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Author Topic: Caffe Bene  (Read 18225 times)

Offline CaptainFlannel

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #30 on: October 29, 2015, 03:25:23 PM »
Quote from: abcdefghijk on October 19, 2015, 08:19:21 AM
Telling folks where they should go never works. Folks show us where they want to go by making that business financially successful.

But reminding folks that if they want a community where small businesses thrive they have to do their part by frequenting those businesses can work.
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Offline CaptainFlannel

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #31 on: October 29, 2015, 04:12:50 PM »
Quote from: Shelby2 on October 27, 2015, 06:02:11 PM
I just noticed that the Caffe Bene in Sunnyside is for sale.  I wonder what is going on there.  It opened not that long ago. 

My guess is that if the location is doing well, it's a matter of someone coming in, setting up a business, and now looking to sell for the profit. There's a tendency to think that because someone sells a business it's a failure, but usually if you want to actually sell a business to someone else you kind of need to show that it's a money maker, otherwise why would someone buy it from you? People sell businesses all the time for a variety of reasons: they dig the startup phase, but find running a business to be a drag; want to move; decide they want to pursue another career; decide the amount of work they have to put in to the business is too much and would prefer a 9-5 corporate job; etc.
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Offline abcdefghijk

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #32 on: October 30, 2015, 01:17:31 PM »
But reminding folks that if they want a community where small businesses thrive they have to do their part by frequenting those businesses can work.

It's not enough that a place is a "small business" to warrant folks' money.  It also has to be fresh and good with excellent customer service and atmosphere etc...And in competition with all others... and out-doing them.

That's the axiomatic principle of being in business.

And then customers won't need to be reminded to frequent small community businesses. 

The community will be drawn to them because these businesses are awesome...

The world of business is, in truth, tough...it's like evolution...survival of the fittest...
Especially in NYC...where competition is EVERYWHERE...



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Offline queensborocorp

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Re: Cafe Bene
« Reply #33 on: November 11, 2015, 03:59:08 PM »
Quote from: lalochezia on October 11, 2015, 01:05:25 PM
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.

If you check out the other thread where Stew tries to open up a restaurant on 37th/76th you'll see exactly why NYC is being taken over by chains. Massive multinational corporations with armies of lawyers are the only ones who can fight their way through the city's anti-business bureaucratic hell. People like Stew who want to open up real local independent businesses get screwed.
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Offline Songodd

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Re: Cafe Bene
« Reply #34 on: November 12, 2015, 08:29:06 AM »
Quote from: queensborocorp on November 11, 2015, 03:59:08 PM
Quote from: lalochezia on October 11, 2015, 01:05:25 PM
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.

If you check out the other thread where Stew tries to open up a restaurant on 37th/76th you'll see exactly why NYC is being taken over by chains. Massive multinational corporations with armies of lawyers are the only ones who can fight their way through the city's anti-business bureaucratic hell. People like Stew who want to open up real local independent businesses get screwed.

Is emoji burger having the same problem?
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Offline lalochezia

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #35 on: November 12, 2015, 09:34:38 AM »
Quote from: Songodd on November 12, 2015, 08:29:06 AM
Quote from: queensborocorp on November 11, 2015, 03:59:08 PM
Quote from: lalochezia on October 11, 2015, 01:05:25 PM
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.

If you check out the other thread where Stew tries to open up a restaurant on 37th/76th you'll see exactly why NYC is being taken over by chains. Massive multinational corporations with armies of lawyers are the only ones who can fight their way through the city's anti-business bureaucratic hell. People like Stew who want to open up real local independent businesses get screwed.

Is emoji burger having the same problem?

A good question. Since emoji burger's representative isn't here, we don't know.

 What we do know is that business owners with ties to existing cultural/national communities that already have restaurants/stores in this neighborhood appear to have less problems opening new restaurants/stores quickly.

People on this board have also repeatedly talked about these groups  receiving preferable rent in comparison to an open-market call.
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Offline ljr

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #36 on: November 13, 2015, 10:36:11 AM »
It certainly seems as if some business owners are getting preferential treatment, doesn't it?
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Offline abcdefghijk

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #37 on: November 20, 2015, 01:31:31 PM »
Cafe Bene opened today.  I almost got crushed in the stampede of folks rushing to get in. Plus, let me add, that all types from our multi-cultured, mixed neighborhood were represented.

Wow, this place looks like it's going to be a hit from day one.

Congrats to the owners for the foresight of catering to a need and opening a business that people obviously want.

Customers vote with their wallets...and that is the simple (and pragmatic) fact of business.

The basic issues are for more diverse mom 'n pop businesses to thrive they must compete with the "new and sparkling and CLEAN" atmosphere of this cafe.  There is no reason why other diverse businesses can't lift their game, renovate and match that.  Because, otherwise, they will lose their customer base... and that's just the way business works. These days, people expect that standard of decor.

Diverse mom 'n pop businesses don't have to mean aesthetic carelessness... which comes across like obliviousness for the customers' complete experience.

Even if the prices are slightly higher in a place like Cafe Bene, it just indicates folks are willing to pay for the experience of "being" in fresh, light-filled surroundings. 

As opposed to guilting people as to where to spend their bucks, any business owner would be smart to look and learn from what is obviously working.



 

« Last Edit: November 20, 2015, 01:41:57 PM by abcdefghijk »
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Offline Dodger

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #38 on: November 20, 2015, 04:58:30 PM »
Thanks for the information, abcd. I'm excited to try it! Their chairs don't look that comfortable but it seems like a nice space and a much-needed addition.

