Urban Vintage

What do you get when an old bodega, once used as a last resort hangout spot falls into the hands of two determined sisters from Clinton Hill, Brooklyn? Simple. A neighborhood café elegantly designed with an eclectic mix of antique and contemporary furnishings. Emily and Elizabeth Hazelwood grew up across the street from the location of the now Urban Vintage café. They knew that a sense of unity was needed in their neighborhood, especially since it is an area where many students and homeowners reside. So, after combining their strong interest in vintage pieces and love for food with inspiration gathered from traveling to Europe, Morocco, and Turkey, an idea was born. 

The next step the sisters figured out was what type of café would be best to introduce in the neighborhood that would be accepted, reasonable, and affordable for all patrons. Elizabeth and Emily wanted to use their passion for antiques and eco-friendly products to turn the cafe into a place with two main functions; eating and purchasing beautiful antique items.  

During the beginning stages of opening the restaurant, the neighborhood residents helped to guide the girls on how to run a successful business. A café owner in Park Slope extended a generous invite to the sisters to work behind the counter at his café to observe how a business was run. Now that the café is officially open, locals have still approached Emily and Elizabeth with great ideas to offer that would possibly upgrade Urban Vintage cafe. In return of the initial support from the neighborhood residents, the sisters now support local artists in their own personal ventures. “Early Bird Granola” is a type of granola baked in Brooklyn, NY that is featured on the menu and is made with whole foods in four different varieties. In addition, other local artists in the area make greeting cards and hand knitted baby clothes to sell.

Urban Vintage café is now opened serving for breakfast and lunch with menu items that use as many organic ingredients as possible. Breakfast menu includes fresh Quiche, salads and waffles. No time for breakfast? Come in for some strongly brewed Fair Trade, family farmed Coffee from “Crop to Cup” in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Craving something sweet to start the day? You;ve found the perfect place. Urban Vintage serves tea lattes, chocolate mint lattes, Lavender tea, "Numi Organic", and "Stash teas" with agave nectar and natural sugars as natural sweetening options. They also serve afternoon tea.

Some items on the menu include: breads and croissants from “Balthazar's Bakery”, green tea cookies from "This Chic Bakes," and a variety of items from local bakeries that feature vegan and wheat-free products. The café also conveniently offers Wi-Fi for the occasional students and artists that drop by for some lunch with choices from different sandwiches, salads, and savory Sanoma chicken sweetened with tarragon, raisins, pecans and almonds.

So to re-cap, customers get to choose from a menu with a variety of affordable organic foods and drinks. Then afterward, can browse the mesmerizing collections of antiques and vintage items around the store that are still affordable and worthwhile at the same time. With all that this new café has to offer, some patrons may never have a reason to leave. “This neighborhood has a lot of needs,” the sisters said.  Well, they sure have a head start in filling them.