Villager, Brooklyn
In the vibrant Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, Ben and Courtney, the founders of Villager, have crafted a unique coffee haven that embodies warmth and hospitality.
Since opening in late 2021, this multi-roaster coffee shop has become a beloved spot for locals, fostering a community where everyone is treated like a friend.
With a friendly, small-village vibe, Villager is a place where conversations flow as freely as the coffee.
The journey to opening Villager was not without its challenges. After two years of searching for the perfect location, they stumbled upon a listing on Craigslist. It was a serendipitous find, especially during the pandemic when they had already invested years of savings into their dream.
Though they had no prior experience in running a business, Ben brought over a decade of coffee industry knowledge from Sydney, Australia. Their simple yet powerful formula—great hospitality paired with exceptional coffee—guided them through the uncertainty.
At Villager, the motivation to continually improve stems from their experiences, both as baristas and customers. They believe in treating everyone as they would like to be treated, which reflects in the quality of the products they offer.
Their ambition goes beyond just running a coffee shop; they aim to elevate the coffee community to new standards. Rather than franchising, they envision each location as a unique piece of art, complete with thoughtful layouts, inviting atmospheres, and, of course, outstanding coffee.
One of the things that keeps Ben and Courtney excited about their café is their dynamic menu, which is constantly evolving through collaborations with partners like us. They love the thrill of serving a variety of interesting offerings, making it hard to choose a favorite.
Recently, the Bom Jardim has been their go-to espresso, while the Potosi XO has become a standout on their pour-over menu. Their brewing parameters align closely with ours, making it easy to bring out the best in each coffee.
In July, we had the pleasure of featuring Villager for a bar takeover, where Esben, our founder, Liz, our wholesale and client relations associate, and John, our head roaster, were on hand to dial in coffees from our seasonal lineup to brew and share with their customers.
For the Potosi XO, they use an Origami setup with a 185 flat bottom Kalita filter.
The recipe is precise: 20 grams of medium-coarse ground coffee (EK11.5) at 203°F, with a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio. After a 45-second bloom, they pour four times, with a total brew time of about 3:00 to 3:15 minutes. The result?
A cup that not only highlights the unique flavors of the coffee but also educates customers about the fascinating XO fermentation process.
The importance of this rotating menu goes beyond just intrigue; it helps educate customers and expose them to the modern coffee experience.
By keeping things fresh and exciting, Villager continuously engages both its baristas and clientele, ensuring everyone is part of the journey toward discovering new flavors and brewing techniques.
