A Brooklyn coffee shop in Crown Heights has remained open through the coronavirus pandemic and a recent uptick in business is bringing in new faces--as many come to support their Black Lives Matter message. 

The Breukelen Coffee House wasn’t seeing many faces three months ago. Instead, it was seeing a dip in sales during New York City’s shelter-in-place order. However, that’s recently changed. 

“There have been a lot of people coming in...my favorite question is ‘is this Black-owned?” says owner Lawrence Warren. “I’m happy that some people are coming back.” 

 

With a renewed call to support the Black Lives Matter movement and Black-owned businesses, Warren tells News 12 he’s encouraged. 

Although the coffee house isn’t open to its full capacity with indoor dining, Warren says he is still hopeful. 

“There’s no time for discouragement, I’m just trying to be optimistic as much as I can,” said Warren.