To all the welcoming coffee shops, thank you for your wifi!

Bagels and flowers on Nostrand Ave. Photo by Ximena del Cerro

547 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Sep 12, 2025

Dear Louise and Chuck,

I’m holed up in a very low-key Zen coffee shop right off one crazy cross street in Crown Heights; the contrast is wack. You wouldn’t think the spot is much of a looker at first because of the chaos that surrounded it, but after a good look, idk. It has exposed brick, fresh flowers, weird succulents someone forgot to water against the window, and a barista who pronounces “croissant” with too much confidence. I got a sesame bagel with scallion cream cheese. It's pretty delicious, but for a full-on bagel joint, I gotta stick to Bagel Pub, myself. Coffee here is $6 (yep 🤷🏾‍♂), strong, slightly bitter, perfect for working just like Dad.

My internship is going great, but I heard from a coworker who was trying to be helpful that they are trying to lay recent hires off, so the chances of them hiring me are low.

All this makes me think —should I use my time today to write cover letters or should I pursue my own project? Is this café my next office? Could this bagel-coffee morning become the default? Honestly, those thoughts excite me. I just heard about a city-funded Founder Fellowship and a New York StartUP Business Plan Competition. Those might help, who knows.

Outside, the city noises compete. Through the grates on the sidewalk, I hear the A and C trains rumble past every few minutes. Above, the LIRR rides over our heads, the loudest, shrill percussion we have to surrender to while waiting right in the middle of an avenue. I’m never too far from motion here.

Crown Heights, Brooklyn, 2025. Photo by Ximena Del Cerro

Not in here, though. The time stops for a second. The people, laptops, bagels and flowers.

I’m looking forward to your visit. My roommate promised to clean his part of the apartment sometime this week or next. 

How are things back home?

Gonna dive into work now. Love you both.
– Resilient son

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