A local group of coffee shops that helped bring modern coffee culture to Central New York is celebrating its 30th anniversary Friday.

The event will be marked at the Freedom of Espresso at 115 Solar St. in Syracuse. At 8 a.m., Mayor Ben Walsh will declare Friday, Dec, 5 as “Freedom of Espresso Day.”

The business started in 1995 when founders Anna Dobbs, John Dobbs and Dave Ruston opened a location on Pearl Street near Columbus Bakery. It grew over the years with other locations in the city and the suburbs, some of which have since closed.

The current lineup of locations includes the Solar Street shop; 403 1st St. in Liverpool; 128 W. Genesee St. (Route 5) in Fayetteville; and 54 W Genesee St. (Route 5) in Camillus.

Freedom of Espresso offers its own locally roasted coffee, including

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