Picky Barista, a trendy coffee shop with a European flair, continues to caffeinate the Upper West Side with plans for a new location.
Owner Dragan Bulic moved from Serbia to New York City in 2008 with a dream of opening his own business. Drawing on his love of coffee, specialty drinks and 1920s aesthetics, along with more than 10 years of experience working in bars, Bulic eventually decided to venture out on his own.
“My goal was to have one coffee shop; I didn’t need anything else. But, New York makes you grow and that’s the most beautiful thing about the city,” Bulic told Whatnow New York City.
Picky Barista’s latest location will debut at 2321 Broadway, joining its five other Manhattan locations at 2680 Broadway, 667 Columbus Ave., 1220 Lexington Ave., 245 W. 72nd St. and 431 W. 121st St.
“The Upper West Side, everybody knows us, and we really like the neighborhood. It’s right between our two locations on 92nd and 72nd. We’re trying to close the circle and accommodate all our guests to have the closest location possible,” he said.
The coffee shop originally opened as Peaky Barista, a name inspired by owner Bulic’s love of peaky hats and vests, which evoke the style of the 1920s. Although many customers associated the shop with the hit show “Peaky Blinders,” Bulic said the concept was never intended to be inspired by the series, despite his appreciation for the show.
The team later changed the name to Picky Barista, keeping the shop’s original vibe while reflecting Bulic’s pickiness about coffee. Quality remains a top priority, with the shop serving Stumptown Coffee brewed on a Slayer espresso machine.
To complement its coffee, Picky Barista offers a selection of homemade, Balkan-inspired pastries influenced by family recipes from “Mama Bulic.”
The new shop will feature a bright, airy interior with plants, books and handmade wooden tables.
“I like to be recognized and have my guests have the same feeling when they come into all my stores. This store is going to be the same, with brick, a big mirror, peaky hats, light blue color. I always say color affects people’s mood. Morning is my favorite part of the day, so I want everything to be bright,” he said.
Bulic looks forward to expanding the cafe’s footprint.
“Every location brings something new, and it’s a challenge, but it drives excitement. The people are excited too—that makes me happy,” he said.
Picky Barista has not announced an official opening date, but Bulic expects the shop to open in the “next couple of months.”
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