August 17, By Michael Florio
An Astoria couple who have been operating a coffee bean delivery business out of their apartment have opened their own coffee shop.
Astoria Coffee, located at 30-04 30th Street, had a soft opening on Thursday, issuing discounts to those customers who could show that they followed the cafe on social media sites.
The cafe sells espresso and milk drinks, brewed coffee, iced coffee and ice cream—among other offerings.
Dennis Lee, who co-owns it with Liz Wick, has applied for a wine and beer license and is expected to be able to offer these items soon.
The couple got their start about two years ago when they began selling coffee beans out of their 37th Street apartment to local businesses.
They got into the coffee business after giving away samples of coffee beans from an artisan roaster (Brioso Coffee) based in their native Ohio.
They quickly realized that local residents and businesses were willing to buy them—so they decided to distribute them.
Before opening the shop they were selling their beans to three professional offices, 10 subscribers and Snowdonia Pub, located at 34-55 32nd St.
The café seats about 18 people and Lee hopes it will be a place for community members to get together.
“We really love the neighborhood and feel comfortable opening our shop here,” he said.
Lee
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