BUSHWICK — A coffee shop whose owner called Jews "greedy infiltrators" on social media has shut its doors, according to a sign outside the shop.
The Coffee Shop, located at 203 Wilson Ave., came under fire in October after owner Michael Avila posted a lengthy screed on the spot's Instagram page decrying Jewish people purchasing property in Bushwick.
In it, he said that Jews "function via greed and dominance."
Avila previously told DNAinfo New York that he wanted to keep the shop running despite cries of anti-Semitism bombarding his social media accounts, and that business was "running as it always has" after the hoopla.
But a hand-written sign was recently posted to the shop's window saying that it has "closed temporarily" and will reopen in the spring "under new management."
Avila and the landlord did not respond to requests for comment.
Several locals said they saw the sign or heard about the closing about two weeks ago.
One regular at the shop, who declined to be named, said business didn't seem to slow down much after Avila's Instagram post went viral, and was sad to see the shop close.
The regular said Avila "seemed shaken" over the media attention and he believed Avila simply worded himself incorrectly.
"His heart's in the right place," the regular said. "He didn't mean to disparage a group."
Avila opened The Coffee Shop just last July, a lifelong dream for the Bushwick native. He had planned to move to an apartment near the shop and wanted to be part of the neighborhood's changes.
He initially told DNAinfo New York that his post was "misunderstood," but later deleted his social media accounts and offered his "deep and sincere apologies" to anyone he may have hurt.
"I see all as my brothers and sisters despite differences," Avila said.
