Overflow Coffee, located at 46-36 Vernon Blvd in Long Island City, is redefining the local café experience by combining quality coffee with a strong commitment to community engagement.
Since its grand opening in October, the café has dedicated 5% of every sale to supporting the Renew Queens Community Center, which offers a wide range of events, classes, and programs for people of all ages.
Owners Chris Lee and Autumn Middleton had a clear vision for Overflow Coffee from the start. “A coffee shop could be a great place for good coffee and also a place where people can gather and have a sense of community,” said Middleton, who also serves as the director of Renew Queens. The idea for the café originated at Wellspring Church in Long Island City, where Lee and Middleton first met and shared a common goal of creating a coffee shop with a purpose. Middleton recalled, “When Chris had the idea, he was like, I don’t want just to open a coffee shop; I want there to be a mission and purpose behind it.”
Since opening, Overflow Coffee has become a hub for both coffee enthusiasts and local residents, supporting small businesses by sourcing pastries from Brooklyn’s Native Bread and Pastry, tea from Harney and Sons in Upstate New York, and crafting syrups in-house. “Our goal was to create a quality experience, make really good coffee, and invite people into the story of generosity,” said Lee.
Overflow’s partnership with the Renew Queens Community Center enables them to make a tangible impact. The center hosts creative arts programs, community festivals, and seasonal outreach events like a Christmas party for refugee families. The café’s mission of supporting local and fostering a sense of community perfectly aligns with the center’s work.
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Lee and Middleton are continually finding new ways to connect with their growing customer base. With plans for special drinks, like a Lunar New Year offering, the café continues to gain regulars and become an integral part of the neighborhood. “We’re just really grateful,” said Middleton. “Vernon Boulevard is such a staple in Long Island City, and we’re just so grateful to be so well received by the community. It’s been really beautiful to see people welcome us.”
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