
4

"Born from conversations about starting a wine bar and a deliberate decision to bootstrap, this coffee pop-up focuses on cold brew made with a bartending flair and has built a loyal Instagram and TikTok following as Brandon Sardi—who serves as the face of the business—breaks down line-item costs, weekly cup sales, and revenue on camera (usually filmed by partner Alexis Howard). After going viral during an installation at North Beach’s Bodega, the operation is moving into the former Queens location at 1235 9th Avenue and will open on April 5, serving cold brew, matcha, and pastries from Rosalind Bakery every day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; pourovers and rotating items are planned later and the team will have coffee roasted by Saint Frank Coffee. Emphasizing the unglamorized side of entrepreneurship, the founders started with minimal equipment (noting a $100 five-gallon brewer as an example), reinvest all profits, and publicly share the gritty financial details of building the business." - Paolo Bicchieri