July 30, 2015 By Michael Florio
The owners of Espresso 77 are doubling the size of their café and have launched a fundraiser so they can renovate it to their satisfaction.
Owners Afzal Hossian and Julie Nymann opened Expresso 77, an independent coffee shop located at 35-57 77th Street, in 2007, and have often heard from their customers over the years the need for more space.
The two recently signed a lease to expand into the store next door but quickly discovered that they need more capital.
They have saved $70,000 for the expansion, but need additional funds to finish renovating it.
“We’ve been saving up all these years and we have $70K in capital socked away, but we need a bigger budget to accomplish all of our goals for the renovation,” Julie Nymann wrote on the cafe’s fundraising page.
“Right now, the lease is signed and the space is ours. The plans are drawn up, we are talking with contractors and we are busy shopping for great deals on restaurant equipment that we need in the new space.
Hossian and Nymann aim is to raise $50,000.
Donations have totaled more than $1,300, just five hours after launching.
The owners opened a second location in Park Slope in 2014.
Hossian and Nymann could not be reached for comment.
The fundraiser page can be found here.
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5 Comments
Is e77 the only thing expanding? With the extra money so will Owners ass. I would be so embarrassed to ask my customers for money expecially when their attitude, food, coffee, and morals, are beyond disgusting!!!!
I find the idea disgusting/laughable. These are self-righteous and entitled people who have no business expanding if they can’t afford it. I, for one, would prefer a better cafe in the neighborhood, rather than one that doesn’t have a working business plan, and that actively discourages people with iPads from patronizing them.
Hope he realizes they have to pay income taxes on it. Their not a charity.
A fundraiser really? This is such a joke! I can understand if the place was outstanding, but it’s so below average. And the suckers donating to this cause, donate to a real cause.
Why not get a loan just like every other business looking for capital. Why does this business need charity?