A Brooklyn coffee shop owner, Rachel Nieves, shared a TikTok video revealing her struggle with an impending closure due to a rent hike, sparking community support. The coffee shop, representing one of the few Puerto Rican businesses in Williamsburg, faces competition from a new cafe opening next door, compounding her difficulties. Her emotional recount of the challenges facing independent restaurants resonates with many who are feeling the pressure of rising costs and gentrification. The support culminated in a shoutout from singer Joe Jonas, boosting awareness of her plight.
This is gentrification," she says in the video, as she explains what is happening while crying.
Hearing this news today just now completely broke me. As a self funded small like true mom and pop business this news is scary...I just know God was holding my hand.
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