Sote Coffee Roasters is Brewing on the Upper West Side

A new locally-owned coffee shop is currently under construction on the Upper West Side. Sote Coffee Roasters is owned by husband-and-wife duo Besa Bislimi and Arber Beqiri . They both have eight years of experience working in the hospitality industry. Drinking coffee was an integral part of their lives growing up in Albania, and now they are opening their own coffee shop to continue on with the tradition.

What Now NY was in touch with Bislimi over email to learn more about the plans for Sote Coffee Roasters.

“Our mission is to create a welcoming ‘third place’ where people can relax, connect, and feel at home,” wrote Bislimi. “Whether you’re an early morning commuter grabbing a quick cup, a runner looking for the perfect pit stop, or meeting a friend for a cozy afternoon chat, we want Sote to be a warm, inviting space for everyone.”

Sote Coffee Roaster’s name ties back to the owners’ Albanian heritage. ‘Sote’ was the nickname Bislimi’s siblings gave her growing up. The word translates to mean ‘today’ in English, reflecting the business’ mission to encourage people to live in the moment and enjoy little pleasures everyday.

“We carefully select beans from specific farms and micro-lots in Colombia, working closely with farmers who share our commitment to quality and sustainability,” Bislimi wrote in an email Q&A. “In addition to our Colombian offerings, we will also be introducing special pour-over selections from other coffee-growing regions around the world. By roasting these beans ourselves, we ensure that each cup captures the rich, vibrant flavors that reflect our passion for coffee, our goal is to offer a coffee experience that is both unique and memorable.”

Inside there will be seating for up to 20 guests at a time. While the design plans are still being finalized, visitors to Sote Coffee Roasters can expect the place to have a cozy, welcoming environment. As Bislimi and Beqiri want the space to feel like a microcosm of the community at-large, they plan to display local artists’ works on the walls. Traded NY notes that space is 500 square feet.

“We fell in love with the Upper West Side when we moved to New York City eight years ago,” Bislimi continued. “The neighborhood’s beautiful architecture, vibrant community, and proximity to Central Park make it a perfect fit for our vision. We believe the Upper West Side’s appreciation for quality and its strong sense of community align perfectly with what we aim to offer at Sote Coffee Roasters.”

Sote Coffee Roasters is aiming for an early fall opening.

Keep up with What Now New York’s restaurant, retail, and real estate scoop by subscribing to our newsletter , liking us on Facebook , and following us on Twitter . Opening a restaurant? Browse our Preferred Partners .