The Much Larger ‘Kopitiam’ Takes Shape on East Broadway
The acclaimed Malaysian cafe Kopitiam is making strides toward its revival within the next couple weeks. Contractors are currently busy building out the new location at 151 East Broadway.
One thing is for sure – this storefront offers more space and an expanded menu. The ground-floor is four times larger than the original Canal Street location, and offers 35 seats plus an enclosed hallway entrance and takeaway window of sorts at the top of the stairs. Kopitiam 2.0 is a Malaysian eatery that will serve an all-day breakfast and lunch menus alongside booze options (pending SLA approval).
Initial target re-launch was May, but it’s been pushed back to sometime later this month. And they’re now holding interviews for new employees.
Kopitiam is not new to the neighborhood. It began life on the Lower East Side in 2015 at 51 Canal Street. However, their two-year lease expired at the end of 2017, and the landlord reportedly jacked the rent. A purported 25% increase that Kopitiam could not absorb. (Prior real estate listings noted the monthly dole at around $3,000.) So, chef-owner Kyo Pang instead decided on relocating to this larger locale. To continue on and aid in the “expansion,” the business kickstarted a crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo, yet found a new business partner when it failed.
Canal St, September 2017
Recent Stories
Forgtmenot Family Remodels and Reopens Sherman’s on Division Street
For the last several months, Sherman’s on Division Street had favored its popular catering over serving the in-store crowd. But all that recently changed. Three months of interior remodeling resulted in a reboot that just launched last night. You’ll recall that the crew behind Forgtmenot opened Sherman’s – named for the longtime shoe store it […]
Sir Shadow’s ‘One-Line’ Gallery Show on the Bowery
Sir Shadow, prolific artist and one of the last living souls in the Whitehouse SRO on the Bowery, is currently showcasing his unique one-line artwork (aka “flowetry”) at a gallery exhibit this week. The event kicked off this past Tuesday at 222 Bowery, the onetime YMCA building colloquially known as “The Bunker.” Sir Shadow will […]
Vinny Vella, Actor and Pulse of Little Italy, Dies at 72
Who’s better than you? Vinny, that’s Who. Little Italy residents this week are mourning the loss of Vinny Vella. The local legend, and character actor, died of complications from liver cancer on Wednesday (February 20) at the age of 72. He is survived by his wife Margaret-Anne, and his children Benjamin and Anthony Hernandez, Lauren […]
‘Leekan Designs’ to Shutter Next Month After 3 Decades of Selling the Unique
After three decades peddling unique antiques to SoHo, and most recently, the Lower East Side, Leekan Designs is hanging it up. According to an announcement from the store earlier this week, the store at 4 Rivington Street will fold on March 3. Since the early 1980s, the business has traded in antique and contemporary (oftentimes […]
Essex Crossing KO’s Delancey Street Subway Entrance
Beginning next week, straphangers will do without the southeast entrance to the Delancey Street subway station (at Essex). The temporary closure is due to subterranean construction for Essex Crossing. According to the community notice posted to the stairwell by Site 2 contractor T.G. Nickel, access is restricted for 95 days starting February 27. The three-month […]
