Our story
A tiny purple curiosity shop of a coffee house, run by an actress who bakes your morning from scratch and learns your name.
The name
The shop is named for its owner and its curiosity-shop soul — Sonnie’s bits and bobs. It’s part coffee house, part scratch bakery, part cabinet of curiosities, all run by one person, in a room about ten feet wide and forty feet deep.
Meet Sonnie
Sonnie Brown is a working actress. When acting slowed in 2018, she spotted an empty 28th Ave storefront — a former bodega, then a hair salon — and opened Sonbobs as a “second job.” She’s been here ever since: baking everything herself, running the counter, and posting a monthly schedule on Instagram when a role calls her away.
An Astorian for 20+ years, she keeps prices low on purpose because she knows the neighborhood. People come as much for her company and a good word as for the coffee. “I want people to hang out here and make friends.”
The room
Behind a purple window sign: lavender-lace curtains, purple fairy lights, shiny stars, a Magic 8-Ball on the counter, old jazz on the speakers. Along the shelves are “bits and bobs” for sale — postcards, soy candles, china teacups, costume jewelry, much of it handmade by Sonnie. Some nights, there’s an open mic for singing and poetry. It’s a neighborhood living room with a big heart.
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