Florida-based coffee chain Carmela Coffee is turning to the New York market for its first out-of-state expansion. The spot will take a 1,500-square-foot space at 10 Fifth Avenue, targeting a September opening, though it will depend on construction progress.
“We have been looking for ways to expand our footprint in a main metropolis,” co-owner David Landaeta told What Now New York. “We considered our next step being New York because of the importance — it’s the capital of the world. We would like to offer all this good coffee that we bring from Costa Rica to New Yorkers. So it is the first store that we want to have out of Florida, and we’re very excited about the opportunity to bring the experience and the customer care to the community in New York.”
Landaeta and Gabriel Amato, who will be helping to spearhead the New York expansion, emphasize that Carmela Coffee not only focuses on sourcing high-quality coffee, but also on providing a relaxing, warm environment for customers. The design of Carmela Coffee locations have homey atmospheres, with soft lighting and music, to serve as reprieves from the daily struggles of life.
“It’s such an inviting space for people just to share and enjoy coffee and enjoy some good food,” Amato told What Now New York. “I think that is what we want to share with the New York community: being that inviting place where people can enjoy this beautiful coffee.”
Plans call for nine tables with 39 seats, according to community board filings. Menu offerings include crafted coffee beverages, tea drinks, all-day brunch, sandwiches, flatbreads, toasts and keto bowls. Community board filings indicate that Carmelo Coffee is seeking a beer and wine license, as well.
The plan for the brand is to eventually expand to additional locations in the New York market, as long as they receive positive customer feedback, Landaeta says.
“New York is so unique. It has multiple cultures, multiple people from different backgrounds, and I think it’s about embracing that and being part of that community,” Amato said. “Being so close also to NYU, we want to cater to that student that is going back to make them have a place that they feel close to home, away from home. So [we want to] really embrace what David mentioned about getting used to what the voice of the customer is and really creating a great experience for them while being part of that community as well.”
