It all started back in 1999 when Susannah Koteen decided to convert an old auto parts store at 108th and Columbus into a corner cafe serving coffee, tea, espresso drinks, and light fare. After a successful conversion and developing a small flow of local patrons, Susannah decided to move on and placed a For Sale sign in the window. It didn't take long for the sign to attract the attention of one James Lee, whose girlfriend was a patron and lived upstairs from the original Zanny's. James immediately thought of a friend of theirs, John F. Kandel, a lifelong New Yorker and neighborhood denizen, who had expressed an interest in starting up a neighborhood place of his own. So in March of 2002, after a meeting at a Thai restaurant at 49th and 9th, James and John decided to purchase Zanny's Cafe from Koteen. Their partership clicked. They pooled their funds. Soon after, Kandel and Lee formed J & J Java, Inc. to continue developing Zanny's Cafe where Susannah had left off. They knew that with some hard work and creativity their small cafe on a non-descript corner of the not quite gentrified Manhattan Valley could really be something special--a place for friends to meet, eat, drink and chat, a warm, lively beacon in the middle of their changing neighborhood. So to that end, they decided to stretch Zanny's Cafe beyond the standard coffee and dessert coffeehouse model. They revamped the seating, painted the walls, developed an extensive menu, hired two full time cooks (now known as the Dos Omars) secured a beer/wine license, established a catering business, and hired Columbia students in need of part-time employment as cashier/baristas to supplement their student loan money. They offered the walls of the space as a gallery for local artists. And more recently John has reintroduced his popular Wednesday Night at the Movies series of free film screenings. See the events page for detailed information.
John F. Kandel
Age 9
President, J & J Java
John was born and bred in New York City on the West Side. He grew up on 79th and Broadway with his Mom in the legendary Apthorp Building. He still lives right off of Broadway so he can take the 1 train to reset his Mom's clocks when Daylight Savings Time hits. Besides owning and operating Zanny's Cafe, his hobbies include traveling, reading, renting cars, poker, flirting with his customers and motivating his staff by setting a prime example of just what hard work can achieve. Come be dazzled into spending money by John's sparkling blue eyes and rosy cheeks.
James Lee
Age 7
Vice Pres., J & J Java
James was born in Korea. At the age of 13 James moved to Toronto, Canada. How he came to New York City is still a mystery. Regardless, James loves business, but not as much as James loves soccer, which he plays on a regular basis with a NYC city league team. He also coaches a youth team. James is a recovering Fresh Direct employee. James lives in the neighborhood. His birthday is July 10th. James makes a mean spaghetti sauce and enjoys riding his bike and harassing his partner, John.


975 Columbus Avenue at 108th Street New York, NY 10025
phone: 212.316.6849 email: info@zannyscafe.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 7AM - 6PM Sat-Sun 9AM - 6PM
Website Designed by Paul Assimacopoulos
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