Greenpoint coffee shop Sippy Café closing after rent nearly triples
Co-owners Cerina Shao and Judy Zhu announced the decision in a heartfelt Instagram post, saying their rent had nearly tripled.
Sippy Café, a popular coffee shop in Greenpoint known for its colorful, pan-Asian–inspired drinks, will close its Franklin Street location in mid-October after nearly five years in business.
Co-owners Cerina Shao and Judy Zhu announced the decision in a heartfelt Instagram post, saying their rent had nearly tripled.
“We’ve met incredible people, watched customers turn into friends, and built a team that has truly become our family,” they wrote. “As we prepare to close this chapter, please accept our deepest and eternal gratitude.”
Shao and Zhu opened the café in 2021 shortly after graduating college, despite having no prior coffee experience. They say everything they know now, they learned through running the shop.
Community members say they are sad but not surprised to see another small business forced out by rising costs.
“Everything is doubling, everything is changing,” said Taylor, a Greenpoint resident. “Every single restaurant around here has changed within the last couple of years.”
Sippy Café’s other locations in Brooklyn Heights and Alphabet City will remain open.
