See the full listing here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursday! Keep an eye on your inbox.

💌 On Wednesday, share your words of love with Yvette Molina: Love Notes for Everyone at the Tang Museum.

🏳️‍🌈 On Thursday, catch LBGTQIA+ speed dating and choose your poison from the splendid cocktails at Albany’s hip and friendly Larkin Hi-Fi. Btw, get to the Larkin for Martini Mondays for $10 martinis—you have to try their espresso martini (so good!) 🍸️ 

🖋️ Also Thursday, Paper Moon in Troy is hosting a poetry night featuring Ophelia.

🖼️ We’re giving the Tang some attention this week! On Thursday, check out their Visible Mending Workshop or plan for a visit later this week for Family Saturday: Paper Possibilities—a fun exercise in paper artwork designed for children 5 and older.

🥟 On Friday, Polish Community Center hosts its monthly Polish Food Night to satisfy all of your kielbasa cravings and pierogi pining.

🍫 Friday is also for chocolate lovers as the 10th annual Ballston Spa Chocolate Festival takes over the charming downtown.

🍷 Not to be outdone, the Desmond Hotel hosts the Albany Wine & Chocolate Festival on Saturday.

🍫 Btw, you can now buy your mug (designed by our friends at Upstate of Mind!) for the Troy Hot Chocolate Stroll on Feb. 28. The mug gets you hot chocolate at all participating businesses—for just $5!

🏀 On Friday and Saturday, the MVP Arena Challenge showcases the best talent from six local high schools. On Thursday, it’s the Siena Saints vs the St. Peters Peacocks.

🥣 On Saturday, bring your appetite for the 26th annual Saratoga Chowderfest! Samples are just $2 each.

🎖️ Sunday is your last chance to catch “A Few Good Men” at Cohoes Music Hall.

🧊 Opening for three weekends in February, the 9th annual Fire & Ice Bar at The Mill in Round Lake features a 30-foot ice bar, apparently the longest ice bar in the Capital Region.

💘 V-Day is fast approaching. Here are 9 ways to celebrate with your sweetie—sans the expensive dinner!

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

🦫 CAPPIE’S TRIVIA CORNER

The Egg, the Capital District’s iconic Brutalist performing arts center, will close this July until early 2026 as it undergoes a major renovation to update its lighting system, seating, carpeting, and accessibility. In honor of The Egg’s major makeover, can you correctly answer this question (without Googling)?