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NewsMacro · META

Brooklyn Coffee Shop Poetica Issues Refund to Rep. Dan Goldman, Declares Policy Against 'Genocide Enablers'

Poetica Coffee, a Brooklyn café whose owner built the brand on a stated promise of unconditional welcome, publicly disavowed a transaction with Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., on Sunday, issuing a refund after staff belatedly identified the congressman as a supporter of Israel. The shop said in a Facebook post that it would have turned Goldman away on the spot had employees recognized him earlier, a stance that drew immediate legal scrutiny and accusations of discrimination rooted in Jewish identity.

By Grant HalloranNewsroomJune 22, 20262 min readMETA
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Key takeaways

  • Brooklyn café Poetica Coffee refunded a transaction with Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., on Sunday after staff identified him as a supporter of Israel.
  • In a Facebook post, the shop said it does not serve 'racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between' and would have turned Goldman away had employees recognized him earlier.
  • The post drew accusations of discrimination based on Jewish identity and prompted questions about possible violations of city and state human rights law.
  • Goldman said the barista had been 'nothing but kind' to him and his 7-year-old daughter, and that he bought a coffee to reciprocate that kindness.
  • The incident contradicts the café's public branding by owner Parviz Mukhamadkulov, who promised 'unconditional dignity' and a place 'where the door doesn't close on anyone.'

Poetica Coffee, a Brooklyn café whose owner built the brand on a stated promise of unconditional welcome, publicly disavowed a transaction with Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., on Sunday, issuing a refund after staff belatedly identified the congressman as a supporter of Israel. The shop said in a Facebook post that it would have turned Goldman away on the spot had employees recognized him earlier, a stance that drew immediate legal scrutiny and accusations of discrimination rooted in Jewish identity.

The Incident and the Post

Goldman visited the Brooklyn location with his 7-year-old daughter. After the visit, Poetica Coffee published a post on Facebook addressing the congressman directly, stating the shop does not serve "racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between." The post referenced Goldman's support for Israel and suggested his money likely came from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The shop added that the decision to refund his purchase originated with the barista, not management, and closed with a pointed reference to Goldman's upcoming Democratic primary against former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

Goldman responded on social media, saying he was disappointed by the post while noting the barista had been "nothing but kind" to him and his daughter — including allowing his daughter to use the restroom before any purchase was made. He said he bought a coffee specifically to reciprocate that kindness and expressed hope the employee would receive the tip she had earned.

Legal and Community Backlash

The post drew rapid criticism from Jewish community leaders and prompted questions about potential violations of city and state human rights law. Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, wrote on X that turning a cup of coffee into a "Jewish identity litmus test is an affront to the law, our values, and every New Yorker who rejects discrimination." Treyger raised the question of whether an identifiably Jewish customer — someone wearing a kippah or Star of David — would be required to disclose political views on Middle East policy before being served.

Fox News Digital reached out to Goldman, Poetica Coffee, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. A staffer for the shop told the New York Post only: "No comment. We stand against genocide."

A Brand Built on the Opposite Promise

The incident sits in direct tension with the public identity Parviz Mukhamadkulov, an Uzbek immigrant, constructed for the business he opened in 2020. Poetica's website carries his statement that the café is a place "where the door doesn't close on anyone" and that every guest "deserves to be welcomed" — not as a customer or a transaction, but as someone who arrived. A separate line on the site states that whoever walks through the door is treated with "unconditional dignity." Those lines now face scrutiny alongside the Facebook post that contradicted them.

About this story

Filed by the newsroom of MarketPR on June 22, 2026. Source: foxnews.com. Indicative figures are not investment advice.

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Frequently asked

Why did Poetica Coffee refund Rep. Dan Goldman?

The café refunded Goldman after staff belatedly identified him as a supporter of Israel, stating it does not serve 'genocide enablers' and referencing his support for Israel.

How did Rep. Dan Goldman respond?

Goldman said he was disappointed by the post but noted the barista had been kind to him and his daughter, and he expressed hope the employee would receive the tip she had earned.

What legal concerns did the incident raise?

Jewish community leaders and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York raised questions about potential violations of city and state human rights law and called it discrimination based on Jewish identity.

Who owns Poetica Coffee and what is its stated mission?

Poetica Coffee was opened in 2020 by Uzbek immigrant Parviz Mukhamadkulov, whose website promises a place 'where the door doesn't close on anyone' and that every guest is treated with 'unconditional dignity.'

Did the café comment on the controversy?

A staffer told the New York Post only, 'No comment. We stand against genocide,' while several officials and the shop did not respond to other outreach.