Looks Like We Didn't Make It

A sign erected a few days ago has ended the suspense surrounding the mystery business at 207th and Broadway. As some (but not all) inquisitors were told by the on-site work crew, it will be a coffee shop, but not a Starbucks. Word is Cafe Expresso (as in "express"?) is a small locally owned chain, with locations in Brooklyn and Tuckahoe.

Whether this is good or bad news depends on one's perspective. While some of my neighbors were excited by the prospect of Inwood having 'Made it' - i.e. deemed worthy of a Starbucks - others dreaded what they saw as the inevitable Duane Reade-ification to follow, along with rising rents and the homogenization of what is still a diverse populace. Still others predicted Starbucks would get a cool reception from the Dominican community, what with its Lite FM format and all.

Regardless, for better or worse the question is moot, and Inwood remains below the radar. For now.

Comments

[Harlan]

Wasn't there a coffee shop on Broadway a couple of blocks South of Dyckman for a while a few years back? I no longer live in Inwood, but was just up there yesterday to a visit, and I wanted to stop by, but it was gone...

[Zaida]

congrats on getting linked from Curbed.com. looks like Inwood is on their radar now...
fantastic! im still looking for this weeks Manhattan Times that has your Upper Manhattan Experience article. I can't find it anywhere!

[brad]

Thanks Zaida. FYI, I'm planning to post the MT article in its entirety later this week.

Harlan, the other coffee shop probably would have been before my time here. Maybe another reader knows of it.