I first learned about Grounds Café by covering its opening stages for a news article. It is a café on Hughes Avenue, created by a Fordham-based organization called Her Migrant Hub, which aims to improve access to mental health care for immigrant women across New York City. The special and compelling part of this café is that it was created in partnership with a community group of women based at the Church of Mount Carmel called the Grupo de Mujerres Latinas (GML). The primary purpose of this café, which I learned through various interviews, is to support the women of the GML by providing them with a safe and empowering space, as well as to allow Fordham students to connect with the Bronx community.
When I first entered the café, I had just gotten out of an 8:30 a.m. Constitutional Law class, and was desperately in need of caffeine to get me through an assignment that I had due at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon (I know, poor planning on my part). Stressed and trying to keep my eyes open, I was greeted with the familiar smell of brewed coffee and two smiling faces standing behind the barista counter. As I approached the counter to take a look at the menu, I was welcomed by a very sweet “Hello, what can I get for you?” from a smiling woman who appeared to be about my age. Behind her was another woman, kindly smiling at me, who appeared eager to make me my much-needed coffee. The young woman who greeted me turned out to be a 20-year-old named Joana who explained the menu with the utmost precision and care. Joana walked me through both the food and drink menus, as my empty stomach started to rumble.
The drink menu consisted of many lattes, americanos, matchas, cappuccinos, various assortments of teas and a mint lemonade. In terms of food, they offered carrot cake, large or small conchas and a fudge oat cookie bar. I decided to go with my go-to, a vanilla latte, and I can say with certainty that it was one of the best lattes I have ever had (definitely better than any form of coffee I have gotten from Starbucks or Dunkin’). Deciding my food order took quite a bit of time and thinking, as all of the options looked equally appetizing. After a lot of contemplating, I decided to go with the fudge oat cookie bar, which I now know was the right decision.
When I bit into this oat bar, I could practically taste Willy Wonka’s candy shop; I wish I could find words to describe how truly incredible this pastry was. I soon learned that all of their pastries are hand made by the café’s operator, and I can only imagine how much time and dedication it takes for her to create such appetizing pastries.
After I paid for my food and drink, I found a table right next to the barista counter to sit at and study. I pulled out a very aesthetically-pleasing white chair that was stripped with thin gray-ish lines that created a beautiful pattern on the chair. Each table was decorated with small, clear vases filled with what appeared to be neon-green flower petals. These added a very nice touch to the scenery I was surrounded by while trying to complete my assignment. In addition to the flowers on my table, hanging on the wall in front of me were four posters of different women that contained writing in Spanish, which I unfortunately could not read. When I asked Joana about the meaning of these posters and their significance, she told me that they were posters that were in place as part of an explanation of the different stories of the women who worked there. One of the posters showed a woman holding a baby, and another showed a woman gardening. While I was completing my assignment, I kept looking up at each of the posters, inspired by the work of these women and their stories.
After a long time of studying at the café, I reluctantly began to pack up my stuff, knowing I had a class to get to. I did not want to leave the wonderful coffee smell, nor did I want to have to say goodbye to the inspirational women working behind the counter. While I was on my way to class, I noticed one more detail that caught my eye. On one of the counters, there was a suggestion box laid out where customers could suggest new additions to the menu. I felt that their menu was already equivalent to my dream coffee shop menu, so I did not put anything in the box. However, it was a testament to how dedicated these women are to provide each person who enters the café a welcoming and including space.
If you happen to be on Hughes Avenue or in the Belmont area, I strongly encourage you to check out Grounds Café and learn more about their story. Whether you’re desperately in need of caffeine or just want to find a space to study over a cup of coffee, this place will welcome you with open arms.
