The reinvention—or gentrification—of Bedford Stuyvesant is well on its way in 2013.
The quiet stretch of block on Dekalb Ave. between Bedford and Nostrand is dominated on one side by the Home Depot and the other by a surprisingly majestic Chase bank. But, on the other side of Bedford Ave., going towards Clinton Hill, things start to get interesting.
In addition to some new bars and businesses on those few blocks—including Colador Cafe, Dough and the fantastic wine store Bouchon—Brooklyn Kolache Co. is the first of the new wave of entrepreneurs and craftsman finding welcoming homes for their businesses in Bed-Stuy.
Opened in April 2012 by Autumn Stanford, an Austin native, the cafe has become a quick favorite for the Pratt students, freelancers and families who call Bed-Stuy home.
Kolaches, a Czech pastry popular in Texas due to the large Bohemian/Czech immigrant population there, can be sweet or savory and fall somewhere in the middle of a sweet bread and yeasty bun in taste and texture.
The Drift loves the sweet cheese and berry kolaches, as well as the jalepeno and cheddar ones for brunch. With a full espresso bar, teas and a beautiful, airy back room and back yard, Stanford hit the sweet spot with her gem of a cafe in this Brooklyn hood. Bonus: there is a beautiful abandoned church (blocked entrance on Bedford Ave.) visible from the back yard!
And even more reason to day drink in Brooklyn? The Brooklyn Kolache Co. is doing a special summer pop-up every Saturday at the new honky tonk bar in Williamsburg, Skinny Dennis. From noon to 3:45 p.m., you can listen to some Willie Nelson, drink Rolling Rock and try out a variety of kolaches to your heart's content.
We'll hopefully see you there!
