Cup Of Harlem
Of the nearly 11,000 Starbucks in the world, there is but one in Harlem. Located on 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, it’s a Starbucks that bucks the trend — at least that’s what historian Bryant Simon is reporting as he visits hundreds of these coffee shops to learn what it means to live and consume in the age of globalization.
''There's a deep sense of unpredictability in the modern world,” Simon said in a recent NY Times article. “And what Starbucks provides a lot of people is predictability.''
Unless, of course, you’re in Harlem. Simon, who teaches at Temple University in Philadelphia and is working on a book titled “Consuming Starbucks”, noticed a couple of irregularities on 125th Street. According to The New Yorker:
The store was busy and cramped — too cramped, he thought — and lacked the usual niceties like upholstered furniture. The dinginess struck him as more than coincidence. “It’s a classic American story,” he said. “African-Americans get less of everything.”While many residents here could probably take Starbucks or leave it, I'm curious about Simon's observation. Is Harlem getting a half empty cup or is Simon's filter — or view — simply the wrong fit for the Harlem pot?
posted by Rachel Natalie Klein at 1:11 AM
25 Comments:
One thing I like about the 125th St Starbucks is the patrons better represent a good cross section of the local community.
As opposed to Settepani which is frequented more by the new privileged Harlemites.
However, for my money, the coffee, decor, cleanliness and service is better at Settepani.
What about other cafes in Harlem, does anyone have any recommendations?
Harlemwhite
Chain restaurants and retail businesses always try to add touches of the local community in ther establishments. Unfortunately, the enigma that is Harlem is rarely successfully quantitified by businesses who move into the neighborhood. Honestly, it is a bit of a catch-22: if businesses move in and don't alter merchandise, decor, hours, etc. to reflect the community, they will be unsuccessful. BUT, if they don't get it right, they leave themselves open to criticism for highlighting the wrong aspects. For example, I used to work for The Body Shop when they first moved into Harlem. It was then known as a "Community store", meaning that it was giving access to top-quality skin and hair care in a community that was devoid of brand-name boutiques (for better or worse). The exterior reflected local artists, staff were a combination of Harlemites and predominantly Black and Hispanic, and inside the merchandise was gradually streamlined to meet the demands of the neighborhood. Part of that 'streamlining' was a reconciliation of the fact that although the deomgraphic data of the community (especially in the early 90s) did not support the price structure of premium skin and hair care, yet when lots of discounted items were ushered into the store, shoppers complained that it was disrespectful to assume that the store could feature little more than close-outs. Tricky to find the balance, and the only way to 'solve' it is for businesses to find out as much as they can about the neighborhood before setting up shop, and for locals to share the vibe ad history of the area so retailers can feel at home instead of criticized for making a few tactical errors. Everybody wants it to work.
has anyone tried that new cafe/coffee shop on 5th ave and 127th? (i think )
cleanliness is better at Setepani??? That is the same place my friend saw a huge rat run across the floor after she ate there! Hmmmmm....
Anon at 12:13pm
Cool, never seen a rat actually in a cafe before, seen mice run across the floor in an EV restaurant but that was a long time ago.
Maybe it’s from the caviar bar across the street and came over for desert.
Harlemwhite
Anon at 10:58 AM,
Not for a while but they have or had a spa on the 2nd floor, where I was given a tour.
The spa has several different named rooms and the last room (on the corner) was set aside for groups couples!!!
Can’t tell you about the coffee though.
Harlemwhite
Enjoy the rat turds Harlem White. Don't mistake them for chocolate sprinkles. I'm sure she wouldn't claim that she saw a rat AFTER she had already eaten in a place.
Oh Please,
rats and roaches are everywhere in this city. Recently, my boss found a roach in his salad, bought from the Deli at 54th and Broadway. (New York's Best Deli, it proudly says. They should change that to "We serve extra protein.")
Chain restaurants and retail businesses have historically added touches of the local community in their establishments. Unfortunately, the enigma that is Harlem is rarely successfully quantified by businesses who move into the neighborhood.
Honestly, it is a bit of a catch-22: if businesses move in and don't alter merchandise, decor, hours, etc. to reflect the community, they will be unsuccessful-- marketing 101, know your cutomer. BUT, if they don't get it right, they leave themselves open to criticism for highlighting the wrong aspects or culture or race. For example, I used to work for The Body Shop when it first moved into Harlem. It was then known as a "Community Store", meaning that it was providing local access to top-quality skin and hair care in a community that was devoid of brand-name boutiques (for better or worse) and then returning some of the profits to local causes. The exterior reflected local artists, staff included Harlemites and was predominantly Black and Hispanic, and inside the merchandise was gradually streamlined to meet the demands of the neighborhood residents. Part of that 'streamlining' was reconciling the fact that the demographic data of the community (especially in the early 90s) did not support the price of premium skin and hair care, with complaints from shoppers that it was disrespectful to assume that the store could feature little more than close-outs, when lots of discounted items were ushered into the store.
