If your morning coffee comes from a locally owned café instead of a drive through, you are in good company in New York. Just in time for National Coffee Day today, September 29th, a new study found New York is one of the top states in the country where independent coffee shops are doing well. The study from small business platform Homebase ranked New York No. 5 out of all 50 states.
Thousands of Local Coffee Shops Across New York
New York has 3,487 local coffee shops, according to the study. That works out to nearly 18 shops for every 100,000 people in the state. From a small café in the Southern Tier to a neighborhood coffee shop in New York City, these businesses give people a place to meet, catch up with friends, or grab a cup of coffee on the way to work. They also help support local owners.
Coffee Shop Jobs Are Growing
The study found the number of people working at New York’s local coffee shops grew by almost 10 percent from 2024 to 2025. While big chains are still part of daily life, local coffee shops continue to give customers something more personal.
Why Local Coffee Shops Matter
A local coffee shop is more than a place to get caffeine. It’s a meeting spot, a place to study, a quiet place to work, or somewhere they already know your order. New York was behind Washington, Alaska, California, and Ohio in the Homebase study.
Local coffee shops in New York are thriving, employing nearly 10 percent more people this year while offering personal service chain stores can’t match.
Tell Us What You Put in Your Coffee and We’ll Describe Your Personality
Did you know that what you add or don’t add to your morning coffee speaks volumes about your inner self? See if these coffee drinker profiles don’t match up exactly with the personalities of people that you know. These observations might help you to understand people you’re meeting for the first time as well.
13 Reasons Why (in Moderation) Coffee Is Actually Really Great for You
Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor