The coffee that
started it all.
Every bar of 2nd Ground soap begins with a single cup of coffee — and the grounds that get left behind.
Brooklyn's most beloved independent roaster.
Founded in 2005 by Caroline Bell and Chris Timbrell, Cafe Grumpy started as a single shop in Greenpoint — the same Brooklyn neighborhood where we make our soap. They roast in small batches on a vintage Probat roaster, source directly from farming families in South America, Central America, and East Africa, and have grown to eleven locations across New York City.
They're a certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise, an independent company that's been hands-on since day one — and a neighbor we're proud to call a partner.
Learn more about Cafe Grumpy →Two small businesses.
One circular idea.
Every day, Cafe Grumpy brews thousands of cups of espresso across their NYC locations. The grounds — dense, dark, full of residual antioxidants and caffeine — get left behind. For most cafés, that's where the story ends. The grounds go in the bin. The bin goes to landfill.
We had a different idea. What if those grounds could have a second life? What if waste could become wellness?
2nd Ground was built on exactly that question. We collect spent espresso grounds directly from Cafe Grumpy, process them in our Brooklyn studio, and press them into every bar of soap we make. The result is a 2-in-1 exfoliating bar that scrubs, cleanses, and leaves your skin genuinely better — powered by something that was about to be thrown away.
That's circular economics at the neighborhood level. Two Brooklyn businesses, closing the loop together.
Why post-brewed grounds are actually better for your skin.
Here's the part most people don't expect — the brewing process doesn't deplete coffee grounds. In many ways, it makes them more potent for skincare.
Higher antioxidants after brewing
Research shows that antioxidant levels in used coffee grounds are actually higher than in freshly ground coffee. Polyphenols and chlorogenic acids fight free radicals and slow visible aging.
Caffeine that works on skin
Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor — it temporarily tightens and brightens skin. It also reduces fluid retention and strengthens skin laxity, backed by 2024 research in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology.
Perfect exfoliant particle size
Espresso grounds are fine and dense — the ideal particle size for physical exfoliation. They buff away dead skin cells without micro-tears, leaving skin visibly smoother after just one use.
Natural antibacterial defense
Caffeic acid has natural antibacterial properties that protect skin against germs and support collagen production over time. Clean skin, the natural way.
Stimulates circulation
The scrubbing action increases blood flow, giving skin a naturally flushed, radiant glow with every use. A morning wake-up call for your skin.
Zero waste, maximum value
By upcycling grounds that would have gone straight to landfill, every bar of 2nd Ground soap is carbon-negative by nature. The most sustainable ingredient is one that already existed.
They brew it.
We make it.
They sell it.
The partnership came full circle when Cafe Grumpy started carrying 2nd Ground soap in their own store — describing it as "Made with our upcycled coffee grinds. Handmade, dual-layer bar with a coffee exfoliant on one side and a moisturizing soap base on the other. Crafted in Brooklyn by our friends at 2nd Ground."
Two Brooklyn businesses. One loop, closed.
Visit Cafe Grumpy →