These café owners started a shop with credit cards and a $30,000 loan. They say it's worth it to run a business in NYC.
Ilia and Liliia Penzina's T.O.L.K. café in Bushwick blends art and coffee. Despite financial issues, they remain committed to their NYC business.
Ilia Penzin and Liliia Penzina, a couple from Russia, opened a café in Bushwick, NYC called T.O.L.K. in 2025. The café serves both coffee and local art, but the first year has been financially challenging. To fund startup costs, they moved in with roommates, took a $30,000 loan from family, and went into credit card debt. Despite this, they remain optimistic and encourage others to pursue their dreams.
The couple faces daily costs and a cash shortfall of about $900 a month, with an average of 24 checks per day generating $5,600 in net sales. They strive to be a community space for local artists and coffee lovers, offering affordable art displays and special drinks menus inspired by the exhibitions. Their dream is to expand their business in NYC, where they believe the business and cultural opportunities are unmatched.
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