February 11, 2026
New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy, New York State Education Commissioner (NYSED) Dr. Betty A. Rosa, and Empire State Development (ESD) President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight today announced that Stacks Espresso, a cornerstone of Albany’s thriving coffee scene, has been selected as the New York State Museum’s new café vendor. The Carousel Café by Stacks is now open inside the Museum, offering visitors, staff, and the public a welcoming, family-friendly space to gather, refuel, and connect before, during, or after a museum visit.
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “I am looking forward to Stacks Espresso Bar joining the Empire State Plaza’s vibrant local food scene. OGS is proud to partner with the State Education Department on creating spaces that invite community connection and offer a place for people to take in our great state’s heritage, like the New York State Museum. After brewing for a while now, I encourage everyone visiting the State Museum to stop by and enjoy this new addition to our eateries at the Plaza.”
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Stacks Espresso Bar brings a vibrant energy that aligns perfectly with the Museum’s mission to inspire and engage. We’re excited to welcome a local partner that enhances our museum experience and supports our commitment to providing a welcoming, high-quality environment for every museumgoer. We’re incredibly grateful to the Office of General Services for their partnership as we turn the page toward this exciting new chapter for the café.”
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to support projects and investments that will further encourage the state's revitalization efforts in Downtown Albany. The New York State Museum is a landmark within the city's urban core, and Stacks locations have quickly become popular with residents and visitors alike. Today's announcement represents the union of two downtown institutions and complements our progress to date, and I'm excited to see a local business grow and thrive within the museum's café."
New York State Museum Director Jennifer Saunders said, “The Museum is at its best when it is a welcoming place for New Yorkers to gather, explore, and connect. We are grateful to the Office of General Services for its partnership in bringing Stacks Espresso Bar to the Museum, and we thank Empire State Development and the Governor’s Office for their ongoing collaboration and support. This new café enhances the Museum as a welcoming place for connection and community.”
CEO of Stacks Espresso, LLC Susan Dunckel, said, “We’re honored to bring 'The Carousel' by Stacks Espresso LLC to the Cultural Education Center and to be part of the Empire State Plaza community. Since 2014, our mission has been to serve great coffee and fresh, approachable food in a space that feels welcoming to everyone. We’re excited to offer visitors and staff a place to take a break, refuel, and enjoy something made with care while they explore everything this incredible building has to offer.”
State Senator Patricia Fahy said, “Today marks an exciting day for the New York State Museum — visitors will now be able to recharge and refuel at The Carousel, the Museum's new cafe and gathering place. Revitalizing and renovating the State Museum has long been a priority of mine, and the addition of The Carousel will help to ensure that it becomes a true destination location. I look forward to grabbing a coffee and bite with my neighbors and seeing how our community and visitors alike take advantage of this new space. Thank you to Stacks for stepping up to serve our community in a new and meaningful way at one of the jewels of the Capital Region."
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh, said, “The New York State Museum is a place where people of all ages come to learn and connect, and the addition of Stacks Espresso Bar will enhance that experience. Supporting a locally owned business while creating a welcoming space for visitors strengthens both the Museum and Downtown Albany. I’m pleased to see this new cafe open and look forward to it becoming a gathering place for the community.”
Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero said, “The revitalization of the New York State Museum exemplifies the state’s commitment to boosting the vibrancy of Downtown Albany and creating a fun, welcoming space for all to enjoy. Stacks is an Albany favorite, and to incorporate that into one of Albany’s most visited attractions is a wonderful way of further honoring that commitment. The investments being made into the Museum and Downtown Albany will continue to bring positive transformation to our community, and I’m excited that Stacks will now be a part of that.”
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “The New York State Museum is one of our most treasured public spaces, and the reopening of The Carousel Café makes it an even more welcoming place to visit. I’m glad to see a local business like Stacks Espresso Bar partnering with the museum to enhance the experience for visitors and families alike.”
Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs said, "Stacks Espresso is part of the fabric of Downtown Albany, and the announcement of this iconic business opening at the New York State Museum is something to celebrate. The Carousel Cafe by Stacks Espresso will be a great space for visitors to gather as they visit our iconic State Museum, and its presence highlights what Albany's small business community has to offer. We are grateful to Commissioner Moy and Commissioner Rosa, as well as Governor Hochul, for their continued and deliberate investment in Albany's downtown presence."
Announced in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State, the Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) initiative is bringing $400 million in new investment to Downtown Albany through ESD’s Downtown Albany Strategy, Department of Transportation’s Reimagining I-787, various public safety initiatives, and OGS’s Reconnect the Empire State Plaza project. The reopening of the museum’s café with Stacks Espresso as its vendor complements the CAP initiative by giving visitors another reason to come to Downtown Albany.
In addition, OGS will serve on the recently announced New York State Museum’s Visioning Task Force alongside NYSED and ESD. The reopening of this café space is part of the first phase of the New York State Museum’s recently announced multi-phased transformation, made possible by Governor Hochul’s historic $150-million investment in the Museum’s future.
Founded in 2014, Stacks Espresso is known for its thoughtfully sourced coffee and vibrant community spirit. The café offers a selection of its most popular beverages alongside kid-friendly options, as well as teas, hot chocolate, fresh pastries, and a la carte food items such as bagels and made-to-order sandwiches — all served in the signature Stacks style: approachable, high-quality, and proudly local.
The Carousel by Stacks will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. To start, the cafe will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The café is located on the second-floor mezzanine of the Cultural Education Center, home of the New York State Museum.
The Cultural Education Center houses the New York State Museum, Library, and Archives, supports approximately 250 building staff, and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors annually. As part of the Empire State Plaza’s building portfolio, Stacks Espresso Bar joins a growing number of Capital Region businesses operating at the Plaza.
A list of all dining options at the Empire State Plaza is available at https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/dining-plaza.
About the New York State Office of General Services
Since 1960, the Office of General Services has provided essential support to keep New York State government operations running smoothly. OGS looks after the buildings where state government happens, delivers innovative solutions and provides shared services for New Yorkers, champions environmental sustainability, preserves world-class art collections, and creates meaningful opportunities for businesses and people.
OGS cares for real property across the state, including the Empire State Plaza, a 98-acre government complex that serves as the workplace for approximately 11,000 New York State employees.
About the New York State Museum
Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State’s rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 1.1 billion years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website and subscribe to our newsletter.
Contact Public Information Office
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