Here on the southeast corner at 13th Street…
… there are CB-branded door handles and an ATM inside too…
No word on an opening date, but it would appear to be close to being ready.
This location of the cafe from the company based in Seoul, South Korea, will also serve beer and wine.
Previously on EV Grieve:
2 Caffe Bene locations coming to the East Village (45 comments)
Reader report: Rent hike washes away longtime Avenue A laundromat
Work starts on the 2 Caffe Bene spaces in the East Village
Brewing Soon signage arrives for Caffe Bene on Avenue A
24 comments:
Why do they have to have beer and wine? Can a cafe just stay a cafe???
Wish the menu pic was a little clearer. Still, I see they are offering "Ave A signature breakfast". See? They are fitting in already.
I don't love chains, but I am so relieved it isn't another bar in the neighborhood. We are saturated with them up this way.
Beer store!
I have so happy another local small business is opening.
Anonymous said...
Why do they have to have beer and wine? Can a cafe just stay a cafe???
You try paying the rent just serving coffee and tea! Seriously, food businesses almost always have to offer at least beer and wine; when Dunkin' Donuts reopens, I won't be surprised if they're selling growlers of Dunkin' Beer.
My guess is beer and wine isn't going to be a big seller here. When I get a drink, I like to be in a more relaxing, dimly lit atmosphere. I walked by this place tonight, and the lighting is intense. It's like someone is shining a spotlight on the place.
@ Scuba Diver
Not really. The mark up on coffee and tea is unreal. Further, your payroll is low because you aren't prepping real food. Your having it sent in. No need for alcohol at all.
@anon 6:37 All the corp places use that intense 'interegation style' lighting. I think they all read some dopey study that says it helps keep employee theft low
Sour grapes.
I dislike dim lighting, as I like to read at cafes.
Their two-floor store at 49th and Broadway has a library.
Nothing on anarchy though.
Bill
The Inverse Law of Lighting Intensity vs. Cognitive Power: The dimmer the lighting of a retail establishment, the brighter the customers who are inside, and vice versa.
We have come to a sad point in our neighborhood when the choices are a corporate chain business or a sports bar blasting noise and later drunks onto our sidewalks. Both affirm that no rent is too high to pay to be located here and forever perhaps crush the possibility of a startup business on our blocks again.
I am curious to who patronizes Bene, I guess is the most recent arrived NYU students and other migrants from the burbs. It is for me the lesser evil compared to Starbucks and its cup holding drones which are everywhere.
Not a fan of Starbucks, but I'll take Starbucks over a Starbucks knockoff wannabe, any day.
I hope they have some hilarious Korean pastries, so I don't have to go up to 32nd St when I need cheering up. My favorite is the doughnut stuffed with potato salad.
I don't recommend buying any of these, of course. Just looking is enough.
Gross, mall-looking bullshit
@Giovanni - I think Abercrombie & Fitch and David Barton Gym probably prove this one wrong.
I can't wait to go there get some overpriced sugar bloated variety of coffee, put in my ear plugs listen to some tunes and follow social media with by back to real people. I'm so 2010's!
In Europe, it's completely normal for cafés to serve alcohol. In Italy and Spain, there is a tradition of starting your day with an espresso that has a shot of booze in it. Get into it.
I've been to one in midtown: it's not that great. I hope people continue to go to the neighborhood spots. They're coffee is much better.
FashionByHe,
Your obsession with the now-defunct 7-11 group is strange at best. Please stick with humiliating women and championing cheap fashions on your blog. You must be so proud.
FRANCHISE OWNER: As much as I don't like chain businesses coming to the neighborhood, I have to give some support to this one. He presented at the CB 3 meeting: franchisee grew up in the EV, son of bodega owners (his aunt and uncle also own neighborhood bodegas), worked in those since a tot,knows the residents. He's setting out on his own, there are advantages to owning a franchise for an untested entrepreneur.
Bars have become untenable for conversation and relaxation in this neighborhood. I wouldn't mind a quiet glass of wine while I read a book or converse with a friend. If he can offer that, I'll support him.
His is the only Caffe Bene to be serving wine, a special arrangement with the franchiser. Starbucks is adding wine in other cities, he is just a bit ahead of the curve for NY.
I was skeptical about this place but I went out there yesterday to check it out and liked the vibe. The employees were welcoming and happy to see people coming in. The place is relaxed and the prices were fine, a bit cheaper than some of the cafes in the area. It also struck me how diverse the employees were. I felt comfortable here and liked I fit in as opposed to how I feel in some of the hipster coffee places in the neighborhood.
The owner is a great guy. Grew up in the EV and a local supporter.
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