Located in the basement of a brownstone at the corner of Bergen and Duncan Avenues, a new café in Jersey City is hidden in plain sight. However, the business in McGinley Square near the West Side is already seeing plenty of customers come inside.
Owned by longtime neighborhood residents Federico Rodriguez and Michele Boas, Crema has been open for around a month in the former Harry Street Coffee space. The business, which is open daily, is part coffee shop and part ice cream parlor.
“In terms of ice cream places, this is the only one here,” said Rodriguez, a former professional photographer who tells Jersey Digs that he was motivated to open a family-friendly business after seeing a void in the neighborhood for such establishments.
Currently, there are 13 flavors of ice cream available, all of which come from an Amish farm in Pennsylvania. The menu also includes coffee, tea, bagels, toast, sandwiches, root beer floats, and gluten-free items.
Rodriguez explained that he designed Crema to be like a “second home” for his children. The space offers free wifi for customers and even includes a play area for kids.
Although Crema is currently open until 7:00 p.m., Rodriguez says that he might extend the café’s hours during the summer months.
“The neighborhood is very happy to have a place to go, especially with kids,” he added.
