For the last three years, the storefront on the corner of Ketcham Street at 86-33 Whitney Avenue, has held a couple of banners reading Opening Soon, attached to a beige sign: Royale Corner Café. As the weeks, months, and now years have passed, the spot has become more of a curiosity, rather than a tangible business with any expectancy to open. Now, with recent activity inside, I entered the nondescript tiny establishment, and was told they plan to have a soft opening on Monday, September the 29th.
The ownership is from Nepal, as well as the manager Ashish I spoke with. He contends the owner had a lot of planning involved. “We took this place three years ago. This kind of business is totally new for the owner. Researching and doing surveys on what different coffees to present, and setting up took time,” said Ashish. “Basically, NY is a diverse space, this is a Spanish, Nepali, Chinese community so we focused on everything, for example specialty coffees like Peruvian,” he continued.
As I looked around at the smallish blank space, void of decoration, I inquired about seating, and what else they planned to offer. “There are two seats on one side, one on the other, and we can put four seats outside,” said Ashish. “We’re going to have pastries like almond croissants, and soon we will add bubble tea. We’re still connecting electrical set up for a register and internet service,” I wished Ashish good luck on this venture, adding that I’m heading to KNA Deli diagonally across Whitney for bacon and egg and coffee, and that over there the menu is comprehensive. “That’s where I got my coffee too,” replied Ashish lifting up his cup as if to toast.
James is the Vice President of the Newtown Civic Association, the Elmhurst Memorial League, and Elmhurst History and Cemeteries Preservation Society.
