Coffee consumption in the United States has steadily increased over the last two decades, and with that, so has the number of coffee shops. Brewport Coffee House in Bellport, New York and CoHo in Patchogue, New York, are just two of many boutique coffee shops that have opened their doors in recent years.
Shockingly, nearby Starbucks and Dunkin’ also opened around the same time as these little shops. Even more surprising, these tiny shops are not only surviving but thriving despite the presence of their big-chain neighbors.
The Latest Brew in Bellport
Joe SanFilippo and Keith Dawson, brewmasters of Brewport Coffee House, combined their love of coffee and art into their latest venture, something they envisioned for some time before taking the leap to business ownership.
The duo opened Brewport in November 2022, right on South Country Road in Bellport Village. The shop took over the location of the former La Casa De Palma Italian Specialty Shop on a strip filled with character and history.
“Sitting there every day and seeing the potential this cute little place had, my partner Keith and I
just knew it could be a cool little coffee spot,” SanFilippo said. “It’s got a unique, little vibe to it with lots of seating. That’s how we stand out.”
When Kristina Strong, a Bellport native and coffee enthusiast, discovered Brewport, she was hooked from the very first sip of her oat milk latte. It didn’t take long for regular Brewport visits to become part of her weekly routine.
“My partner and I go every Sunday and just enjoy the atmosphere with good coffee and food,” Strong said of Bellport Village’s newest business. “It’s so cute inside, and the artwork is always changing.”
Does Bellport Run on Dunkin?
Shortly before Brewport opened its doors, a drive-through Dunkin’ opened less than two blocks away. For SanFillippo and Dawson, beating the national chain comes down to two things: the customer and the ambiance.
“We put a lot of thought into the vibe we were going for based on the type of customer we want to attract,” said Dawson. “Dunkin’ attracts those on the go. We want those who take it slow.”
However, there are times when even Brewport’s ideal customer can’t escape the convenience of the drive-through.
“As a busy mom of two young kids, I can’t always take the time to parallel park and bring my kids into the coffee shop with me,” said Taylor Devaney, another Bellport native. “Although I prefer Brewport’s coffee, sometimes I have to get Dunkin’ simply because it’s easier in the moment.”
Traditional Coffee - Revisioned
Roughly seven miles from Brewport Coffee House is the newly renovated CoHo, short for Coffee House, located on Main Street in Patchogue.
Formerly The Bean of Patchogue, CoHo is the brainchild of Rob Cutrone, the now full-owner of the coffee shop. He found inspiration for his new venture from another Texas-based coffee shop.
“I was reading a magazine and I stumbled upon Brew and Brew in Austin,” said Cutrone. “I was like, ‘Wow, what an energy, what a fun place for people to gather to be social.'”
To Cutrone, what made Brew and Brew so unique was its atmosphere and offerings, serving everything from traditional coffee concoctions to boozy cocktails – and lots of food. He felt the people of Patchogue would enjoy something of a similar nature.
“We will still operate as a traditional coffee shop during the day. Once night strikes, we will transform into a bar where live music will be a staple,” said Cutrone, who has a background as a DJ. “We want the chills vibes from the morning to continue into the evening, something different from the other bars in Patchogue.”
More for the Community
In addition to coffee and cocktails, CoHo will also be available for private community events, such as support groups, mommy-and-me groups and mental health sessions. With wellness as a focal point of the coffee shop’s vision, the menu also reflects a transition toward healthy eating.
In true community fashion, CoHo shop partnered with Phin, a Blue Point-based philanthropic company that allows customers to donate a portion of their transaction to a nonprofit or cause of their choosing.
Standing Strong Against the Big Dog
Across the street from CoHo is a brand-new, stand-alone Starbucks that includes (you guessed it) a drive-through, adding new challenges to boutique coffee shop. Luckily, Cutrone isn’t worried in the slightest.
“Our vision of our bar goes far beyond anything that Starbucks could ever offer, ” he said. “We have so much to offer that separates us from them. I have no doubt in my mind that we will be fine.”
Continue to Brew
Brewport and CoHo are just two of the many local coffee shops bringing new ideas and visions to their respective communities, drawing inspiration and appeal from those they want to attract. These new visions, coupled with an increase in remote work, are helping maintain the steady growth of boutique coffee shops.
“You can’t compare the experience of a big chain to that of a local coffee shop,” said Devaney. “Local shops are each so different. I hope their popularity continues to shine.”