Konditori

Konditori is a small Swedish espresso bar located on 5th avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The coffee shop was established in 2010 and opened its first location on 5th avenue. Over the past few years 5th avenue has gone from a street in the undesirable part of Park Slope with few amenities, to a street bustling with hipsters and filled with restaurants, boutiques, cafes and bars on each block. The shop is owned by Per Inglander from Sweden and Ronny Kaj, from Brooklyn. Since its establishment only seven years ago, Konditori has expanded to seven different locations throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan.

I frequent the Park Slope location and I was able to visit over break. At my latest visit, I had a short conversation with one of the baristas, who said the shop has gone from a place people go to grab a quick cup of coffee, to a place where people often come to meet up with others. The original menu consisted of coffee items and pastries but has since added pressed juices and smoothies to better accommodate its customers. I initially visited the shop about five years ago and was intrigued because I had never been to a Swedish coffee shop. I continue to go for the prinsesstarta, a traditional Swedish cake which is nearly impossible to find in New York. Konditori is a perfect example of a global shop located on a gentrified shopping street.