Opening a Scandinavian café wasn’t necessarily part of Leah Flannigan’s long-term plan.

It began as an urge to do something different. Something entrepreneurial. Something that actually felt good.

“I was working in consulting and experimenting with passion projects on the side,” she says. One of those projects, a Scandinavian pop-up inspired by her Swedish heritage, ended up changing everything.

“It was food that I loved, but couldn’t find anywhere, even in New York. There was this huge gap. The cuisine was so underrepresented that it naturally sparked curiosity — and opportunities started finding me. No one else was really doing it.”

That single pop-up led to collaborations with the local Nordic communities, which opened more doors and eventually led to her first storefront. “I had no proof of concept. No experience running a shop. But when the opportunity came, it felt like a moment of truth, so I said yes.”

“We care about the neighborhood because we’re in it too.”

In July 2024, Leah opened the doors to Falu House on the border of Williamsburg and Greenpoint, sharing a space with a Scandinavian furniture and home goods store. The retail side feels like a luxury version of IKEA; the café side serves fresh pastries, open-faced sandwiches, seasonal plates, and strong coffee. Together, they have become something of a neighborhood anchor.

Falu House blends minimalism with warmth, which is exactly what Leah had envisioned. “Some places just feel good to be in. That’s what I wanted this to be. Natural light, great service, good food. Even though we are counter service, we try to over-deliver on everything.”

It’s a place where regulars come to work, eat, or just hang out. “We’ve become part of people’s routines.” Leah says. “We know what’s going on in their lives, and they know what’s going on in ours. That connection — real community — is what matters most to us.”

Still figuring it out — and going all in.

A year in, Leah is still very much in the trenches. “I’m a first-time operator. I’m learning fast and on my feet. Right now, it’s about getting the fundamentals right: building awareness, creating new revenue streams, and taking smart risks.”

One of those growth areas? Catering. With a roster of past clients and a location close to Manhattan and Long Island City, the shop is expanding its footprint beyond walk-ins. “We’ve got to get the ship moving in the right direction. That means putting myself out there, trying things, failing fast if I need to.”

The current seasonal favorite? “Our spring breakfast burrito. It’s hands-down my favorite thing on the menu right now.” But for Leah, the food is only part of the picture. “Falu House is really about the full experience — the light, the energy, the people. It’s a place you want to spend time in.”

Whether you’re grabbing a cardamom bun to go or setting up your laptop for the morning, the space is designed to feel welcoming: calm, comfortable, and just a little elevated. “We want to be the kind of spot that lifts your mood. Where you can settle in, feel at ease, and leave a little better than when you came in.”