Founders Blog #5- Why Greenfield?

On April 14th, several friends from different parts of my life texted me a picture of this post from the East End Community Connect Facebook Group.

Two weeks ago, I met with Kristopher Olson, a Greenfield Community Association (GCA) Board Member, and one of the founders of the business committee. The GCA is a neighborhood non profit and community organization that puts on several neighborhood events, supports the local PTA, and connects with and promotes the local businesses.

Kris was extremely warm and lovely to share lunch with, and he is personally excited about our project. As a fellow Greenfielder, he too wants a new place to gather and get a cup of coffee. He also told me that the GCA puts out regular community surveys, and that a coffee shop is consistently the number one thing people mention.

In fact, according to both the 2023 and 2024 community surveys, a coffeeshop/cafe was the #1 most requested business or service. In 2024, 61% of respondents mentioned a coffee shop or cafe, 9% asked for a bakery, and another 7% specifically mentioned a “third place” more generally. The respondents specifically mentioned that any new businesses must have family friendliness and dietary options- including kashrut, as “must haves” for any new business to succeed.

Good news everybody! We want to give the people what they want!

Being a part of the neighborhood is part of what attracts me to putting a coffee shop in Greenfield. Both Rabbi Mark and I live here. Personally, I am excited to get to know my neighbors in a new way- through getting to know the other small businesses and being a place that people drop in, become regulars, and sit for a while.

Can’t wait to see you there!