As Neil & I jet off to the SCAA’s annual conference in Anaheim, we really only have one thing to say to the coffee professionals out there. It’s move to NY.
I know we’re not the first to say that the specialty coffee scene in New York is blooming, but we’ve reached some important points of critical mass. As in previous years, the bubble has gotten a little bigger and more and more shops are coming our way. Roasters are headed here in force, upping the quality game for the locals and adding to the legitimacy of the coffee market here. Unlike the NY Times article a few years back, the one this year listed dozens of places to try.
We don’t see this trend of growth stopping any time soon. In fact, from what we’ve seen with restaurants beginning to take a closer look at their coffee, entrepreneurs showing up with plans and passion, and the shops here planning to rise with the tide of better coffee, we’ve been quite busy. And that’s why we are encouraging you – be you a barista, a roaster, a trainer, or a technician – to come try your luck in New York.
It’s not just for the job. Right now is a great time for someone – or a bunch of someones – in the coffee scene to really shape what New York coffee will look like for years to come. We’ve started with some iconic high-end espresso bars that took coffee to the next level as the world watched. By and large, when you visit the best espresso bars in NYC, you’ll also find some fantastic espresso, and great baristas.
But we haven’t even really started. Millions of people in New York, especially Manhattan, still haven’t had that singular great coffee experience that gets us all hooked. They haven’t met their barista that makes their drink by hand, haven’t tasted a coffee made that moment, just for them.
Their “aha” moment is waiting for you.