By COLlive reporter
Goodbye twin-tailed mermaid. Welcome hatted chossid.
A new coffee shop in the Brooklyn neighborhood in Crown Heights is taking inspiration from the largest coffeehouse company in the world, but trying to be better.
Chocolatte, conveniently located on the ground floor of the Jewish Children’s Museum on the corner of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, will be offering signature Starbucks items.
There will, of course, be the hot, cold and flavorful coffees from the Italian brand illy and also pastries and sandwiches in a glass display case. At the counter there will be snacks and even frozen yogurt with toppings.
The difference will be in the taste, says Hillel Harel, manager of the new store and brother of the owner, R’ Levi Yitzchok Harel, a Crown Heights resident.
“We will be similar to Starbucks’ concept that we will have ready to go pastries and sandwiches for people to grab before they go on the Subway to work,” said Harel.
“But unlike Starbucks whose products are made in a mass production at a warehouse, we will be baking it in store, with a new batch every half an hour,” he said.
The closest Starbucks to Crown Heights, located in Park Slope, is frequented by many Jewish youngsters.
“We will be better and kosher,” states Harel, who has run Toast Baguette down the street (today Pomodori Pizza) and helped open his family owned Sushi Tokyo in Brooklyn.
The new shop fills the space that served as a Judaica and gift shop for the museum’s visitors. Next door is Mendy’s Deli serving glatt kosher food.
Scheduled to open before Lag Baomer next week, Chocolatte has seating for 15 people, in addition to outside seating for 40 at the museum’s dreidel sculpture and for another 18 in the building’s entrance lobby.
Chocolatte is cholov yisrael under the supervision of OK Kosher Certification. It will be open weekdays from 6 AM until 12 AM.
what happened to being open all night – 24/6
i went there, and i dont understand why they allow boys and girls to work tog behind the counter. plus the girls are wearing pants and short sleeves! anyhhow we must do something about this we need to make a kidush lubavitch, especially because so many people fromdifferent sects come to the jcm, they dont need to see this. please lets figure out what to do together, this is unacceptable!
Great idea
an expert, at the machine is a must
YOU SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE A VERY BUSY LIFE YOURSELF WITH HOW MANY COMMENTS YOU READ AND ANNALIZED! DON’T JUDGE OTHERS WITH THE SAME FAULT YOU HAVE!
10,6- are you overweight? why would Gashmius matter so much The Rebbe said you are only supposed to strive for Ruchnius. Dont take after your Taivos!
13, 25, 77, 91- You have nothing todo with your time !!!!! go get a life, spend time with your children if you have any.I am getting bored reading your long posts!
Ever been to the country. Well there is a store there called chocolatte. This is the same thing. But anyway, it’s the heavenest store in the universe.
I’d like to see some decent shoe store or gift shop open up! FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD. I’m not interested in another useless hangout!
🙂
pls have filtered water….
the store is not opening until rosh chodesh sivan
Please designate a rooftop ‘quiet area’ for students/anyone who needs to study and work – This way you will cater to ALL!
The dreidel area will be swarming with active kids and moms with strollers and babies. Not so conducive for those who want to get work done with a good coffee 🙂
Thanks! Very exciting!
Guys, I just realised! The glasses are two coffee cups..how cute is that?
If like Starbucks it will be excellent to conduct mivtzoim and talk with our youth about chsidishkeit. Our kids have inside their heart a very presious little spark for the Rebbe and Chsides we just need to kindle that spark with love and dedication.
OK hecsher doesn’t care about filters so what of a good choice you are talking about? You may say it’s a better choice but not good enough.
starbucks is a place that people study, theres couches, tables etc..free wifi…its not crowded with baby strollers and loud crown heightsers…i will try this out, but still love starbucks
At least it’s a lubavitcher making the parnasa.
Hope they can make a card- like Starbucks that u can prepay and add it to a smart phones, bc it’s so annoying to carry cash!!
Free drinks for ones birthday:)
frapachino please!!! 🙂 i will personally support u iyh 🙂
here is the price list.
free coffee
free danishes
free wifi
and we gonna close in 3 days
Wishing you good luck!
Keep wondering what the prices are going to be.. I’m predicitng cheaper than Basils but HIGH
Amazing how many business entrepreneurs are commenting on how to run this place. You should open your own stores!!!
To the people criticising, your not prophets, and stop saying what’s goin to happen. People! Enjoy life, you are lucky to be in a community where there is the availability for a kosher coffee shop. Never mind everything else there is. And if we can use it for good, moshiach will come sooner. And people will have more important stud to do, but unfortunately we are in golus, and yes, coffee is good!!!!
another hangout place for the boys n girls like we dont have enough in crown height. we dont need it,
just another hangout for bochurim and girls we dont need it
i actually think it just makes the store look like a jewish coffee shop
Goooooooooooooo LEVI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This place will end up like all the other places in CH, serving chemical, processed junk that Americans love so much. (The only exception is Basil.)
