Cafe Radar Weekly: New Openings, Global Buzz & Coffee's Impact

New Cafes & Openings

Get ready to explore! This week saw a flurry of new cafe announcements. In New Jersey, a cult-favorite specialty coffee chain is opening its first Garden State location at a major mall (NJ.com). Meanwhile, Blue Bottle Coffee is also making its New Jersey debut, with its first cafe opening in Paramus (Patch).

Chicago's coffee scene is heating up with "Café Jon" described as the city's snazziest new spot (Eater Chicago). Over in Portland, a bakery has taken over the former Cafe Prince and Lady of the House spaces (Detroit Free Press). And in Raleigh, a new concept is coming to downtown (WRAL).

Further afield, Lisbon's MAS Specialty Coffee & Brunch is highlighted as a must-visit spot (theportugalnews.com). In Salem, a new cafe is set to open, featuring "croffles" (Statesman Journal). For those in Green Bay, the Mulva Cultural Center now boasts a cafe serving Belgian treats (Green Bay Press-Gazette). And in Silicon Valley, a laid-off tech worker has opened the area's first Indonesian coffee shop (KRON4).

Roaster News

Pittsburgh's La Prima Espresso Company is celebrating its upcoming 38th anniversary with an expanded roastery and new retail packaging (Daily Coffee News). This expansion signals a "second wind" for the beloved local roaster.

Industry Trends

The coffee world is always buzzing with new ideas. In Brooklyn, Variety Coffee Roasters has opened a new location (Sprudge). Meanwhile, a new guest post on Sprudge discusses the potential for a "coffee shop shakeout" on Manhattan's Upper West Side, suggesting market saturation might be a concern (iLovetheUpperWestSide.com).

For those interested in the broader impact of coffee, a new study suggests that coffee's effect on Parkinson's Disease might be influenced by individual genetics (Sprudge). And for the deal hunters, The Points Guy is comparing loyalty programs from major players like Starbucks, Dunkin', and Dutch Bros (The Points Guy).

Awards & Competitions

Seattle is once again being recognized as the "Coffee Capital of the United States" with a feature in Condé Nast Traveler highlighting 10 top coffee shops (Condé Nast Traveler). In other news, a Radcliffe coffee shop owner has been nominated for a national award after saving a man's life (The Bury Times). Meanwhile, an award-winning cafe in Bracknell is navigating objections to alcohol sales (Bracknell News).

Bubble Tea & Boba

Bubble tea continues its expansion. OMG Bubble Tea is switching to Greiner K3 cups (Yahoo Finance). In Chicago's Chinatown, international chains are making waves, leading to mixed reactions from local businesses (WTTW).

Brunch Spots

MAS Specialty Coffee & Brunch in Lisbon is getting a shout-out this week for its appealing combination of coffee and brunch offerings (theportugalnews.com).

Sustainability

Reysol Coffee has launched a relief fund to support those affected by the recent earthquake in Colombia (Daily Coffee News). This initiative highlights the industry's capacity for solidarity. Also, a new study is challenging previous beliefs about Robusta's climate resilience compared to other coffee varieties (Barista Magazine).

That's all for this week. Stay caffeinated!