Showing posts with label Cornerstone Cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cornerstone Cafe. Show all posts

Monday, December 27, 2021

Cornerstone Cafe postscript

Last week, the Cornerstone Cafe on the NE corner of Avenue B and Second Street announced its closure after 10-plus years in business

In an Instagram post, the Cornerstone cited the ongoing pandemic and the city's related mandates and restrictions for the closure.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy later ran into owner Rocco Opramolla. Aside from the reasons stated above, he said that the landlord raised his rent this year. He was previously paying $4,000 a month, which allowed him to offer specials such as the $4 breakfast. 

Rocco said that he just couldn't pay the new rent, which he didn't disclose, with all the NYC COVID-19 restrictions. Before owning his own restaurant, Rocco spent nearly 25 years working as a meat cutter, a profession he may revisit. He's nearing 60 and not too far from retirement age, and he plans to visit his kids in San Diego and then take "a little vacation" and relax after 10-plus years of running the restaurant.

He'll decide what to do when he gets back early next year. Rocco says he might open a new place if things are different going forward, but he couldn't do it during COVID time.

He is very thankful for the neighborhood support. Stacie asked if there was anything that could be done to assist him, and he said no; his mind was made up. He seems at peace with his decision.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Cornerstone Cafe calls it quits

The East Village has lost a solid breakfast spot. 

Yesterday, the owners of Cornerstone Cafe on the NE corner of Avenue B and Second Street announced its closure after 10-plus years in business. 

In an Instagram post, the Cornerstone cited the ongoing pandemic and the city's related mandates and restrictions for the closure...
The restaurant opened in the early summer of 2011

Cornerstone Cafe made headlines in August 2017 after a member of the waitstaff used an Asian slur about a customer on a printed receipt. Management fired the employee and issued an apology.

H/T Salim!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Cornerstone Cafe expected to reopen today



Per the sign on the gate, Cornerstone Cafe will reopen today after a closure in recent days for renovations here on Avenue B and East Second Street.

The renovations coincide with a visit by the DOH last Thursday. Inspectors issued 45 violations points, including for the presence of various flies — enough for a temporary closure. (You can access DOH records here.)