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August 14, 2008

Bed-Stuy Gets a New Cafe

tcupcafe.jpg
A reader sent us this photo of T-Cup, the new café opening at 627 Throop Avenue, at Decatur Street, in Bed-Stuy. The space had once been a tool rental business, but maybe the neighborhood needs more cupcakes than screwdrivers right now? A quick Googling shows they plan to open bright and early— 6:30AM —and will offer Frappuccinos, Belgian waffles and paninis. Doors are scheduled to open mid-August.




Posted by lisa at 9:02 AM | Comments (34)
Categories: Bedford Stuyvesant, Streetlevel

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I'm so happy they're opening. I pass this place on my way every morning to the dreaded C train stop. They should do well, since there is a lot of foot traffic on that street during the weekday. So now both Throop & Tompkins will have coffee shops!!

Posted by: 7andfive at August 14, 2008 9:17 AM

7andfive....i did some "market research" on this issue as it has to do with the "breakfast hour" and found that not a lot of people headed to the train for Manhattan were willing to pick up coffee or any to-go food. You don't see a lot of people on the train with either as well. I suspect most people, like myself, buy it once they get close to their office.

That said, Bread Stuy, closer to where I am, does good business at all other hours of the day.

We are in the process of opening a market/cafe on Lewis Ave but don't think we have to be open in the morning for the breakfast rush. We would however stay open late for dinner takeout; and, it seems that Peaches has a busy takout business until closing.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2008 9:23 AM

i can never remember the name of the place further up on Tompkins

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2008 9:27 AM

Dave,
Good point. But this place is literally just a few feet from the subway. I wouldn't buy coffee from there in the morning- since I wouldn't want to risk spillage on the subway. But I would stop by for a morning pastry.
And there are always those early risers (god bless them). You know the ones that wake up with enough time to actually sit down and enjoy breakfast in a coffee shop before heading to work.

Posted by: 7andfive at August 14, 2008 9:29 AM

Yes, 7andfive...i envy them. I get up at around 6:30 but the type of personality that I am I'm out the door before 7:00 and into manhattan. Can't seem to ever do that early morning relaxing sit-down with the paper thing. Maybe if I move to suburbia instead!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2008 9:32 AM

We will be regular and happy patrons to Teacup if they can serve up a decent slow-drip iced coffee! Dave are you talking about Common Grounds? Is your market underway already? What's the ETA? Very much looking forward to it...

Posted by: housebywe at August 14, 2008 9:43 AM

Dave. You make an interesting point. However, I think the reason you don't se many people ont he train with coffe and/or breakfast treats is because there haven't been places to actually buy these things. If the offerings are good and the price point is right, their morning business should be very good. I remember when I lived on Clinton Avenue between Myrtle and Willoughby when Connecticut Muffin and Bergen Bagel opened. Both had (and still have) healthy lines in the mornings as people are eager to get their fix to gear up for the train ride.

I'm certainly looking forward T-Cup. It will be a quick walk around the corner to kick off my morning commute.

Posted by: cmontgom at August 14, 2008 9:44 AM

Went by last night and peeked through the newspaper on the windows. Currently looks like a Chinese take-out spot, not a cafe. Will have to undergo significant renovation/change that will take time to complete. Anyone know the ETA on date of opening?

Posted by: MacD at August 14, 2008 10:13 AM

MacD...you keep peeping through windows and you're going to be on that list you were talking about yesterday!!!! :)

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2008 10:25 AM

I wish them well. Wonder if t-cup is connected to Tiny Cup on Nostrand Ave and Clifton Pl?Well I see the mickey d's in the background and they do well with breakfast so T Cup is going to have to come with something really good to capture that breakfast crowd especially price wise in these current times.

Posted by: iluvclintonhill at August 14, 2008 10:37 AM

You couldn't be more right DIBS! I am the one on the street looking at garden-level and parlor floors as I walk along at dusk and people have their curtains open and lights on. I cannot help it, like a moth to a flame I am drawn to mouldings,decorative ceilings, use of lighting, and seeing how other people work with their plentiful details. It's an issue, I know.

Posted by: MacD at August 14, 2008 10:38 AM

The reason you don't find people on the train with coffee anymore, is that starting about 2 years ago, it became a ticketed offense on the subway, no?

I used to see it all the time. Now...not so much.

I know someone who in fact did receive a ticket for having a coffee on a subway car.

Posted by: 11217 at August 14, 2008 10:43 AM

Looks like Fcup

Posted by: LilBitOfLuck at August 14, 2008 10:48 AM

If I got a ticket on the subway for that I'd frame it.

Not sure that the McDonalds breakfast crowd is really looking for what T Cup is going to be offering. Will they have a drive through?? I know about every 4-6 weeks I get the DTs and have to have a sausage biscuit!!!

Does look like Fcup!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2008 10:52 AM

This was such great news when I heard it... I live just steps away from this place and let me tell you I have been waiting for this since I heard rumors of this in the winter. Also there is a new after hours lounge around the corner for this place called Reggae Pot on Fulton street also opening later this month. It is so good to see new businesses in this area...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at August 14, 2008 11:08 AM

MacD, I share your illness, and have suffered from it for years. My only regret is that people in our neighborhoods have never been much for curtainless, exposed living, unlike tonier nabes, which really cuts down on the views. I content myself with exterior detail. Fortunately, there is certainly plenty in both neighborhoods, and the occasional view into a building is icing on the cake.

