AKA Potion owner Aymeric Lefebvre worries about the future of his café. — Photo by Justin Ludwig

Tucked away in the industrial landscape between East Williamsburg and Bushwick, the McKibbin Street lofts’ in-house coffee shop, aka Potion, is struggling to stay afloat amid hard economic times.

Adding color to an otherwise bleak sidewalk, Potion has been a home away from home for the community of young artists and students that occupy the two five-story former factories. Its eclectic art-filled walls host open-mic nights and weekly jazz jams, among other things. During quiet hours, Potion offers a relaxing place to read, sip organic brews, and work on laptops.

"The location is kind of perfect. So many artists around," owner Aymeric Lefebvre said. "You can come and play music anytime. When I can, I do some events and shows." 

Despite its local popularity and laid back atmosphere, though, the business can’t survive as it is now, according to Lefebvre.  

"Its more of a social place than anything," he explained. "The coffee shop is just a pretext to have a space."  

The self-described haven "dedicated to fueling the hearts of artists" could be closed by end of the month unless a new business partner can be found. 

"If it were to close, that would be a huge loss," said Jay Murray, a Potion regular. "There are a lot of great community things going on." 

Murray likens Potion to a "built-in clubhouse." Nearly everyday he comes down from his McKibbin loft and works from Potion on his laptop. 

Lefebvre has a lot of great ideas, Murray said. "I want to see him succeed because its in all of our interests." 

If he can find a partner, Lefebvre says he will expand the scope of Potion in the hopes of saving it. He would open the downstairs space and create "a community room for people to host venues, parties, to support the café." There are also plans to build a green roof that could supply the café with organic herbs and vegetables by next summer. 

Finding a partner for the café is difficult, though. The business requires people with a certain mindset, he says, people who "have a sense of community," and want to be "involved with projects in the café." 

"Life being what it is, people have jobs, apartments [to support]," Lefebvre said. 

While many have expressed concern with Potion’s plight, so far none have made any commitments. Lefebvre says he hopes publicity of the impending shutdown will spur interest from prospective partners.