What is food worship?
I’m sure all CH businesses would want to be under the CHK Perhaps it’s not as easy as you think. (and I’m not talking about Kashrus standards, I’m thinking politics)
hope they can make an iced cafe mocha.. then i will finaly be able to get it with real milk
Food worship is replacing spiritual pursuit. It was outsiders who brought in this food worship, now it’s insiders
Some good coffee in Crown Heights! Very much needed… Much hatzalach!!!
I agree with 19. Get a new logo.
This logo gives off the impression of a heimishe bakery, not a classy upscale coffee shop.
If they don’t have the free refill for loyal customers. It will not work well in a Jewish community. I hope they will have it
This will just be another over-priced Kingston store overrun with loud bochurs from 770. I’m betting you can’t walk through because of baby carriages, and it will be staffed by people who don’t speak english.
Try to not have CC minimums! This is a small item cafe not a full scale R. If I’m with my kids I can’t be sure of the’ exact amount’ and NO with a cash machine across return ok with long lines (fee free) I can’t always get cash. Also for small times a coffee and danish I may not have small amounts with me. The fees are written off as tax expense. And stores aren’t supposed to have minimums according to company policy. Its commend ate that Sweet Expressions never had that policy and they get lots of my… Read more »
grand opening special $1 for a large cup of coffee for the first week. we’re looking forward to see you all stop by
Starbucks works b/c ppl can sit and be LEFT ALONE. I also think the prices will be high. 5$ plus a pastry and 2.50 and up for the coffee. Basil used to have high prices for their coffee and it didn’t WORK! Sales went wayyy up when they lowered it to 1.63$. This guy can make all the excuses about using good quality coffee beans, machines etc. But if he wants the moringin crowd to come in and grab a cup before the train OR woman w/children /friends to gather for snacks/coffee on a regular basics not just a ‘once… Read more »
Who said it wasn’t?
Wondering WHO will be cooking coffee (Ari haKodesh paskened that coffee has to be bishul Yisroel, and although many don’t follow some do and are careful to only drink coffee made by Yidden)
Why are so many new restaurants and food stores under something OTHER than the CHK?? This IS the Rebbe’s neighborhood – it should be under the Rebbe’s hashgacha! The OK was formed (by and with the Rebbe) to serve the REST of the world, NOT for us!!
I love how 40 people can sit around the dreidel and 18 in the lobby – where in the steps???
LOL
I miss the Tzivos Hashem store…
A great place for kids (all-ages).
Every Museum has a gift shop, what happened to this one?
liquer store has to do with government regulations
besides its milchig and fleishig
openning 3s upremarkets is not hasogas gvul is
taking over the neighborhood
lets all be positive and enjoy zogt lechaim
Yay!!!!
Is there going to be a soy option for lactose intolerance?
Thanks so much, I always wished for this.
Please keep the prices down
CH people are on low income .
We all want to enjoy
free wifi?
can I study there? That’s what the “youngsters” are om Starbucks for…
Will there be a soy option for lactose intolerant?
i hope they have iced passion fruit tea- its my favorite
I think the logo is trying to give an idea of the Starbucks queen with a chasiddishe twist
Congratulations on using a good hechser. I hope you do the right thing and install a filter system that eliminates bugs, so that all of crown heights can eat betachlis hahidur.
GOMBOS COFFEE IS ONE DOLLAR HERE IT MAY COST A FOURTENE!
YES THERE WILL BE FREE WIFI IYH!!!!
awsome!! ch will never have anything like this!!!! Bezrat hashem it should go rlly well and be very matzliach!!!!
next time i come to ch i have to check it out!!!! 🙂
The Rebbe was very makpid. but with the CH community growing as it is i dont think its stealing in the slightest.
woohoooo loving it!!!! such cute logooooooo hope u guys are matzliach!!!
1st I would like to wish the store much Hatzlacha.
2nd I love what they did with the telephone number.
Last, Why do people who don’t work or don’t run a business think they know how to. Prices are made with great consideration and not just “oh lets charge a lot of money!”.
Did you know that most stores in CH have the same things as all other communities and are actually CHEAPER!!!?
BE positive.
To#28 thats out the window a long time ago out with the old in with the new
The recent proliferation of kosher eateries in CH- classy luncheonettes, ice cream stores, sushi places, juice bars, and now a Starbucks experience makes me wonder if anyone actually LEARNED Chassidus. I am not such a big chosid, I enjoy the finer things in life, but I know that we never used to “koch zich in essen.”
As if our people are walking around tznitz
This is very exciting, however, I can imagine it being expensive.
