MIDDLEBURGH - After having a cafe in Schoharie for many years and then running a catering business in Delanson, Lexi Ryder knew she wanted to have a storefront again.
She found that opportunity on Main Street in Middleburgh.
"I really love having a storefront and having my people," Ms. Ryder said from the dining room of her new storefront, The Country Cafe at 314 Main Street. "I wanted to give Middleburgh a try.
She started the cafe in Schoharie in 2010, but left to run the catering business in Delanson. Now, with her teenage daughters, Sydney and Georgia, a little older, and at the age to help, she opened her newest cafe in Middleburgh in December 2025.
Though she has only been in Middleburgh for four months, she has felt very welcomed.
"Middleburgh has been very supportive," said Ms. Ryder, who lives in Gallupville. She noted that Mayor Tim Knight came into the cafe shortly after she opened. Other local business owners have also been supportive.
Currently, The Country Cafe is open on Wednesday and Fridays from 11am to 7pm for lunch and dinner.
She is also continuing her catering with a main focus on hosting parties and events. There will also be "lots of other pop-up opportunities" including breakfast once a month. There will be different buffets for fun events" through the spring, summer, and fall. She will also offer a "grab-and-go" cooler in the shop with pies, soups, and ready to cook trays.
Ms. Ryder is also looking forward to Fourth Fridays in Middleburgh which begin next month.
Though the location is different, most of the "go to" dishes at The Country Cafe remain the same, Ms. Ryder said.
"We're known for our homemade corned beef hash, desserts, (a lot of pies), and mac and cheese," she added.
In fact, after posing for a picture, a female passerby said how great the mac and cheese was at The Country Cafe in Schoharie when the woman worked at the county building.
A lot of people "have come back and found me," Ms. Ryder said, "but a lot of new people have discovered us."
"It really did feel like starting over again."
The Main Street location has offered a lot of foot traffic.
"There's a lot of new people everyday and a lot of people from downstate."
She is also offering local delivery for dinners and catering delivery "all over the place."
The cafe is also doing off-site events at breweries and Middleburgh Winery.
Ms. Ryder has also continued the "Adopt a Family" program she started in Schoharie. The program benefits assist up to foster and local school children with gifts for Christmas.
"People are very generous when they know how to help," Ms. Ryder said. The program helped 26 kids in 2025.
Ms. Ryder said the best way to follow the specials is to get on her Facebook page and those on the VIP List will have specials sent to them.
Village officials joined Lexi Ryder and family at a ribbon cutting at The Country Cafe Saturday. From left are: Mayor Tim Knight, Sydney, Georgia, Matt, Ms. Ryder, Trustees Bob Tinker, and Sheryl Adams.
