Ken Nye founded this operation in 2001 as Higher Grounds Cafe in New Yorks East Village, establishing a roastery that would become a pioneering force in contemporary espresso culture before adopting the name Ninth Street Espresso in 2003. In 2023, the roastery expanded with a micro roastery in Long Island City, equipped with a Diedrich IR12 roaster that enables greater production capacity. Their primary supplier, Daterra, is a Brazilian coffee producer with whom they have maintained a relationship spanning about ten years, built on shared values around quality and sustainability. A philosophy centered on balance and drinkability shapes every roasting decision, resulting in espresso that emphasizes the coffees inherent sweetness and clarity.