The Bastow Family - (l. to r.) Jack, Taylor, Roberta and Jarrett

Roberta and Jack Bastow are the proud owners of Perfect Blend Espresso Bar and Café. They live in the Albany, NY suburb of Glenmont, about 2 miles from their shop, in Delmar.

Roberta and Jack both have long enjoyed fine coffee. They discovered great coffee while living in San Francisco for a short time, and upon returning to the east coast found a steady supply from a well known roaster in New York City. When they moved to the Capital District in 1986, they had the coffee shipped to their home, so they could continue to enjoy. Over the next 15 years, they branched out to other roasters, trying both the larger name brands as well as some of the more regional providers, always searching for the perfect blend.

As a Senior Vice President at Fleet Bank, Roberta enjoyed a satisfying 21 year career in financial services, regularly dealing with small and large regional business owners, and affluent individuals in need of wealth management or financing. Many days traveling across New England, she could be seen at coffee houses, working offsite, interviewing prospective employees, and toting bags of coffee. Still, for a long time, Roberta thought of running her own business.

Facing a tough economic climate in financial services, she seized the opportunity to do her own thing. As a long time coffee lover, it didn’t take long to figure out what type of business she would enjoy. Roberta and Jack started brewing the idea for a coffeehouse in the summer of 2002. It was time to find the perfect blend of coffee, and share it with their community. And they did.  Perfect Blend Espresso Bar and Café was born!

They didn’t have to look far for the location of their new shop. They went searching in the community in which they have enjoyed living and shopping, and where their 2 children, Jarrett and Taylor go to school.

They found their new home at the historic center of town, known to locals as the “Four Corners”. The shop is located at a busy intersection, with lots of other shops, and small businesses, generating a great deal of activity.

The deal was sealed when the plans for a 30 car parking lot in the back of the shop, was introduced. The general work at the Four Corners allows better access to the parking lot, making the shop convenient for commuters as well as those looking to relax in the shop for a few hours.

Roberta applies the "Five C's" approach to the business, meshing some of her past life in commercial and private banking with her current life in the specialty coffee business.  When a customer walks into Perfect Blend, they will experience:

"Great Coffee in a Casual and relaxed Contemporary atmosphere with Courteous and friendly Client service".  We know our customers and their individual preferences and make suggestions based on that knowledge. The entire staff has been trained to do whatever it takes to make our customers feel delighted with their drink, service and the entire Perfect Blend experience.

Jack is a podiatrist in practice for over 15 years in the Capital District, with locations in Albany and the outlying community of Ravena. He can frequently be seen in the shop either standing in line, waiting for his Mocha Bianca, or with a tool belt on lending a helping hand. He is also an unpaid business consultant during evenings with Roberta.