Brooklyn coffee shop faces closures after recent rent hike; community steps up to support
A viral video sent the Williamsburg community to the rescue, as a small business owner faces rent hikes and an uncertain future.
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The power of social media has changed the trajectory of a small coffee shop on Grand Street.
Buddies Coffee located at 150 Grand Street has been pouring a taste of Puerto Rico since 2022. The owners, Rachel Nieves and her boyfriend Taylor, tell News 12 the rent is expected to be around $30,000 a month.
After finding out the news, Nieves posted on Tik Tok shedding tears and the reality of being a small business owner in neighborhoods facing gentrification. Since then, the video has had over six million views and rallied a number of supporters.
Social media influencers, as well as Joe Jonas from the Jonas Brothers, have posted in support of Buddies Coffee, encouraging others to pay the shop a visit.
Nieves says the power of social media has spread far beyond what she ever could have imagined.
"We live in New Jersey. I dragged my husband I was like 'you're coming, we need to support,'" said a customer in line.
Unfortunately, even with all the community support, Buddies Coffee will be forced to relocate.
"So, we're just there until November, maybe even before we leave the plan is to be in the East Village." said Nieves.
Nieves says she still cannot process how the community has supported her and hopes to build that same sense of community at their next location.
