“In the early 1900s, through the 1920s, Italians arrived in great numbers to Greenwich Village. My grandparents came around 1900 and opened a bakery at 201 Bleecker Street, baking breads, early-style pizza, and even roasting meats for neighbors who had no ovens.
In 1907, Patsy Albanese opened Porto Rico Importing Company across the street. It was one of many shops supplying essentials to Italian immigrants—spices, oils, dried goods, and of course, fresh coffee and tea.
In 1958, as Patsy grew older, he offered the store to my father. A baker like his father before him, my father was ready to leave the grueling hours behind. He bought Porto Rico, rented out the bakery, and Patsy retired—a good outcome for both families.
As Greenwich Village evolved—bringing together Italians, artists, and beat poets—so did we. Customers returned from travels asking for coffees they’d discovered. We asked questions, did the research, and sourced new beans. That’s how our selection grew—through curiosity and conversation.
I grew up in the store, starting with deliveries to local cafés. I’d take too long, distracted by the energy of MacDougal Street—it felt like a revolution in the air. In 1965, we moved the store to 201 Bleecker. By 1973, after college, I joined the business full-time.
Today, we roast most of our coffee in Brooklyn, still in small batches, still as needed—like a bakery—so it’s always fresh. The bags often arrive warm.
As we’ve grown to three locations, I’ve worked to keep the feeling of a neighborhood shop—where staff and customers are part of the same extended family. Some things haven’t changed: everyone is welcome. The coffee is incredibly fresh, true to its origins, and fairly priced.
Coffee is personal. Everyone drinks it their own way—and they should. It may be one of the last simple freedoms we have.”
—Peter Longo, Owner�Porto Rico Importing Co.
@portoricoimportingco
Video by
@hannahveshancey 
