New, Internationally-Inspired Coffeeshop Opens in Hoboken

Although it has barely been two weeks, Bwe Kafe already has regular customers.

Bwe Kafe, which is being managed by brother-sister team Dale and Evan Ryan, opened two weeks ago at Tenth and Washington Streets.

With most of Hoboken's coffeeshops located downtown, Bwe Kafe is looking to fill the uptown need for caffeine between 5:30 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Part of the proceeds from Bwe Kafe — which means "to drink coffee" in Haitian Creole — will go toward non profits involved in re-building Haiti since the earthquake.

For example, said Dale, 26, the coffeeshop buys coffee from La Colombe, a company that uses coffeebeans from Haiti.

Dale and Evan's mother — who is also the landlord of the space — started the non profit Love for Haiti The proceeds from the coffeeshop, said Dale, will help keep that organization sustainable, Dale Ryan said.

Haitian influences can be seen all over the coffeeshop, from the art on the walls to the jewelry that's for sale toward the back of the shop, which was previously occupied by a hair salon.

But, the coffeeshop is still "a blank canvas," she continued. Other inspirations for the new business come from Asia — from the level of service in Tokyo to the restretto in a coffeeshop in Chiang Mai, Thailand — as well as Scandinavia.

It took the siblings about four months to open the shop, a time frame that included research and renovations.

As long time Hoboken residents — Evan, 23, was born in Hoboken — the siblings said they knew what Hoboken needed.

"We wanted to do something socially conscious," Dale said. A long table in the back is supposed to encourage people to meet each other and talk to each other.

Dale, a former wedding and event planner, said she wants the coffeeshop to be a "meaningful place."

To her and her brother, it already is.

"This is very much a family business," Dale said. "It's been very, very, rewarding."

While up and running with a steady stream of customers coming in at all hours of the day — "we're eager to serve," Dale said — there will be some additions to the coffeeshop in the near future.

While right now Bwe Kafe serves pastries, some food and yogurt, Dale said she is planning to expand the menu as well as organize events and workshops and open mic nights at the coffeeshop.

"We have a lot of plans in the works," she said.