There are New Jersey diners, there’s the New Jersey Turnpike, and of course, there are bagel shops all over the state where you can get Taylor ham/pork roll, egg, and cheese. Yet have you ever heard of a New Jersey-style coffee shop where “cawfee” isn’t just what a customer orders but is what actually appears on the menu? A new Garden State-centric chain is trying to put local “cawfee” on the map and is now about to expand into the state’s largest city.
Bada Bean Cawfee, which operated a location last summer along the Seaside Heights Boardwalk in Ocean County, is preparing to open its flagship store in the former New Jersey Bell Headquarters Building at 540 Broad Street in Downtown Newark. The building was recently adaptively reused into the Walker House development and includes several retail spaces. Bada Bean Cawfee is expected to occupy the space located at the corner of Broad and Lombardy Streets, according to a listing from Pierson Commercial Real Estate.
The menu at Bada Bean Cawfee is certainly unique, with drinks ranging from the “fugetaboutit” latte to the “witness protection iced cawfee” to “protein shake downs.” Meanwhile, the sizes for coffee cups are “soldier,” “capo,” and “boss.” There are desserts and bakery items on the menu as well, including donuts, cannolis, and crumb cakes.
The business is also preparing to open a location in Toms River. The Seaside Heights shop did not reopen this summer after there was reportedly a dispute involving its lease.
Located across from Washington Park, the building now known as Walker House was previously used as offices by Verizon. In addition to the offices and apartments on the upper floors, Walker House’s ground floor will include a rock climbing venue along with a brewery that is now being referred to as “Newark Local Beer.” A UPS Store location is planned for the ground floor as well, according to Pierson Commercial’s listing.
Bada Bean Cawfee will join several other coffee shops that have opened in Downtown Newark in recent years, including Starbucks, Black Swan Espresso, and the new Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea store.
