Espresso 77 is doubling its space
Jan. 12, 2016 By Michael Florio
Espresso 77, the popular Jackson Heights café, has closed for expansion.
The coffee shop, located at 35-77 77th Street, will be shut for a month in order for construction to take place.
“Starting Monday, Espresso 77 will be closed for the construction of our new expanded space,” owners Afzal Hossian and Julie Nymann posted on Jackson Heights Life, an online forum.
“We expect to re-open in about a month and will post here once we have a re-opening date set,” the post continued.
The two, who opened the café in 2007, have heard from their customers over the years that they needed more space. When the neighboring store became available, they decided to take it over and signed a lease in July.
After signing the lease, the two quickly discovered they required additional capital. They had saved $70,000 for the expansion, but were still in need of another $50,000 to cover the construction costs and restaurant equipment.
The two then launched a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo.com in hopes of raising the needed capital.
Hossian said in September that they would be able to keep the donations even if the goal was not met, unlike other fundraising websites, such as Kickstarter.
While the two came short of their goal of $50,000, the campaign did raise $13,946 toward the expansion.
Despite not reaching the goal of $50,000 the two are still going forward with the expansion. Hossian told the Jackson Heights Post in September that they would take out a loan if needed.
The owners could not be reached for comment.
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One Comment
Take out a loan? Instead of asking for handouts? What a concept!