Karmic Grind opens in Oyster Bay

The first Karmic Grind, a chic cafe with pastel-colored merch that asks patrons to "grind & be kind," opened seven years ago in Locust Valley. Partners Regina Smith, a former yoga studio owner, and Alicia Zarou Scanlon, a former restaurateur and art dealer, have teamed up to open a second outpost on Pine Hollow Road in Oyster Bay.

The large, white, sun-drenched space, outfitted with subtle art and windowed garage doors that open up in warmer weather, entices guests to slow down, sit and savor as they sip. It also expands the reach of fair-trade Colombian coffee brand Devoción, which just debuted a new Brooklyn flagship in Williamsburg. Finding the right coffee, Zarou Scanlon explained, was a process on which she and Smith "would not compromise." Devoción sources its beans directly from small farms in Colombia, then rapid-ships them to the U.S. for roasting. The company also trains baristas serving its coffee on-site in Brooklyn. "There's milk education, there's espresso education; we buy our equipment with them; their technicians come every few weeks to check the water, make sure everything is correctly calibrated. That's our standout quality," Zarou Scanlon said about the cafe's partnership with Devoción.

Their Wired and Inspired blend, made exclusively for Karmic Grind, is a medium roast with chocolate, vanilla, raspberry and almond notes. Have it in espresso, latte, macchiato or cortado, among other classic drinks, which cost between $3.75 and $5.75. Devoción's cold brew is on tap ($5), and the organic teas include chai and matcha, as well as hot and iced teas. Additionally, there’s a growing food menu, including decadent grilled bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches on Bread Alone sourdough ($12), avocado toast, fresh bagels from Glen Cove Bagel Cafe, muffins and pastries from King Street Bakery (from $4.50) and doughnuts from Doughnut Plant ($5.75). They've expanded the in-house food offered at the Oyster Bay cafe to include lunch salads and sandwiches. "We’re in the process of soft-launching that menu, figuring out who's coming through and what they want." Zarou Scanlon said. 

The pair met about eight years ago when they realized their daughters shared the same name — Alia/Aalia — and decided to take a walk to get to know one another better, "as moms do," Zarou Scanlon said. Before a year had gone by, they were in business, opening in Locust Valley. "We really just wanted our community to benefit from what they call third spaces," she said. "Where you can live your life, be part of your community. There are so many friendships that have been formed in our shop."

Karmic Grind, 69 Pine Hollow Rd., Oyster Bay, karmicgrind.com; Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.