Dear Mama Coffee, a Harlem-based espresso, cocktail, wine bar and eatery, has signed a lease in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center at Columbia University’s new Manhattanville campus.
The outlet joins Steep Rock Bouldering, a Community Wellness Center, an interactive installation about brain research and an Education Lab as part of the civic and retail spaces that define the street-level experience of the campus.
The signing establishes the second outpost of Dear Mama Coffee, joining the flagship East Harlem location, and is consistent with the University’s approach to its retail tenants, which favors local businesses that bring a variety of amenities and experiences to the diverse Columbia community, the wider local community and visitors.
“Dear Mama Coffee brings another high-quality business to the neighborhood, and with it, a day-to-night establishment that will add more activity and services to the new campus and community,” said David M. Greenberg, executive vice president of Columbia University Facilities and Operations.
“With art exhibitions, music, events, community fundraisers and more, Dear Mama Coffee will be a place of engagement and a true neighborhood venue.”
“Dear Mama Coffee serves as a gathering spot for the local community to nourish the heart, soul and belly,” said Zachary Sharaga, CEO and founder of Dear Mama Coffee.
“Along with a full food menu, coffee and specialty drinks, it is a platform for people to converge and inspire one another, discuss the issues of the day, admire local art and share music.
“The large space in Manhattanville will allow for a wide variety of events, including listening parties for local artists introducing new albums, fundraisers for causes important to the community, open mic nights for musicians and poets, book readings and much more.”
Dear Mama Coffee will occupy 4,700 s/f on the ground floor and mezzanine levels in the southwest portion of the Jerome L. Greene Science Center.
Winick Realty Group represented both the tenant and owner in the retail lease transaction, with Cary Fabrikant and Yoel Gorjian representing Dear Mama Coffee, and Kenneth Hochhauser and Kelly Gedinsky representing Columbia.
At street level, the buildings throughout Columbia’s new Manhattanville campus will be transparent in design, open to the public and programmed to engage the Columbia community and community-at-large.
The first open space to be completed on the new campus, the Small Square offers an informal, 10,000 s/f outdoor plaza with seating areas and free Wi-Fi.
The largest academic building ever constructed by Columbia University, the Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides 450,000 s/f of space for the neuroscience researchers of the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute.
