Coffee drinkers hope for last-minute reprieve to save Buunni

Hoylman didn't attend the rally, but legislation to help small businesses level the playing field with landlords does have the backing of state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, who shared with the crowd her own personal connections with the Buunni location.

"Back in 2018, when we were first running, we were being told by businesses that we couldn't put a poster up, or were welcome really — we were just not supposed to be doing what we were doing," Biaggi said, reflecting back on her race to unseat longtime incumbent Jeffrey Klein. Buunni "quite literally opened their doors."

"Look at what we were able and have been able to accomplish because of people like both of you (Prabasi and Gurmu), and Buunni Coffee, who not only opened your doors, but raised the collective consciousness of the entire community."