Laughing Man Café: Small Coffee Shop, Big Heart

Lately, we’ve been inspired to incorporate more impactful, sustainable businesses into both our travels and every day life. That means, instead of grabbing our morning latte at the coffee giant a block away, we decided to stroll a few more blocks south and immerse ourselves in the coffee and story of Laughing Man Café.

In 2009, Hugh Jackman (aka Wolverine) and his wife traveled to Ethiopia with the World Vision organization. On that journey, he struck up a life-changing friendship with a coffee farmer named Dukale. Upon learning of the challenges small, rural farmers face on an every day basis, Hugh saw the difference fair trade can make. Fair trade trade means fair prices; this ultimately means a farmer, like Dukale, is able to have a continuous business selling coffee beans at fair levels on the Ethiopian Coffee Exchange and provide for his family.

So many people it seems are often all talk and no walk — but not Hugh. In 2011, Hugh created his Laughing Man Tea & Coffee business with Dukale and friends. The company’s mission is to produce quality teas and coffees, while valuing famers and ensuring fair compensation. Hugh’s first brick-and-morter coffee shop opened later that year in TriBeCa, called Laughing Man Café.

The small neighborhood coffee shop occupies a tiny nook-of-a-space off Duane Street. Bags of their speciality blend, Dukale’s Dream, line one wall while freshly baked pastries and doughnuts can be found on the other. The cozy quarters inside leave just a enough room for a few people to order, so enjoy your cup of joe outside on a bench in their sunny urban garden area, playfully lined with turf grass. The coffee is delicious and well worth the extra few blocks walk. Here, they’re famous for a Flat White or any traditional espresso, though we’re partial to the classic cappuccino. The best part of all? 100% of the profits go to the Laughing Man Foundation.

If you’re ever in NYC, stop by Hugh’s place and call us to come join you. On your journeys and in your hometown, we encourage you to find the local businesses that are trying to do a little good in this world too!