Caroline Bell
Rockefeller Center, Manhattan
Every New Yorker has their coffee order and their coffee shop of choice. Greenpointers will remember fondly, Cafe Grumpy opened its first location on the corner of Meserole and Diamond back in 2005. Fast forward to today, there are now 11 locations across the city and the grumpy-albeit-cute face has become as Nike-swoosh synonymous with the brand and with great coffee. Founder Caroline Bell is proud of her women-owned business, especially in an industry as cut throat as coffee in New York City. They have been sourcing and roasting their coffee in house since 2009 and been following their motto ever sense - come in grumpy, leave happy. We sat down with Caroline for a quick brew last week.
Full name, age, where are you from?
Caroline Bell, 47, moved around a lot when I was growing up (born in Germany, lived in England, Netherlands, New Jersey) but now I live in Brooklyn, NY.
What is your title and where do you work?
Co-Owner/Co-Founder of Cafe Grumpy.
Was food a big part of your upbringing?
Tea time was a big part of growing up and then cups and cups of diner coffee.
I also waited tables for 8 years at various places.
What are your earliest memories of dining out?
Eating Ploughman's lunch sitting outside a pub in England with my parents and brother.
If you could give a piece of advice to someone who wanted to pursue your career, what
would it be?
Make sure you love whatever it is you are making/selling. I still love coffee and couldn’t live without it, which keeps me going on days when things at work are stressful.
What do you think working in this industry has taught you?
To be resilient and adaptable and to appreciate the little moments of calm and peace…with a cup of coffee hopefully.
What’s your favorite drink or dish on the menu?
If I am having it to stay, it would be our cappuccino - if it is to go, our brewed coffee (I always love how it gets sweeter as it cools).
What is your favorite place to go out and eat at and what are you ordering?
We cook at home most of the time, but if I go out, I like to check out plant-based restaurants - a recent favorite was Cadence.
You’re on a desert island, what are the 5 kitchen items you need to run your business?
Coffee grinder, pot for boiling water, French Press and a favorite mug or two.