And I'm not surprised by what you say concerning the customer-base. (It always struck me that the clientele at the Starbucks was as diverse, if not moreso, than the one at Espresso 77.)

I think a balance between chains and mom n pops is OK--so long as the balance doesn't tip over as in parts of Manhattan.

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Offline cultartist

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #39 on: November 20, 2015, 05:22:25 PM »
And that's why it would be best if an independent and ambitious owner--like Stew or Dudley, for example--could attract encouragement rather than obstacles from the powers-that-be.  Rico Tinto is actually a perfect example of a relatively new, local "mom-and-pop" that is providing great food in an attractive and thoughtful environment and--what do you know!--is doing great business.  Hopefully other establishments, both existing and prospective, will take note and hopefully the various boards and elected officials will help foster an environment where more of this can happen. 
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Offline francis

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #40 on: November 20, 2015, 09:08:52 PM »
Still , from another thread, officials from the community board seems to be giving  giving guys like Stew such a hard,  if not adversarial  time. It makes no sense to me that you wouldn't support such people who are contributing  something positive to the neighborhood. 
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Offline Breezie

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #41 on: November 21, 2015, 06:08:47 PM »
No Cafe Bene reviews? !
Went in today.
Epic...
50 minute wait for a bagel. Did I mention they ran out of plain cream cheese.
Not child friendly,  or wheelchair friendly. Many chairs are unablde to pulled under the childlike tables-feel like I'm  teaching Pre-k.
Not blaming staff, mind you.
The owner-
The customers with children who brought in open scooters. ..well, that's another story.
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Offline rabucat

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #42 on: November 21, 2015, 07:19:18 PM »
I think Breezie is giving Caffe Bene a bit too hard of a time, given that they opened their doors so recently!  My partner and I went to Caffe Bene this afternoon around 1:30 p.m.  They are still definitely working out some kinks (the ordering situation was a bit chaotic, and it seems like they have yet to get the hang of their computers, as they ended up writing orders for the kitchen down with a sharpie on register tape), but the space is quite cute, with lots of warm light from the copious Edison bulbs, planters in the windows, and comfortable chairs.  Breezie is right that the tables are a bit on the tiny side, and the chairs don't tuck away entirely, but it's certainly far more comfortable than the perpetually overrun Starbucks!  We split a ham, egg, and cheese bagel, which was pretty tasty (though just between you and me, the best ham, egg, and cheese bagel in the neighborhood is to be had at Central Cafe), and a cinammon raisin bagel with walnut cream cheese, which was delightful!  Their bagels have a nice chew to them, and they don't go overboard with the cream cheese, mercifully.  The drip coffee was fine, but I preferred the americano, which was a bit stronger.  I was jealous of all of the people having waffles, which looked quite delicious indeed.  They have a wide selection of upscale beverages--flavored Pellegrinos, multiple types of mineral water, Ronnybrook drinkable yogurts, kombucha, etc. 

Put simply, it's a welcome addition to the neighborhood--a clean, well-lighted place with some novel snacks and a nice atmosphere.  Do they have some wrinkles to iron out?  Certainly!  But it's to be expected, and I look forward to going back and seeing Caffe Bene grow into a new neighborhood institution. 
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Offline Breezie

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #43 on: November 21, 2015, 07:41:27 PM »
Quote from: rabucat on November 21, 2015, 07:19:18 PM
I think Breezie is giving Caffe Bene a bit too hard of a time, given that they opened their doors so recently!  My partner and I went to Caffe Bene this afternoon around 1:30 p.m.  They are still definitely working out some kinks (the ordering situation was a bit chaotic, and it seems like they have yet to get the hang of their computers, as they ended up writing orders for the kitchen down with a sharpie on register tape), but the space is quite cute, with lots of warm light from the copious Edison bulbs, planters in the windows, and comfortable chairs.  Breezie is right that the tables are a bit on the tiny side, and the chairs don't tuck away entirely, but it's certainly far more comfortable than the perpetually overrun Starbucks!  We split a ham, egg, and cheese bagel, which was pretty tasty (though just between you and me, the best ham, egg, and cheese bagel in the neighborhood is to be had at Central Cafe), and a cinammon raisin bagel with walnut cream cheese, which was delightful!  Their bagels have a nice chew to them, and they don't go overboard with the cream cheese, mercifully.  The drip coffee was fine, but I preferred the americano, which was a bit stronger.  I was jealous of all of the people having waffles, which looked quite delicious indeed.  They have a wide selection of upscale beverages--flavored Pellegrinos, multiple types of mineral water, Ronnybrook drinkable yogurts, kombucha, etc. 

Put simply, it's a welcome addition to the neighborhood--a clean, well-lighted place with some novel snacks and a nice atmosphere.  Do they have some wrinkles to iron out?  Certainly!  But it's to be expected, and I look forward to going back and seeing Caffe Bene grow into a new neighborhood institution.
I'll give Cafe Bene another chance. As a younger old timer with roots here in Jackson Heights from the late 1930s I am forever hopeful of better things for our community.
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Offline petster

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Re: Caffe Bene
« Reply #44 on: November 23, 2015, 03:40:59 PM »
Went here yesterday for breakfast. It was packed and the line was slow moving which is to be expected for a newly opened place. I had a sandwich which was quite tasty. The place itself is nicely decorated and welcoming. Not too sure why they kept the gates down. Overall a welcomed addition.
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