NYC Import Gregorys Coffee Makes D.C. Debut Next Month

Gregorys Coffee, a burgeoning family-owned crop of coffee shops that helps keep Manhattan workers going, is about to help downtown D.C. also stay highly caffeinated.

Founded by 35-year-old Gregory Zamfotis in 2006, the brand has grown to 26 locations in New York and New Jersey. Next up is D.C. domination, with three new coffee shops coming next month.

The first location at 1900 L NW Street will feature 33 seats, vegetation as a decor, and a wide selection of coffee and non-coffee beverages including debut dairy-free mylks and a new signature drink dubbed My Cousin Vinny, with black tea and apple cider vinegar.

Gregorys roasts its coffee at its warehouse in Long Island City and plans to make frequent shipments to D.C.

There’s also pastries, donuts, and new breakfast sandwiches, including ham, egg, and cheese wrapped in a hot pizza-like crust:

Photo: Gregorys Coffee

Some New York-born food favorites making their way to D.C. include almond butter toast and gluten free and vegan peanut butter banana power bites.

The other two locations slated to open next month are at 1000 Vermont Avenue NW and 1147 20th Street NW—which will double as Gregorys' Coffee's central D.C. commissary for making baked goods.

The java business is very much a family affair; Gregory's father George heads up the food menu, overseeing all baking and food items, while his sister Kristin handles store build-outs, design, and marketing.

In the past two years, there has been a major influx of independent coffee shops opening in Washington. Other outside coffee operators expanding big time include San Francisco-based Philz Coffee, Philadelphia-born La Colombe, and Oakland-based Blue Bottle Coffee.