Tricky to find the balance, and the only way to 'solve' it is for businesses to find out as much as they can about the neighborhood and its residents before setting up shop, and for locals to share the vibe and history of the area so retailers can feel at home instead of criticized for making a few tactical errors, or for not 'getting' it. Everybody wants it to work. The community needs increased economic activity, improved access and choice, and businesses want to tap into new revenue streams. Win-win.
There was another Starbucks on 138th and Broadway, a Magic Johnson Starbucks that was very nice and spacious, very clean, but with Dunkin Donuts moving in, and McDonald's, it was too expensive for most of the people in my neighborhood but oh how I miss it.
Aside from chocolate sprinkles (anon at 1:13 PM), has anyone been to “the brownstone” café on 5th btwn 125th and 126th, always closed when I go there.
No chocolate sprinkles on my bagel
Anon at 1:28PM
Anon at 1:28PM
The only historically added touches of the local community I see in Starbucks is Magic Johnson’s smiling face.
Also, it is impossible to open a store without upsetting someone.
But it is important to try to provide employment; sadly serving coffee will not pay the rent in a new luxury condo.
Harlemwhite
I happen to love the 125th Street Starbucks. I don't need comfy oversized chairs and an expanded variety of espresso machines. I'm there for my familiar venti latte to go, and they have it - made how I like it, without all of the pretense.
What about the short unlisted size
No chocolate sprinkles on my cappuccino
Elizabeth,
I remember that Starbucks...I was beginning to think it was a figment of my imagination because it came and left so quickly! Thank goodness more coffee house are opening up in the neighborhood. Have you been to Java Brewing on Amsterdam near CCNY? Very tight in there but somewhere to grab a quick cup o' joe.
"has anyone tried that new cafe/coffee shop on 5th ave and 127th? (i think )"
Are you taking about BOMA inside of Nubian Heritage???
That is on 5th between 125th and 126th. Only one I can think of. Allegedly there is a cafe in the Brownstone across the street but I think they keep weird hours...not good for business.
-Uppity
Uppity! Hahaha. Hilarious. BOMA is BEAUTIFUL. And all the products in the larger store are wonderful. Very friendly staff. A little expensive. Settepani is expensive, too, but nice for a cup of coffee. They are building a new DD on 116 and 1st, where the old Delightful restuarant used to be. I'm sad to see it go, but now you can get your bagel, Rachel!
Ha! Who needs another Star****s anyway? Not this green Earth! Try the little tin coffee/muffin/bagel... stand on the corner of 135th and St. Nick's. Decent coffee, very friendly guys who run it, support a small business, and the best part, you don't have to swallow that awful crap SB's tries to pass for coffee!
*Only the best choc sprinks served at this little stand!*
Sugar Hill Cafe has great coffee and a really lovely atmosphere. On 145th between St. Nick and Edgecomb.
i'm new to E. Harlem and recently visited the 125th St. Starbucks. It just seemed like a reflection of the area--not necessarily positive or negative. So it wasn't slick like, say, the Lincoln Center Starbucks. Who would want this anyway? Have not tried Settepani but looking forward to it. I really have enjoyed the Harlem Tea Room, great, cozy atmosphere.
My real reason for posting is that I'm looking for a local, independent place to buy fresh coffee by the pound. For not knowing any better, this is why I went to Starbucks in the first place. But I'd much rather support a local business. Any ideas?
BOMA inside of Nubian Heritage is the closest choice. They are on 5th Avenue between 126 and 126th Sts. You can't miss them. Also you might want to support a new cafe called Sugarhill Java and Tea Cafe on 145th Street off of St. Nick that also sells coffees by the lb. The shop opened about a month or so ago. The owner's name is Josai and she is simply delightful. Before these choices became available I would buy my beans from the Fairway on 12th Ave. near 137th St.
Society
114th and Frederick Douglass.
Good coffee
great staff
nice room
I heard there's a second Starbucks coming to Harlem. I haven't verified this, however.
http://huntgrunt.blogspot.com/2006/04/may-9-grande-day-for-roosevelt-island.html
Try Les Ambassades on Frederick Douglass between 118/119. It's a wonderful bakery/cafe/restaurant with a nice cozy neighborhood vibe.
Great Coffee shop in Harlem is Society on 2104 Frederick Douglas Blvd(8th ave) Corner of 114th st.
Relaxing vibe, great Belgium Waffles, Smoothies, good variety of healthy food, great Coffee. Can bring your Laptop and use Wireless for free.
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