Yeah! More cafes and restaurants in Bed Stuy. It's time for Crown Heights to get moving, too!!!! Would that I had the funds.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 14, 2008 11:12 AM

What this area needs is a good old fashioned diner... A cheap place like Toms in Prospect Heights. I wish I knew the restaurant business I would open one up in a heartbeat. The prefect location for me would be Cherry's hair salon where Fulton Tompkins and Decatur meet. Such a great location for food.

Posted by: Amzi Hill at August 14, 2008 11:15 AM

Amzi...there used to be a number of them...Palm on Lewis, MacDonald on Macon & Stuyvesant (was more upscale)...back in the day...and long before I was here.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2008 11:17 AM

This is great news, especially the part about the early hours. I hope they get up and running soon. AmziHill, I agree that a Tom's-style diner is EXACTLY what we need next.

Posted by: StuyMom at August 14, 2008 11:28 AM

Daveinbedstuy, if you offer delivery service at your new place I'll be your best customer.

Posted by: StuyMom at August 14, 2008 11:31 AM

Once I re-did and painted my parlor I now keep my shutters open all night... Now my neighbors are slowly starting to open up there windows also.

Posted by: Amzi Hill at August 14, 2008 11:32 AM

I agree, Amzi. Perfect. That's also close enough for me to be a regular. Your lips to God's ears.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 14, 2008 11:48 AM

Unfortunately not StuyMom...at least not initially. Too much of an insurance risk and adds an extra element into the business that is a great source for screwing things up initially and disappointing the customeers and losing the business and getting bad publicity in all these stupid blogs ...LOL

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2008 11:59 AM

Montrose Morris if Bedford Ave and Nostrand Ave ever got there acts together I could see Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights having more places like this pop up... But we really need to clean up what we have now.. Some of those junk stores really have to GO!

Posted by: Amzi Hill at August 14, 2008 12:42 PM

i have been saying this since Akwaaba resturant shut down that we need a diner! like a Mike's or Tom's! i am happy that peaches is doing well but we lack this basic diner type resturant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. some times you just want the basics not bbq, or anything fancy.

Posted by: bkny at August 14, 2008 1:09 PM

I heard there's some grant money coming from somewhere to refurbish storefronts on Malcolm X. Anybody know anything about it??

That would raise real estate values for the places between Malcolm X and Patchen for sure.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 14, 2008 1:11 PM

Someone please open something in South stuy! Bush Baby does great business (its ALWAYS busy) and would benefit with additional commerce. The only place to pick up a quick sandwich is subway (which is also always packed) and I for one would like the option to get non-radio active veggies. A dinner joint (i am sorry-I can only do Applebees once a decade) would also be greatly appreciated---anything but halal hot tables would be welcome.

Posted by: HomeSweetstuy at August 14, 2008 1:39 PM

i'm with you homesweetstuy - i went to applebees once with the kids and i'm good! i just want burger and fries and a milk shake on a sunday afternoon. is that too much to ask? or a tuna melt, bacon egg & cheese...there was a rumor that shane cafe (of washington ave.) was going to open in the akwaaba spot before petit bassam - i was very excited. don't know what ever happened to that deal. maybe the owner got scared, since that corner can't seem to keep a place for more than a year.

Posted by: bkny at August 14, 2008 1:48 PM

I live next to the Tiny Cup and I have to say that commuters still like a nice coffee and bagel in the morning (though i must admit that with Dunkin' Doughnuts on the corner, business must get pretty slow at times). I'm happy to see a new place in the hood though...

Posted by: BSandCHBorderBaby at August 14, 2008 1:48 PM

OK Dave, I'll just keep nagging you on a quarterly basis about when you're going to start delivering. (Moms are good at that.)
Speaking of Common Grounds on Tompkins, it's a great little spot but I wish they didn't always have the TV on. Televisions belong in bars, not coffee shops IMO.

Posted by: StuyMom at August 14, 2008 1:57 PM

I have to agree with you StuyMom... They really should just play music in Common Grounds...

Posted by: Amzi Hill at August 14, 2008 2:13 PM

Dave:

I thought the church on Stuyvesant and Jefferson - name is escaping me - is sponsoring the "business improvement district" on Malcolm X. Ask you former neighbor, Barbara, about it. She moved her business over to Malcolm X and seems to know about it.

What is the name of that church?!

Posted by: 11233 at August 14, 2008 6:04 PM

Bridge Street AME.

Posted by: 11233 at August 14, 2008 6:07 PM

Amzi, I hear you. But, it's money, big money, for rents on those blocks, especially Nostrand. And, I think people are all waiting for the first one to open, waiting for someone else to take all of the risks, before they go for it themselves. Whoever does, if they do it right, will be enormously successful. The need for a classic, casual eating diner that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, is the first on the wishlists of Crown Heightsters, old and new. Nothing fancy, just good old comfort diner food in an inviting setting.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at August 14, 2008 6:34 PM

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