Meet Coffee Project New York in our latest installment of Make It! LIC. Join us on a look through their headquarters and roastery in LIC, home to New York’s first SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) campus, and learn more about their story in our conversation with co-founder and CEO, Chi Sum Ngai.
COFFEE PROJECT – FAST FACTS
Roastery & Cafe: 21-10 51st Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Cafe Locations: 7 (across Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan)
Opened in LIC: December 2019
Classes Hosted Annually: 100
Favorite Part of LIC: Diversity and Convenience
Website: Coffee Project NY
Long Island City Partnership: How did Coffee Project NY begin?
Chi Sum Ngai: Coffee Project NY opened in the East Village in 2015 when both of our co-founders quit their jobs to start a coffee shop together. It was a passion project serving neighborhood residents—the original tables and light fixtures were built by hand by our co-founders.
As Coffee Project New York grew into the local coffee scene, we dove into the NYC community with cupping events, latte art throwdowns, competitions, and classes. Our Long Island City space was designed to be, first and foremost, a gathering space for this international community of coffee lovers and industry professionals.
LICP: What led you to Long Island City? How long have you been operating here?
Sum: We opened our roastery and classroom space in LIC in December 2019. We came because we needed space to hold a coffee roasting operation as well as a fully equipped coffee lab. Our classroom has four working espresso machines—that’s a lot of counter space!
LICP: What is the Academy at Coffee Project LIC?
Sum: The Academy at Coffee Project New York is an education center for students of all types, from professionals to home enthusiasts. We teach both entry-level workshops in how to use an espresso machine and professional certification programs for aspiring roasters and Q Graders.
LICP: How has LICP and the LIC BID played a role in the growth of the Academy?
Sum: Both help with announcing new businesses around the neighborhood and open up the opportunity for local businesses to reach out to us for partnerships. It’s a win-win.
LICP: Where can people find your products?
Sum: You can book a class, shop our coffee catalog, start a subscription, or find our shop locations at coffeeprojectny.com.
LICP: Coffee Project is one of the leaders in the coffee industry. What sets you apart? Can you share any success stories of aspiring coffee shop owners after attending classes at the Academy?
Sum: We have coached and provided consultations to coffee shops nationwide but if we are talking about coffee shops that are closer to us, there is Coffee Check in Green Point, Saturn Road in Brooklyn, Lounge X at Great Neck and most recently, The Swing Club in Long Island. There are many students who ended up being our wholesale clients as well, if they do not open a coffee shop. Others included students who have gotten jobs at cafes or simply, just upping their coffee game at home.
LICP: What does sustainability mean to you? What do you look for when sourcing coffee?
Sum: Sustainability isn’t only about the environment (though obviously a fundamentally important part of sustainability)—it’s also about long-term supply chain health that keeps specialty coffee stable, affordable, delicious, and accessible for centuries to come. It’s about making coffee a viable job or vocation for everyone from farm workers to baristas and everyone between.
LICP: What is your favorite thing about LIC?
Sum: We love the diversity and convenience of LIC. It’s a great location for quick access to Manhattan while offering the space needed to roast coffee at a production scale.
LICP: Tell us the three most important things at the roastery.
Sum: The most important things in our roastery are employee and consumer safety, coffee consistency, and coffee quality.
LICP: Are there any new ventures coming up?
Sum: We’re currently building out a new location in the Upper East Side. That’s where the majority of our attention is focused right now!
