Popular Crown Heights Cafe 'Daughter' Expanding Into Bar Service

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Neighbors who have enjoyed a popular new cafe on St. Johns Place this year will soon be able to stop by the establishment for an evening glass of beer or wine.

Daughter, a cafe that opened in April, has gotten the support of Community Board 8's SLA Sidewalk Cafe Review Committee to begin offering beer and wine from its storefront near the Kingston Avenue corner.

The committee voted nearly unanimously on Monday to support the business' application for a liquor license, which will ultimately be decided by the State Liquor Authority.

The license will bring evening hours, a menu of small plates and wine and beer options to the cafe, which was named among the "most anticipated restaurants" that opened in New York City this year.

"They opened up in the midst of COVID and have done this beautifully," their attorney, Michael James, told the committee. "...They hope to add wine and their customers agree."

About 60 customers have signed onto a petition supporting Daughter's expansion into becoming a wine bar, which has been part of the business' plans since first launching a Kickstarter campaignlast year.

Daughter officially opened as a coffee shop in April of this year. It is run by three baristas — Brian Stoothoff, Sarah Elisabeth Huggins and Adam Keita — and currently sells prepared food, in-house baked goods and coffee.

The cafe has made headlines in particular for its philanthropic goals, including a free "family meal" each afternoon, 10 percent of its monthly proceeds heading to charities and 20 percent of its yearly profits going to a local resident in need of start-up funding.

With the new liquor license, wine and beer will be available at the tables and couch area inside, as well as three tables that make up the eatery's outdoor seating. Monday's vote to support the license is under the condition that Daughter confirms the outdoor seating is within its property line or apply for a sidewalk cafe license.

Under the new hours, diners can stop by for a glass of wine between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday and Friday or 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The license will head to Community Board 8's general meeting next.

Find out more about Daughter here.