D'Amico's New Neighbors Have Apparent Problem With Coffee Smell

For the last 64 years, D’Amico Foods have been roasting coffee beans inside of their shop at 309 Court Street, but Pardon Me For Asking reports that an anonymous neighbor recently called 311 to complain about the coffee smell – prompting a visiting from the Department of Environmental Protection.

The owners, Joan and Frank D’Amico, retorted by posting the following sign in their window, said the blog:

“To all our neighbors: For those of you who are new to the neighborhood, D'Amico's has been in business since 1948. We have been roasting coffee almost as long.  We understand that not all people like the smell of roasting coffee. This is our business. If you have concerns with our roasting schedule, please, we invite you to come and talk to us.  We hope we can work together to solve this issue.  Thank you.”

According to Gothamist, the DEP found that D’Amico Food didn’t have an afterburner installed, which helps to reduce the smoke and smell from the roasting process.

Since the shop was roasting beans before that technology even existed, Frank D’Amico told Gothamist "we thought we were grandfathered in." And although he is still waiting to hear back from the DEP about what they need to comply with, he says that they plan to install an afterburner, no matter what, says the blog.

"It used to be people would come in and talk to the owners of stores if they had a problem," D'Amico told Gothamist. "Now people are too busy, they just call up 311 complain.”