If you found yourself walking down Grand Street in Williamsburg recently you may have seen a line down the block spilling out of Buddies Coffee, a self-funded mom and pop business that’s been serving delicious coffee to Brooklynites just over four years now. The reason for the line: NYC locals–and even some celebrities–are rallying together to save the coffee shop after owner Rachel Nieves posted a heartbreaking video to her TikTok stating how, due to rent increase, she may not be able to stay in the same lease.
“I started my business with my boyfriend, just the two of us, with just a couple thousand dollars,” Nieves starts out, “And it really has changed my life and it was the scariest thing I’ve ever done.” She goes on to say:
This is gentrification…I’ve been doing it for four years now…I’m one of the only newest Puerto Rican-owned businesses…and today I just got word that I might not be able to stay in the same lease because of rent increase, which is the reality for so many people. But not only that, right next door to me they’re putting a coffee shop.
Nieves notes how Williamsburg used to be a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood before gentrification wiped so many people away. “So what it meant for me to start a new business was this fresh start of like, ‘You know what? We’re not going anywhere. We’re here, we’re staying, we can succeed, we can build our businesses, we have community here,'” she said.
What sets Buddies Coffee apart from some other coffee shops is that Nieves roasts her own beans, which she also offers wholesale. “I started it myself. I roast all the coffee. No one gave me money to do this, I have no one backing me, except all of you guys,” she said.
And, in true New Yorker fashion, locals are flocking to Buddies to not only grab a delicious cup of coffee but to just show some love to the small-owned business. Even celebrities such as Joe Jonas are showing their support! Jonas posted his own video on TikTok, saying:
I am walking over to this coffee shop Buddie’s Coffee in Williamsburg…I saw this heartbreaking video and I want to go support. I think you should too. If you’re in New York go to the coffee shop, get some coffee and beans, she roasts her own beans, pretty amazing. Or you can order online.
So if you’ve yet to check out Buddies Coffee yet, now is the perfect time to do so! Our suggestion: order the Coquito Latte. Coquito originates in Puerto Rico and consists of rum, coconut cream, condensed milk, and spices like cinnamon and clove. It’s typically a Christmas beverage, though Nieves is making it a year-round must-order, swapping out rum for espresso. It’s certainly a crowd favorite!
And as for Nieves, she’s not backing down. She stated:
It just feels like…the small people can’t win…I want to uplift other women and I want to show that Puerto Rican women can do things and be successful and make an impact on people….I’m going to continue to work hard, I’m going to continue to show up…We’re not going anywhere–I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be stronger and I’m going to inspire people. That’s all I wanna do.
Stay up to date with all of Buddies Coffee’s happenings on their Instagram.
📍 150 Grand Street