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Author Topic: Caffe Bene  (Read 18228 times)

Offline toddg

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Caffe Bene
« on: June 18, 2014, 06:57:59 PM »
Caffe Bene, a rapidly expanding Korean coffee chain, is setting its sights on Queens.   No word yet on whether they'll be opening in Jackson Heights.

Times Ledger
Korean coffeehouse chain opens two boro franchises
By Bill Parry
June 16, 2014

One of the fastest growing coffeehouse chains in the world is targeting Queens as a big part of its global expansion.

South Korea-based Caffebene opened a franchise in Sunnyside last month after opening a store in Flushing last year. The company will open a third Queens franchise, in Astoria this summer, with an additional 10 locations slated for the borough next year.

“Queens is just loaded with neighborhoods full of millennials these days,” Caffebene Senior Director of sales John Barry said. “Millenials love their coffee, so we’re going where they are.”

[Follow link for complete article]
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Offline yt28

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2015, 10:30:56 AM »
Not sure if there's an update on this somewhere else, but Caffe Bene is slated to open at the old Prima Donna space the first week of October. I walked past yesterday and they are hiring!

http://jacksonheightspost.com/caffe-bene-to-open-on-37th-avenue-this-fall/
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Offline petster

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Cafe Bene
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2015, 12:10:20 PM »
Spoke to the owner of Cafe Bene. Seems like a really nice guy. He also seemed to be aware that he was opening in a Landmarked district  (which made me happy). He continued to tell me that they would be opening in about a month.  He said he is taking the awning down to reveal the brick. I told him that people were excited for it to open which made him real happy.
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Offline lalochezia

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Re: Cafe Bene
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2015, 01:05:25 PM »
Caffebene is an international chain franchise business with, apparently, 1600 locations worldwide.

http://www.caffebeneusa.com/about/about-us/

From their agreement, after you sign over all the details  "Caffebene Development Team will develop the site and secure the lease. Ultimately, however, you much satisfy yourself as to the suitability of the premises."

It would be reasonable to infer that this kind of arrangement enables quick business openings; the franchisee is on the hook for the costs and risk of the development and store running, but the large corporation has deep pockets and connections/legal expertise to expedite the speed of store opening.

Once businesses reach a certain size, they have advantages of scale and power that small businesses find very difficult to compete with.

Another reason why that, if NYC is to remain unique and interesting, rather than just a giant chain store mall, there needs to be active support for all parts of the lifecycle of small business.
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Offline Songodd

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Re: Cafe Bene
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2015, 05:53:15 PM »
So don't patronize their store, more room for me.  ;)
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Offline petster

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Re: Cafe Bene
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2015, 05:57:49 PM »
I neglected to mention that it was a local guy very familiar with Jackson Heights, currently living in Woodside and for that reason I sincerely wish him luck....as I do with all the businesses that demonstrate a respectful  attitude  to the customers and neighborhood in which they provide a service.
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Offline Shelby2

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Re: Cafe Bene
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2015, 07:51:26 PM »
Quote from: petster on October 11, 2015, 12:10:20 PM
Spoke to the owner of Cafe Bene. Seems like a really nice guy. He also seemed to be aware that he was opening in a Landmarked district  (which made me happy). He continued to tell me that they would be opening in about a month.  He said he is taking the awning down to reveal the brick. I told him that people were excited for it to open which made him real happy.

I'm looking forward to the opening.  :)
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Offline pipman

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Re: Cafe Bene
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2015, 07:31:06 PM »
I am also looking forward to Caffe Bene opening. I like to patronize local places as well, but unfortunately many that open in Jackson Heights are a little off the mark.  The food may be good, but often service and ambience is lacking. I like the Caffe Bene in Sunnyside and it is much more pleasant to spend some time than Starbucks.  It will be a great additional to 37th Avenue.
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Offline NYC Native

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2015, 11:02:54 PM »
There is absolutely nothing wrong with chains like these.  They tend to have a proven formula that appeal to so many and don't forget, people like the consistency that most times the mom & pop shops aren't able to offer.  True, I am not a "chain" patron when it comes to most eateries (maybe a Ruth Chris when I'm out of state), but I see the appeal that these "designed for the masses" bring to an area.  Beside, I don't see Starbucks or DD offering Misugaru.   
I'll take Cannelle Patisserie over most of these coffee houses anyway.  All they need is a theme and an easy name to remember or pronounce...    I would love to see them opening more locations - I have a few places in mind and access to some of the landlords.
(Hey Jean Claude and Samba, )   


I WISH THEM LUCK!!!
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Offline Lilybell

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2015, 12:02:59 PM »
Yes, it's a chain.  But it's franchised, and it looks like the new owner is local, so in my mind I am supporting a local business by going there. 
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Offline Jeffsayyes

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #10 on: October 16, 2015, 04:14:49 PM »
If you want Jackson Heights looking like Anytown, USA then franchises like this are a good thing. Most profit probably goes to the local owner but for aesthetic's sake, for creativity's sake, for character's sake, for culture's sake, I would gladly tolerate a mismade cup of coffee for a purely local business. Chains like this siphon customers of the neighborhood so they won't even take a chance at a local place. Everytime I walk past starbucks I shake my head - it's nothing to be proud of.
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Online dssjh

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #11 on: October 16, 2015, 06:03:34 PM »
could not agree more, Jeff. I've never set foot in the starbucks on 37th. in fact, i've been to starbucks three times in my entire life, once to use a restroom on the upper west side and twice at jersey turnpike rest stops. i don't like the aesthetic or the product, the same reason i don't patronize similar chains like burger king or mcdonald's (with one or two give-ins per year for the fries at the latter). it is a slippery slope, and i'd just as soon not slide down it.
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Offline CaptainFlannel

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #12 on: October 17, 2015, 01:14:34 PM »
You know, I see the appeal of chains that are designed for the masses too, if you're in Times Square. It's comforting when you're a tourist in a destination like that and have no idea where to eat to spot an Appleby's and get food in your system and know what to expect. But when you're looking at a residential area like Jackson Heights, what exactly is the motivation to appeal to the masses? Jackson Heights isn't a tourist spot. I think it's to attract the type of residents who want to see chain restaurants so they can replicate where they used to live in New York. And down that path is the Manhattan of today: national drug store chains on every other corner, and the remaining store fronts being occupied by banks or big chains.
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Online dssjh

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #13 on: October 17, 2015, 03:01:09 PM »
and the thing is, people who demand the comforts of a blanket of blandness almost invariably end up fleeing the city once their offspring reach the age of mobility, heading back to the suburbs and leaving us with their detritus.
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Offline pipman

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2015, 08:16:51 AM »
When I am a tourist, typically I look for local foods to try.  The other 335 days where I live, it is nice to have choices that also include some chain establishments.  I love thai, momos, tacos, and pollo--but it is equally nice to walk a few blocks to be able to get a Five Guys burger, etc.  As a JH resident I am much happier with the opening of a Caffe Bene, then a Pollos Mario Sports Bar...and I don't plan on leaving the neighborhood.
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