When Caffeine’s first opened its doors in 1990 on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, Joe and Diane Balestri envisioned nothing more than a small cafe. With a pizza oven inherited from their family and an imported Italian espresso machine, they crafted a few simple dishes they loved to cook and eat. Diane’s handwritten menu on a large notecard offered little more than thin-crust pizza, a leek omelet, and, of course, cappuccino.

From day one, the restaurant's theme was community. Friends helped build and design the wooden coffee bar, Joe refurbished old chairs and tables with vintage fabrics and marble tabletops, and neighboring artists hung their art on the walls. They served locally roasted coffee, Balboni’s bread, Bennett Farm’s turkey, Joe’s mom’s baked goods, and local homemade tortellini, among other items. It was a true farm-to-table enterprise, the old-fashioned way.

Collaboration and input from friends, family, and employees enabled Caffeine’s to evolve from a small husband-and-wife-run cafe to a full-service, award-winning restaurant offering catering and a second location in downtown Springfield. The eclectic cuisine, fresh flavors, vibrant staff personalities, rotating art displays, and hip music created a unique gathering place for creatives, foodies, and locals alike.

After 17 years on Memorial Avenue, Joe put up a sign that read “Gone Fishing.” He and Diane now reside in Puerto Rico and are happy to pass the reins to Amir, one of the many chefs who contributed to Caffeine’s legacy.