A new Corning restaurant, The Mug Shotz, has opened at 37 E. Pulteney St. offering the city an early-morning and late-night spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, Door Dash and call ahead pickup options.
Tracy Sparks, owner of The Mug Shotz, said the restaurant, which had a soft opening on July 11, is a place where customers can pick up items like pizza slices, bake trays for home, homemade pasta with vodka sauce for pickup, along with breakfast sandwiches, bubble waffles, panini sandwiches, smoothies, gelato, and a wide range of donuts daily.
“We will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.,” Sparks said. “On Sunday we will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and we’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays.”
Sparks said The Mug Shotz serves breakfast from 6-11 a.m., lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and then it’s back to the breakfast menu from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
“Talking with local Door Dash drivers, they say people working late shifts or others just looking for a place to eat late at night are looking for a place other than fast food restaurants,” Sparks said. “We hope to be just that. A great place where everyone deserves a second shot.”
Sparks said The Mug Shotz, a non-alcoholic restaurant, is a little bit “edgier” location with plans to offer murder mysteries and BINGO nights. Every table in the shop will have riddles, word searches, chess, checkers, and special events for groups to merge, making it just a great place to hang out.
“We’re just looking to bring a very different feel than other places in a relaxed atmosphere,” said Jessica Troccia, an employee at The Mug Shotz. “Everything is all smiles and rainbows and beautiful when people just walk in the door.”
As for the unique name, Sparks said The Mug Shotz will also offer customers a chance to have a mug shot taken at the restaurant.
“We’re going to give out lanyards of the Mug Shotz picture, which is going to be part of a customer rewards program,” Troccia said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for everybody in the Corning area to kind of think outside the box and to give people who haven’t really had the best road in life, but are wonderful humans who deserve a second chance.
“It’s a safe alcohol and drug free environment for people to come and express themselves, where people can grow. I am honored to be a part of it and just hope the Corning area is ready, because we are.”
Sparks added that The Mug Shotz is a “great environment” where people can feel relaxed.
Sparks said the East Pulteney restaurant will hold a formal grand opening sometime in late July.
This article originally appeared on The Leader: The Mug Shotz, new Corning restaurant, offers late-night and early-morning dining options
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Corning Leader / The Leader
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