A new cafe serving an eclectic mix of sandwiches, salads, homemade pies, Greek pastries and more will debut in Long Island City in mid-October.
Terri Gloyd and Annie Tsantes, the owners of the new LIC Corner Cafe, have lived next door to each other since the late 1980s. Tsantes, who has worked at Italian restaurant Manducatis Rustica in LIC for many years, lives upstairs from the soon-to-be cafe at 21-03 45th Rd.
Her brother owns the building, and when a Filipino grocery store housed at the site suddenly moved out overnight two years ago, Gloyd and Tsantes teamed up to brainstorm ideas to fill the vacant space.
“I approached her because I had been staring at the place forever and she told me she’s interested and that’s how it started,” Gloyd said. “I can’t even begin to tell you. It’s been a dream come true for the both of us.”
Gloyd previously worked for a wholesale Belgian chocolate line and also worked in corporate sales at Dean & Deluca. Though Gloyd and Tsantes are still experimenting with the menu, they’re certain that they will serve Toby’s Estate coffee, a roaster located in Brooklyn.
The cafe will serve a full espresso menu, cold-pressed coffee and the duo is even thinking of serving Greek coffee brewed the old-fashioned way―water and coffee grounds are poured into a vessel and heated when submerged into hot sand.
“We have filters on our coffee maker, on our espresso and ice machine,” Gloyd said. “They’ll make things really clean and the coffee is excellent. The quality will be high.”
Patrons will be able to choose from three sandwiches, including a prosciutto and avocado sandwich, and the specials will change frequently. For breakfast, they plan to serve a broiled egg, prosciutto and greens sandwich as an option. Gloyd also said they’ll look to serve small baguettes with butter or sharp cheddar for under $5 for a cheap lunch and the “highest quality breads.” Spinach and cheese pies from bakery Artopolis, which has Zagat-rated locations in Astoria and the Upper West Side, will be available along with salads and soups.
Gloyd said customers will also find a plethora of options for under $1.50, including rolls with herbed butter for a quick snack or breakfast.
The site, which Gloyd described as “warm and welcoming,” will seat 18 people. The space is 12 feet wide with exposed brick walls, tiled floors and arched windows. Pendants that hang from the counter were a gift from the owner of the Manhattan cafe Once Upon a Tart.
Gloyd said that the partners will soon decide the opening date and that finishing touches are being put on the place including the delivery of the espresso machine and back counter.
“It sort of has an old-fashioned feeling to it but the bright colors make it kind of modern,” Gloyd said.
