☞ SHOP: The Coffee Shop Trend in Harlem

After Society Coffee shuttered on the lower FDB corridor in the past year, it appeared specialty coffee shops might not have a good run in Harlem but several new contenders have opened and seem to be doing well.  Lenox Coffee at 129th Street takes the lead with its reclaimed wood floors, tin ceiling and vintage milk glass pendant lights while the neighboring Astor Row Cafe just up the block at 130th and Lenox appears to be doing well at its corner location. Both offer specialty roasts and the neighbors have made each newcomers a welcome addition to this section of Central Harlem.

Over on the west side, a few new spots have opened that have been attracting locals to grab some java and work on their laptops. Chokolat opened up by Broadway and 125th's Street just this fall and Kuro Kuma Coffee opened up just two blocks south in the past month.  Both appear to be doing well and proves the point that even a couple of blocks makes a different for most New Yorkers when it comes to convenience. The Chipped Cup up in Hamilton Heights also is providing some much needed caffeine to that section of Broadway over by West 148th Street and has become the spot to hang out at during the day.  Good coffee, a warm environment and free WiFi appear to be a successful combination these days and uptowners have taken notice to those shops that serve it up.