URGENT UPDATE: After a battle for their coffee cart’s location, brothers Adrian and Catalin Manmanole are back in business on the Upper West Side. The beloved coffee vendors returned to their original spot at 66 St and Columbus just 24 hours after being displaced by construction-related changes.
The Manmanole brothers, who have served coffee and breakfast to New Yorkers for nearly 30 years, faced an unexpected challenge when concrete flower planters were placed in front of their cart, effectively marking it illegal for them to operate. The brothers were forced to relocate down the street, impacting their business significantly. “This spot is too far from the corner, too far from the subway, too far from everything. It’s killing my business, we make not even half,” Catalin lamented.
After reaching out to 7 On Your Side, the situation caught the attention of city officials. The NYC Department of Transportation confirmed that they do not support actions that displace legally operating vendors, especially those favored by the local community. “The food is fresh, everything’s perfect,” praised a loyal customer. “Where do you see that in New York anymore? He’s an immigrant, he works hard, he pays taxes.”
In a swift turn of events, 2 Lincoln Square, the building owners responsible for the changes, were reminded of city regulations regarding vendor displacement. Following this intervention, they agreed to move the flower planters, allowing the brothers to reclaim their prime location. Within 24 hours, the coffee cart was back in its rightful spot, much to the delight of their customers.
“I was missing them, I didn’t know where they went, I finally found them,”
said a postal worker who frequents the cart. The Manmanole brothers expressed their gratitude, stating, “Definitely 7 is on our side, thank you.”
This victory highlights the importance of small businesses in the community and the positive impact they have on local residents. As they resume serving their loyal customer base, the brothers are a testament to resilience and the power of community support.
Stay tuned for more updates on local small businesses and community stories that matter!
