Emma's Torch

- 10 Grand Army Plz 1st floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238

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## Introduction / Overview

Emma's Torch is a unique and vital establishment in the heart of Brooklyn, serving as much more than just a typical **Cafe** or **Coffee shop**. Located within the iconic Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) at Grand Army Plaza, this business operates as a non-profit social enterprise with a profound mission: **to empower refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through culinary education and job readiness training.** By choosing to dine here, New Yorkers are directly supporting a life-changing 11-week paid apprenticeship program that equips students with professional culinary and soft skills.

The cafe is a functioning classroom, where students hone their skills in a welcoming, real-world environment. It offers a core menu of high-quality coffee and house-made beverages, fresh pastries, and satisfying meals for **Breakfast** and **Lunch**. Patrons consistently highlight the quality of the **Great coffee** and the convenience of the location, particularly for **Solo dining** or for those spending the day reading or working at the library.

The menu includes essentials like **Latte** and **Espresso**, as well as unique house-made drinks such as **Hibiscus Iced Tea** and **Hawaij Hot Cocoa**. Food options range from affordable grab-and-go items like a **Bagel** or a **Buttermilk Biscuit with Preserves** to substantial lunch offerings like the **Chicken Caesar Wrap** and the specialty **Black-Eyed Pea Hummus Wrap**. Emma's Torch proudly identifies as **women-owned** and fosters an inclusive environment, being noted as **Family-friendly** and **LGBTQ+ friendly**.

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## Location and Accessibility

Emma's Torch is ideally situated at **10 Grand Army Plz 1st floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA**. This address places the cafe directly within the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, a historic and high-traffic landmark at the nexus of Prospect Heights and Park Slope. Its presence at Grand Army Plaza makes it a hub for locals, commuters, and library visitors alike.

The location offers excellent accessibility, which is paramount for a public-facing establishment:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance: Ensures that the cafe is easily accessible to all patrons, aligning with its public library location.

• Central Access: Located at Grand Army Plaza, it is at a major transportation node, accessible via multiple subway lines and bus routes.

• Seating and Amenities: Offers comfortable **Seating** within a **Casual** atmosphere, along with public amenities such as a **Restroom** and complimentary **Wi-Fi**, supporting both dining and extended study/work sessions.

This prime location within the library reinforces the cafe’s mission, embedding it in a community space dedicated to education and growth.

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## Services Offered

Emma's Torch provides a streamlined set of services focused on quality and convenience, essential for a busy New York City cafe environment.

• Dine-in: Provides a relaxed space within the library for enjoying meals and beverages, perfect for studying or meeting.

• Takeout: The fastest option for grabbing a coffee and a quick bite on the way to work or while visiting the plaza.

• Full Cafe Menu: Serving a range of **Coffee**, **Espresso**, **Latte**, **Tea**, and **House-Made Drinks** throughout the day.

• Dining Services: Available for **Breakfast** and **Lunch**, offering **Quick bite** options, **Dessert** (various pastries), and heartier meals (wraps and soup/salads).

• Catering: Offers full-service **Catering** through its social enterprise model, extending their reach to events and larger gatherings while providing further training opportunities for students.

• Free Amenities: Provides **Wi-Fi** and a **Restroom**, enhancing the cafe’s appeal as a work or study destination.

• Payment Flexibility: Accepts all major **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments** for quick and easy transactions.

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## Features / Highlights

The true value proposition of Emma's Torch extends far beyond its delicious menu, lying primarily in its powerful social mission and the quality of its student-driven offerings.

• Non-Profit Social Enterprise Mission: The primary highlight is its unique business model. Emma’s Torch is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an 11-week, **paid culinary training program** to refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking, empowering them for careers in the food industry. Dining here is "Dine with Purpose."

• High-Quality Training and Impact: The cafe acts as a practical classroom, giving students hands-on experience in customer service and food preparation. Graduates of the program often see a substantial increase in their projected annual income, moving towards financial stability.

• Strategic BPL Location: Operating within the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library offers students valuable exposure to a diverse and supportive community, as well as access to the Library's free educational resources, such as English classes.

• Menu Highlights and Value: Offers staples like **Great coffee** and espresso drinks, alongside specialty, affordably-priced house-made items like the **Hawaij Hot Cocoa** and the **Buttermilk Biscuit with Preserves** ($4.00). The lunch wraps are also a popular and inexpensive option for a satisfying meal.

• Welcoming and Inclusive Space: The cafe is certified as **women-owned** and is explicitly noted as **Family-friendly** and **LGBTQ+ friendly**, cultivating a safe and welcoming environment for all New Yorkers.

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## Contact Information

To contact the Emma's Torch cafe at the Brooklyn Public Library or inquire about their mission, please use the following information.

Address:

10 Grand Army Plz 1st floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA

Phone:

(718) 243-1222

Mobile Phone:

+1 718-243-1222

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## What is Worth Choosing

Emma's Torch is unequivocally a choice that offers both high-quality products and deep societal value. For New Yorkers, choosing this cafe is a simple yet powerful way to contribute positively to the local community while fulfilling daily needs for great coffee and food. It is worth choosing for several compelling reasons.

### Social Impact with Every Purchase

The most significant factor that sets Emma's Torch apart is its status as a non-profit social enterprise. Every **Coffee** ($3.25 - $4.25), **Breakfast Wrap** ($9.00), or **Catering** order directly funds the **paid culinary training and job placement services** for refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking. The cafe’s motto is effectively "Dine with Purpose." When a New Yorker grabs a **Latte** or an **Apple Butter Turnover**, they are providing a student with a living wage, professional training, and the confidence to start a new, self-sufficient life in the United States. Choosing Emma's Torch means turning a mundane purchase into an act of direct, measurable community support.

### High-Quality Products in a Unique Location

Beyond the mission, the quality of the cafe itself is a major draw. Located within the magnificent Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza, the cafe is situated in a **Casual** yet significant setting. The **Great coffee** and expertly prepared espresso drinks (such as the **Cortado** and **Cappuccino**), often prepared by students themselves, meet the high standards of a discerning New York clientele. The menu is thoughtfully designed to offer both simple, classic cafe fare and house-made specialties like **Hawaij Hot Cocoa**, ensuring a diverse and delicious experience. Furthermore, the provision of **Wi-Fi** and comfortable **Seating** makes it an excellent, low-cost alternative to traditional coffee shops for those who need a reliable workspace.

### Essential Convenience for the Community

The cafe fills a crucial niche in the Grand Army Plaza area, offering easy access to affordable, wholesome **Breakfast** and **Lunch** options. The convenience of **Takeout** and the accessibility of its location within the library make it a perfect, predictable stop for locals and those using the library's resources. While a single negative review about a small charge for hot water exists, the overall positive mission and the practical benefits—including a **Kids' menu** and general **Family-friendly** atmosphere—firmly establish Emma's Torch as a beloved and necessary fixture for the Brooklyn community.

Emma's Torch

10 Grand Army Plz 1st floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA