Buddie’s Coffee, the Viral Coffee Shop in NYC, Says “Goodbye”

By  Sandra Lopez

Buddie's Coffee

Photo by @jasonlecras, courtesy of @buddiesbk

Rachel Nieves, the Buddies Coffee co-Owner who went viral this Spring after posting about the rising rent of her Williamsburg coffee shop, has announced that the coffee shop is moving. Buddies Brooklyn posted a video on Instagram announcing the grand closing, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 17. 

The video also states that there will be a liquidation sale and that “everything must go.” While no new location or address has been shared yet, viewers  shared their guesses— and preferences in the comments. 

Divines NYC commented “Come to East Harlem baby 😍😍😍,” with Buddies replying “WE SHOULD HUH.”  When asked by another commenter where the new shop will be moving to, Buddies replied “UPWARD.”

It’s unclear whether the comment was literal or figurative, but one thing’s for sure— the new shop will no longer be situated in Brooklyn. 

“Hi I’m Rachel, and I own a coffeeshop in Brooklyn. Can you believe I’m only going to say that statement five more times?” Says Rachel in a recent TikTok post with more details on the move and the positive impact on the shop since posting her raw video in February. 

@its.rachel.rose

DONT CRY BC ITS OVER – or whatever they say 😂😭🥹💐 #smallbusiness #coffeetok #buddiescoffee #badbunny @Bad Bunny #coffee #womanownedbusiness #coquitomatcha #matcha #nyc #coffeetiktok #dayinmylife

♬ оригинальный звук – junior_gd

Buddies Coffee originally made headlines earlier this year after Nieves shared an emotional video detailing the coffee shop’s fate after receiving news of a rent increase that would push her to shut down her coffee business just as a new coffee shop opened up next door. 

“You just feel like you can’t win. The small people can’t win,” stated Nieves in the video that made her story go global. 

@its.rachel.rose

Happy start to women’s history months I guess ! 😘 Hearing this news today just now completely broke me. As a self funded small like true mom and pop business this news is scary – I’ve never tried to nor want to “compete” with anyone. If you know me you know I truly don’t see anyone as a competitor- however, knowing someone -whoever they are is planning on opening literally next door not down the block across the street around the corner. I cannot deny it will crush me. I’m hopeful we will make the most out of these next 6-7 months in this space and I just know God was holding my hand when I decided to sign a lease in the city (with hopes and dreams of having two shops) I will continue to remain delusional always I will always work hard show up for myself and show up for others. I promised myself If I was to make content I will be completely myself – nothing curated just raw and here I am 😘 #coffee #dayinmylife #coffeetiktoklovers #badbunny #brooklyn #buddiescoffee #coffeenyc #nyc #ditl #coffeetok #womenownedbusiness

♬ original sound – Rachel

Nieves, a Puerto Rican roaster, opened Buddies Coffee in 2020 with a few thousand dollars alongside her husband Taylor Nawrocki. The Latine business became a cornerstone of Williamsburg, which has historically been home to the Puerto Rican diaspora in the 40’s and 50’s before gentrification and skyrocketing rent priced out families and residents out of the Brooklyn community. 

Buddies Coffee is celebrating its closure on Saturday, May 17 at its original address, 150 Grand Street, Brooklyn NY.

Buddie's Coffee coffee viral