Meet the women of The Elk, a coffee shop in the West Village of New York. The owner, Claire Chan took over the space four years ago, renovated, and reopened with her grand vision in mind.
“I became, somewhat fanatically, interested in coffee while I worked in fashion. Beyond the fact that it was an integral part of my morning routine/ritual, I wanted to build a community around the appreciation of great coffee. There are so many nuances involved in making coffee, many of which people are not aware of. I wanted to create a space where the coffee was both thoughtful and approachable, and where people felt comfortable and at home.” -Claire Chan, owner of The Elk
Claire, Christine, & Nona
“I’m a very hands-on type of person, so I’ll regularly hop behind the bar to dial-in the espresso or make a few drinks. Being a barista is actually really fun! I like being close to my product – I think it’s my way of ensuring consistency and quality-control.” -Claire Chan, owner of The Elk
“I feel so proud of the all women-run businesses I see popping up, especially right now. At a time where women’s rights and female empowerment is more relevant than ever, it is important to express your ideas and exercise your values so that others will be encouraged to do the same. There’s strength in numbers, and it feels amazing to surround yourself with like-minded and strong women!” -Claire Chan, owner of The Elk
“I love that I’m able to just be so connected to our customers through our coffee. For me, the day to day interactions I get to have with the people who come into the shop to start their day with us and really enjoy the drinks we make for them, is super rewarding.” -Christine of The Elk, a coffee shop in NYC
“My favorite coffee drink is our Bourbon Vanilla Cortado. Its a smaller 6oz sort of ‘mini latte.’ We home-make our syrup with real vanilla beans as well. I love to add a few drops of that to my espresso, it’s delicious!” -Christina
The next time you’re in New York, check out The Elk for yourself.
Crafted in Carhartt 