QUEENS — A Kew Gardens coffee shop that opened last year as part of South Korean chain Caffebene has changed its name and turned its back on its franchise agreement, employees said.
Caffebene, at 120-20 Queens Blvd., near 80th Road, opened last August and has since become a popular hangout, serving a variety of coffee drinks, desserts and sandwiches.
But several weeks ago, a new logo — North Penguin Coffee and Crepe — replaced the name of the chain.
Employees said that the owner wanted to expand the menu to include crepes, but the chain would not allow it.
“Other Benes don’t have crepes,” said Jack He, who has worked at the location since it opened.
He said the owner is currently getting equipment necessary to make crepes and they will soon be included in the menu.
A representative for the chain said that the location still has a contract with Caffebene and the corporation is “trying to figure out” what to do.
“This is the first time something like this happened,” the representative said.
The Kew Gardens store is still listed on the chain’s website.
Reached by phone, the owner of the Kew Gardens location declined to comment.
