Dear BHA Members and Neighbors,

This week we welcomed Deploy Coffee to Brooklyn Heights. You may have seen the signature blue cart or had a chance to caffeinate yourself during a walk on the Promenade. The cart will be in the neighborhood on a temporary trial basis from 8am-3pm on Mondays and Tuesdays in November and December, and most likely next March and April weather permitting. 

The timing for this venture couldn't be more perfect as we approach Veterans Day. Deploy Coffee is founded and owned by Jimmy Lai, a ten-year OIF/OEF U.S. Veteran. Jimmy met his business partner, Danny Singh, while they were both stationed in Japan. When the pandemic hit, the two focused their energy and time on offering coffee that is both ethically sourced and organically grown.

We are proud to be working with Jimmy and Danny, who understand the challenges of transitioning to civilian life and hope that Deploy Coffee will help promote veteran entrepreneurship. Their cart was stationed on the Promenade this week, but in response to feedback from some in the neighborhood, we have asked Deploy to locate the cart next week at the intersection of Montague Terrace and Montague Street, and not on the Promenade itself. 

One of the things we heard a lot from this community during the pandemic is that the commercial and economic health of our community is closely tied to its social well-being. Like our other efforts during the pandemic – from launching Brooklyn Heights Together, which raised tens of thousands of dollars to help local service workers who were displaced from their jobs in the Heights, to our successful efforts to help bring great new businesses like Inga's Bar, L’Appartement 4F, and Books are Magic to the neighborhood, our goal with this project is to help build community and restore the vibrant energy of our business district and public spaces.

We hope you enjoy Deploy Coffee – and we welcome your feedback and ideas, now and throughout the duration of this pilot.