Photo by Miriam Quiñones
Patrons of the former National Restaurant & Coffee Shop which, as reported, used to be located at 8 Bedford Park Boulevard and Jerome Avenue for 43 years prior to its closure some time around May 2025, have some new eatery options following the Grand Opening of the Metro Café at the same location on July 13.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones
Described by co-owner, Ale Coronel, as a “fantastic addition to Bedford Park Boulevard,” the location is right across from a major transit hub at Bedford Park subway station serving the 4 train, and a short distance from Lehman College. Coronel added, “The corridor gets a lot of foot traffic from students, commuters, and the community who are always looking for quick, fresh options.”
Photo by Miriam Quiñones
Coronel went on to say that the Café’s 24/7 schedule is “a total game-changer” for the neighborhood, especially for anyone catching an early train or heading home from a late shift. “Balancing out the super healthy acai bowls and smoothies with a classic burger-and-fries option means there’s actually something for whatever mood you’re in,” he said.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones
There is currently no seating at the Cafe but one of the other co-owners told Norwood News on July 28 that the management team are considering this for the future.
Free samples were handed out to the public at the Grand Opening.
Photo by Miriam Quiñones
Depending on their respective locations, new and existing local small businesses in Norwood and Bedford Park may be eligible to receive small business support and resources from the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID) and / or Mosholu Preservation Corporation (MPC).
Additionally, NYC Department of Small Business Services offers a wide range of services and supports to small businesses across the city.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.