25-11 Astoria Blvd
June 25, 2018 By Tara Law
An Astoria family is opening an upscale coffee shop on Astoria Boulevard next month.
Higher Grounds at 25-11 Astoria Blvd. will serve La Colombe coffee, grab-and-go lunches and a variety of dessert options. The space is the former location of Le Frape, a creperie.
The coffee shop will be owned by Michael and Karen Ferguson along with their daughter, Caitlyn.
Caitlyn said that the inspiration for the coffee shop came in part from her passion for making coffee.
Caitlyn worked as a barista for four years, and had been hoping to open her own place. Her father had always wanted to open a business in the neighborhood, so the pair decided to bring their two dreams together, Caitlyn said.
“I really enjoy making coffee, but working for someone else isn’t the same. Now I’m going to make coffee for my own business,” Caitlyn said.
The coffee shop will offer a full coffee and espresso menu— including La Colombe ice coffee on tap. Healthy lunch and breakfast options will be available, including gourmet sandwiches, yogurt, fresh juice and smoothies.
The eatery will also offer more indulgent options such as People’s Pops ice pops, Melt Bakery ice cream sandwiches and Hershey’s ice cream.
The Ferguson family hopes that the coffee shop can become a destination for the neighborhood. The shop plans to host small musical events, Caitlyn said, and local artists will be invited to display their work on the walls.
The cafe will have plenty of seating–including countertop seating as well as seating at tables and benches.
The shop will also feature a garage-door style window that can be opened depending on the weather.
Michael Ferguson said that he’s happy to be opening in Astoria.
“I want to build a future here,” Ferguson said. “We always wanted to do something like this.”
