Nassau Avenue gained another coffee shop, giving Clever Blend some competition. Kaleidoscope Coffee (151B Nassau Ave.) opened on the Friday before the 4th of July.
“On the day we opened, it was quiet, but over the weekend, we got surprisingly busy,” said Adam, Kaleidoscope’s co-owner and Greenpoint local, who grew up in the neighborhood and went to school at P.S. 34, down the street from his shop.
Adam owns the coffeeshop with his friend, Elizabeth. He said the two have been planning their opening since March when Adam quit his job. “I’ve always wanted to be my own boss,” said Adam, who had been living in Montreal for the past five years, and recently moved back to Greenpoint.
Kaleidoscope is a quaint coffeeshop on a busy strip of Nassau Avenue. The shop has a takeout window, perfect for those on the go or coffee lovers with dogs. Adam explained that the store is not set up for dogs, and he knows that many Greenpointers own them, so the window is the perfect way for them to get a coffee quickly and continue walking their pets. There is even a water bowl and sign next to the window that reads “A treat for you and a treat for your pup.”
The window is also convenient if there is another COVID spike and locals don’t feel comfortable going indoors. “It makes it easy to pivot,” said Adam about the window. But for now, there are a few seats inside for those who want to sit down to enjoy their java.
Kaleidoscope sells traditional coffee and espresso drinks made with coffee from Sweetleaf. The shop sells a variety of pastries including croissants. Adam and Elizabeth want to keep the menu small and do not have plans to add larger items like sandwiches. Adam laughed and said that there are lots of awesome breakfast sandwiches in Greenpoint, and he has no interest in competing because he doubts he could make a better one. They will add decaf coffee and tea to the menu soon.
Kaleidoscope is open everyday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., making it one of the few coffeeshops open after 5 p.m.