The Coffee Shop Happenings Thread

ghostinthemachine

Oh, I was referring to the Starbucks on Franklin as the potential Manhattanization of the neighborhood, not Konditori.

whynot_31

Dec 11th:

Am I the only one who is amazed that since this thread started, we have only added coffee shops?

None have yet to die.

newguy88

So Glass Shop is dead to us right?

Tis interesting that not a single one has bite the bullet.

whynot_31

Glass Shop is being annexed by Pete Zaaz, so it is certainly no longer a Coffee shop during the hours one can (will be able to....) get a pizza.

mishaps

My understanding is that it will still be a coffee shop during the day.

joshb

Yeah, I was just there this morning. It will remain a coffee shop during the day. In the eve, it will be seating for the restaurant. Hallway linking the two.

whynot_31

So, so far, one of the coffee shops has dropped to part time status. But all others survive.

jakefr

Here's a map:

https://a.tiles.mapbox.com/v3/jakefrnk.ghj8cjp2/page.html?secure=1#15/40.6719/-73.9549

whynot_31

Thanks Jake!

travelriter

Just my thoughts on a few of these places.* I've been leading writing workshops in the neighborhood coffee shops/cafes for over 10 years, and the owner/staff at Coffee Bites have been incredibly supportive and nice, and have allowed us to use the upstairs loft area every week since the time they have opened for our meetings. They have even stayed open late for us many times. Also, Soraya, the owner, seems active in the community, cares about the neighborhood, and has given to the community in several ways that I know about and is really kind and sweet. This is one of my favorite cafes.* Although I think Nimba has a good shot at succeeding (great staff, love the decor, good food and coffee) on several occasions I have arrived only to find them unexpectedly closed. I really really hope they can stay open, because I love this place. I love the art/photography, the people, the vibe. Maybe they can get a beer/wine license if that will help. *On Wed. when my new writing group showed up for our first meeting at Nimba only to find it closed, we were welcomed at Lazy Ibis and had a fantastic first night. Although it is small and might be difficult for a larger group to meet, I love the romantic, intimate mood here. Nice for first dates, as well as to get work done. The food is amazing, and I like their tea. When I wanted chai tea and they didn't have any, the owner created a homemade one for me using spices and it was incredible. I really like Flannery (who looks like a goddess from a medieval romance novel) as well as both Raphaels. The only reason I would be okay with a Starbucks opening in the area is because, as a grad student, I appreciate that they only charge 50 cents for coffee refills. Sometimes I need to budget instead of spending $10-$20 a day at a cafe and work in libraries instead. However, I would feel crappy sitting in any of "our" neighborhood cafes all day just sipping 50cent refills, while I secretly love doing that at Starbucks, sort of getting back at them. I actually like spending $ at the cafes in our area because in some small way I'm able to contribute/support them since they add so much to our neighborhood. When I moved here I knew very few of my neighbors. Today, I know many more people I've met in these coffee shops/cafes. Thanks guys!

travelriter

Just my thoughts on a few of these places.*

I've been leading writing workshops in the neighborhood coffee shops/cafes for over 10 years, and the owner/staff at Coffee Bites have been incredibly supportive and nice, and has allowed us to use the upstairs loft area every week for our meetings since Coffee Bites opened. They have even stayed open late for us many times. Also, Soraya, the owner, seems active in the community, cares about the neighborhood, and has donated/given to the community in several ways that I know about and is really kind and sweet. This is one of my favorite cafes.*

Although I think Nimba has a good shot at succeeding (great staff, love the decor, good food and coffee) on several occasions I have arrived only to find them unexpectedly closed. I really really hope they can stay open because I love this place. I love the art/photography, the people, the vibe. And there's always great background music. Maybe they can get a beer/wine license if that will help.

*On Wed. when my new writing group showed up for our first meeting at Nimba only to find it closed, we were welcomed at Lazy Ibis and had a fantastic first night. Although it is small and might be difficult for a larger group to meet, I love the romantic, intimate mood here. Nice for first dates, as well as to get work done. The food is amazing, and I like their tea. When I wanted chai tea and they didn't have any, the owner created a homemade one for me using spices and it was incredible. I really like Flannery (who looks like a goddess from a medieval romance novel) as well as both Raphaels.

The only reason I would be okay with a Starbucks opening in the area is because, as a grad student, I appreciate that they only charge 50 cents for coffee refills. Sometimes I need to budget instead of spending $10-$20 a day at a cafe and work in libraries instead. However, I would feel crappy sitting in any of "our" neighborhood cafes all day just sipping 50cent refills, while I secretly love doing that at Starbucks, sort of getting back at them. I actually like spending $ at the cafes in our area because in some small way I'm able to contribute/support them since they add so much to our neighborhood.

When I moved here I knew very few of my neighbors. Today, I know many more people I've met in these coffee shops/cafes. Thanks guys!

whynot_31

Nimba was recently closed as a result of a broken heating system. They are now open again.http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/topic/is-nimba-cafe-closed/#post-608951

jakefr

I popped in to Kaffee JAC on Nostrand and Prospect Pl a couple of weeks ago the Sunday they opened, however I live on that corner and haven't seen the place open since then so it might've been a soft opening. The couple there offered me a free coffee (a little too heavy/strong for me) but they were nice people so I'll give it another try. Pretty cozy inside. They also sell pastries and sandwiches.

Edit: I guess JAC is open for good (maybe outside of the hours I happen to walk by) seeing there are already yelp reviews up.

jakefr

  

whynot_31

ah, the one opening in the former ice cream place, Bk Scoops

whynot_31

In the event that Starbucks is able to open in the new EP-Franklin bldg (as opposed to the Climax storefront ), Pulp and Bean will morph into something else, rather than try to compete.

We should know within a few weeks.

goldemi1

Tony had told me that he was already considering getting rid of P&B.  It's more work than money. 

greg

What's going on with Kaffee JAC? I pass it almost daily and have yet to see it opened.

whynot_31

It has had sporadic (at best) hours since it first opened.

whynot_31

Kaffee JAC is about to have competition in the form of Tinto:

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/43826/another-coffee-shop-for-nostrand-tinto-715-nostrand-near-sterling#Item_1

whynot_31

Another coffee shop has joined the fray at Dean and Grand Avenue:  Safra

http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/39143/something-food-related-is-coming-to-grand-and-dean-#Item_3

jakefr

Word on the street, from an employee at a local business, is JAC probably closed since they haven't really been open in months. I think they were open a week or two in January but that's it. I live on the corner and never seen it open except for their first day. I doubt lack of business was their reason for closing so quickly, probably had some other issues.

whynot_31

Thanks.   So noted:   http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/39261/kaffee-jac-nostrand-and-prospect-place/p1

nycgeoff

Glass Shop was locked when I walked by it at noon yesterday, didn't seem like it was opening any time soon.

whynot_31

Glass shop is merging with Pete Zaaz. Not sure how much of a coffee place it will remain.

goldemi1

So far it still feels separate during the day

homeowner

Can we get an updated list from the original with closings and new entrants? I can't keep track...

goldemi1

SBUX will be the next addition, and I predict Nouvelle Vague the next closing. It's too bad, I think the owner has fun taste, and in the right space with the right partner might have made a better go of it.   

jakefr

It's not a list, but I updated the map: http://workdaytools.com/coffeemap/

whynot_31

Hold on, I'll add my two cents....