From bubble tea to bakery: Binghamton alum’s path from campus startup to downtown café owner

Leighton Blackwood ’21, founder of the 2nd Heaven bubble tea shop in Binghamton University’s MarketPlace, is taking the next step in his entrepreneurial journey with the acquisition and grand reopening of Chroma Café & Bakery in downtown Binghamton.

Known for bringing bubble tea to campus, Blackwood’s latest venture is all about expanding his horizons — and his menu. Chroma represents a new chapter where he can experiment with flavors, connect with the community year-round and bring his signature style to the downtown scene. With support from the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator and his Binghamton University roots, Blackwood is transforming Chroma into a space where locals, students and everyone in between can enjoy his evolving vision.

“We want people to come in and feel like they’re part of something,” said Blackwood.

Blackwood’s entrepreneurial spark began early, with a dream of owning a business. Arriving at Binghamton University, he noticed a gap: bubble tea — a staple for many students — was missing from campus. Inspired by other student ventures, he pursued the idea of opening 2nd Heaven. Though his pitch was initially rejected, he didn’t give up, instead setting up at the Broome County Regional Farmers Market to hone his business skills. His persistence eventually paid off, leading to the launch of 2nd Heaven shortly after graduation.

From vision to execution

After three years of operating 2nd Heaven seasonally on campus, Blackwood was ready to expand and bring his ambitions downtown. He envisioned a café where he could serve the community daily, uniting students and locals while adding his personal touch to the local scene. His path to Chroma began during a meeting with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Koffman Incubator, where an advisor mentioned that Chroma was for sale and encouraged him to consider expanding beyond campus. Intrigued, he connected with Chroma’s owner, and what began as casual conversations evolved into a year-long process of negotiations, planning and paperwork.

“It took a while to get everything hammered out—just talking back and forth, dealing with lawyers and working out the details,” said Blackwood.

The process was worth it; Chroma’s downtown location provided the ideal space for him to build a community-centered business that he could grow.

Running 2nd Heaven on campus was invaluable preparation for operating Chroma. Through 2nd Heaven, he learned essential skills in inventory management, customer service and daily operations. “2nd Heaven was a stepping stone,” he said.

However, opening Chroma downtown brought new challenges. Unlike the campus setting, which has a steady student audience, Chroma requires a broader approach to attract a diverse customer base.

“On campus, everyone’s there — you have a captive audience. Downtown, it’s a different game. We’re figuring out how to attract people and offer them something they love,” said Blackwood.

He envisions Chroma as a place where tradition meets innovation, blending beloved elements of the original café with new additions like bubble tea and extended hours to appeal to both students and locals. He plans to offer unique menu items, seasonal treats and community-centered events that reinforce Chroma’s role as a vibrant gathering place.

Guidance from the Koffman Incubator

Blackwood credits much of his success to the mentorship and support he received from both the Koffman Incubator and Binghamton University. At the Koffman, Director of Business Incubation Programming Eric Krohn provided guidance that shaped Blackwood’s approach to business.

At the Koffman, we aim to empower innovators and transform their ideas into thriving ventures that connect and contribute to the community,” said Krohn. “Leighton’s story truly highlights the impact of mentorship and community support, showing how determination and the right resources can turn a simple idea into a successful business.”

Blackwood’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: “Just do it.” He encourages others to start small, take that first step and embrace the journey, no matter how uncertain it may seem.

“Starting a business is a lot,” said Blackdood, “but you’re never going to get there if you don’t chip away at that first step.”