Gombos has fresh ground coffee for $99 cents for any size.
yayyyyyyyyyy
Please offer milk alternatives for those who cannot have dairy- such as soy or almond milk. Also, chai tea latte, with the starbucks base
And I thought that the JCM and all its facilities were to be used to further children’s activities and education. It’s become a money mill like any other American establishment. Sad.
a place where bochrim can walk in comfortably instead of sweet expresions which is always full of meidlach
I once wanted to open a store in that very same location, before the apartment building came down for the museum. There was a similar business on the next block (between Union & president) When I asked the Rebbe if my type store was appropriate in that location – but didn’t say anything about another similar store a block away, the Rebbe’s answer was a brocho for my venture and added in his own handwriting “and the inyan of hasogas gevul doesn’t enter the picture, is bichlal not an issue” competition is very healthy and great for the customers as… Read more »
Jewish money should go to Jewish stores.
Who cares for Starbucks ?? It’s so goyshe’
Will it be open on Motzoei Shabbos?
great choice i love starbucks milkshakes even with thier soymilk
u should have the option to do soy and use thier soymilk its the best) bc ppl like me who am alergict to dairy want a section wholy for non dairy you should have much hatzlacha i seriously cant wait and great location 2 blocks from my house awsomness
cant wait to go and visit!! are you going to have hot chocolate also?????????
i love the classy mug
I wish you lot of luck, but I hope your prices arent going to be to high, like a lot of stores in crown heights.
Yay so excited, basil is a fortune and sweet expression is not relaxing, will be nice to have a place to have lunch or a snack with friends or family
If this is like Starbucks, then you should expect a hangout spot.
i hope you do well!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW COULD ANYONE COMPARE A STARBUCKS STYLE OPERATION TO THE AMAZING (SIC) DAIRY LUNCHEONETTE THAT WE HAD ON KINGSTON IN THE SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES. I AM TALKING ABOUT THE DAIRY RESTURANT OWNED BY MRS. SPRITZER AND MR. COHEN. WHITE GLOVE SERVICE BY BETTY & LOTTY.FRESH BREWED COFFEE (SO THEY RAN IT THRU THREE TIMEES ). CAN A STARBUCKS COMPARE?
I hope it won’t become the new hangout for CH young singles as well as the yuppie brigade. The hours it will be open at night make it seem likely.
finaly a starbucks in crown heights!!!
To #23 a liquor store is all same varieties…a milchig store and fleishig store are two different things!
Im very excited!! It should be matzliach!
love starbucks!
sound nice,but i can’t believe they are opening up right next door to a restaurant. No one can open a Liquor store on kingston but a sandwich place can open up right next door to another sandwich place.
I don’t get our community.
If they make a GOOD cappuccino, I’ll be there.
Something lacking in all of NY
what ever happened to Hasogas Gvul? The Rebbe was very makpid on that.
Now all the yubsters are voing to cross eastern pkway anx come to our midst and going around non tznius
WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME
There is enough for all.
CH residents still spend over 50% of their income out of CH.
if the stores give the consumer what they want and or need, there will be enough customers to go around and then some.
Dear Chocolatte
Thank you for investing in CH. May you have Much Hatzlacha.
Put some curtains unlike the other restaurants in CH so the customers can enjoy Privacy instead of every crown hightser poking the noise in the window to see who is there… and maybe have a couch or 2…
And free Wifi!! if you want to be “like” Starbucks…
Much Hatzlacha!
so excited to try it out
maybe they should have free wifi too 🙂
be good to up the ante a bit. if you notice sweet expressions is not kept clean anymore and their chocolates leave a lot to be desired. they are often stale.
Awesome logo
Hope they do well!
I love it! Great job!!!!!!!
Great idea. Loose the logo.
I don’t think the logo gives off the classy feel that starbucks brings.
Hatzlocha
will this place have wi fi?
behatzlacha!
Love the logo
1. There’s enough business to go around.
2. Which other dairy on the go in CH is open on such hours?
3. May the best one win
Can’t wait!
Pls don’t disappoint
If you want to attract those who go to Starbucks on 7th Ave., you must make sure that the environment and ambiance is conducive to students who need to study. That’s part of what makes Starbucks so loved. Students will sit for hours on end and buy more than a couple drinks but only if the shop has the right “feel” to it.
Where can I buy one of those cute mugs?
there’s no point of a coffee shop withought a good barrista!!! i hope they invest in a good one, with good service!!!!
is similar like the one on kINGSTON AND UNION?
Tzivos Hashem store back there
If they have the Clover machine, they have my business.
Nothing like starbucks!!!!!!!!!
what about the other stores on king ? it isn’t taking away business from them?
Watch the prices be sky high
it has the rite structure for such a business. it will be matzliach
ch desperately needs a good coffee shop
Thank you…i hope he is very matzliach finally a good coffee shop in ch with a good Hechsher