The coffee no longer drips at 6317 N. Andrews Ave.
Credit: Taylor Schear
Back in September 2025, few coffee shops in Broward arrived with the kind of instant momentum that Drip Coffee did. The sleek café at 6317 N. Andrews Ave. quickly became a social media darling, drawing packed crowds for matcha drinks, specialty espresso creations and a minimalist aesthetic that seemed tailor-made for South Florida’s caffeine crowd.
Then, barely three months later, the shop went dark.
Now, owner Taylor Schear says the sudden closure stemmed from a construction and leasing dispute involving plaza owner Kimco Realty — one that she says has escalated into a lawsuit.
According to Schear, she signed a seven-year lease for the space in February 2025 and spent roughly a year bringing the concept to life before officially opening on September 27, 2025. She estimates nearly $500,000 went into the build-out and says the café was already projected to surpass $1 million in revenue during its first year.
But Schear alleges she learned just days after opening that the plaza was slated for major demolition work tied to a future redevelopment project that includes a Target. She claims the plans were never disclosed during lease negotiations.
“Two days after the grand opening, one of the employees went out the back door and there was a giant hole,” Schear told Browardist. “That’s when they let me know construction was starting.”
Schear says conditions rapidly deteriorated in the weeks that followed. She described foundation testing that caused intense vibrations, dust contamination near food preparation areas and ongoing utility interruptions. According to Schear, neighboring businesses including a salon operation and LA Fitness were also displaced amid redevelopment activity at the property.
Photos shared with Browardist appear to show shattered glass, exposed walls and debris surrounding the former café space.
Schear alleges she attempted to negotiate relocation options with Kimco Realty and requested placement in another comparable retail space while construction continued. She says those discussions ultimately failed.
As of this week, Schear says a lawsuit against Kimco Realty and Cypress Creek Limited Partners has been formally filed. She claims she is still paying rent and common area maintenance costs despite the café remaining shuttered and allegedly inaccessible after locks were changed at the property.
Browardist reached out to Kimco Realty for comment regarding Schear’s allegations and the pending legal action but did not receive a response by publication time.
The abrupt closure has surprised many locals who watched Drip Coffee become one of Broward’s most talked-about openings almost overnight. Long lines, influencer posts and near-daily social buzz helped turn the café into a destination shortly after launch.
Before the closure, Schear says she had ambitions to expand the concept throughout South Florida, including discussions tied to downtown Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Parkland.
For now, those plans have shifted toward smaller-scale pop-ups and residency concepts. Schear says she’s exploring temporary collaborations with restaurants and hospitality operators in both South Florida and New York while evaluating what comes next for the brand.
“It was doing very well,” Schear said. “The momentum was there.”
For more information on Drip Coffee, visit Drip Coffee on Instagram.
