Brooklyn Heights coffee sippers and laptop lovers rejoice! Vineapple — a cozy community café — opened this week on Pineapple Street, bringing a jolt of caffeine to the otherwise sleepy area.
“When I first moved to the area as a college student in 2004, there was nothing like this,” said owner, Pooja Raj. “I always had to travel to different areas, like Cobble Hill or Carroll Gardens, if I wanted to relax with a coffee, work on a paper, or hang out with friends.”
She imagines her new space as a living room for the neighborhood, with comfy couches, local art on the walls, a lending library, and books and chalkboards for kids.
A selection of goodies from Pickle Petunia Bakery — such as scones, muffins, bagels, quiche and whoopie pies — will be available, as well as Stumptown coffee, Harney and Sons tea, cold drinks, and a small selection of wine and beer.
“We already have so many ideas of what we’d like to do here; poetry readings, gallery showings, game nights,” said Raj. “But for now, we just want to be a place where people feel welcome, where the vibe is good, where there are no rules. Yes, you can bring your kids, yes, you can work here on your laptop. We’re all about creating a feeling of community.”
Vineapple [71 Pineapple St. between Henry and Hicks Streets in Brooklyn Heights, (347)799-1701]. Open Monday–Friday, 7 am-6 pm; and weekends, 8 am-6 pm.
