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For sibling entrepreneurs Lenny and Leanne Villani, coffee is more than just a morning ritual — it’s a heartfelt tribute to their beloved grandma Nana Lee.
Leanne told Greater Long Island that her nana had a love for strong, freshly brewed coffee, a central part of their family dynamic which years later deeply influenced the pair.
“I tried my first coffee with her when I was 5 years old,” she said. “And I’ve been obsessed ever since.”
It’s this cherished memory that inspired the creation of So Brew’d Coffee, which got started in Lake Grove in May 2024.
Starting with small popups, then bottling for distribution at local businesses, the brand is now revolutionizing local coffee consumption with its innovative “milkman-style” cold brew delivery service, the founders say.
The story
“Nana Lee was always obsessed with coffee,” Leanne said. “After she passed in 2021, we realized store-bought coffee just didn’t compare to the fresh, bold taste we grew up with.”
Lenny, too, felt the pull to honor that tradition.
“We had nothing but a bag of beans and a pot,” Leanne said with a laugh.
The name, So Brew’d Coffee, emerged from a lighthearted moment of pre-caffeine grumpiness.
Their motto, “Don’t be so Brew’d, just drink your coffee.”
From the start, Leanne said they wanted to set themselves apart by focusing on freshness and flavor. With beans from around the world, they roast weekly in Bohemia, package and deliver anywhere that wants a fresh pot of Joe.
When the company started out, they were selling at events across Long Island and New York City.
They soon started bottling their brews, selling at select Hummus Fit and Redefine Meals locations, and now at local farmers markets. They also created a mobile coffee cart and espresso bar for parties across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Two years later, they’ve brought their drinks to weddings in the five boroughs and Florida.
Going old-school
In February, after partnering with a bottle manufacturing company, the duo decided to create a cold brew subscription program — think the milkman, but with coffee.
“We deliver a full gallon of our single-origin cold brew right to your front door,” Leanne said. “Then we come back to pick up the empty for a refill.”
This sustainable (if not new) model not only provides convenience but also reduces waste.
The initial one-gallon program costs $50, with every subsequent refill priced at $30, offering a cost-effective and eco-conscious way to enjoy their superior cold brew brought to your door.
Finding them at the Lindenhurst Farmers Market or at a street fair this summer, So Brewed also offers an array of cold drinks, including their popular lemonade and various refreshers.
“It’s more than just a cup of coffee,” Leanne said. “Coffee brings conversations that matter.”
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