Neighborly Neighbors: John Dammer

John Dammer, 31, at work at Bittersweet on the corner of Cumberland Street and DeKalb Avenue. (Photo by Emily Field)
John Dammer, 31, at work at Bittersweet on the corner of Cumberland Street and DeKalb Avenue. (Photo by Emily Field)

Neighborly Neighbors is a series of posts in which we stop random people, ask them a few random questions, take their picture and posts the results here. We took a different approach to this Neighborly Neighbors post. Let us know in the comments what you think.

John Dammer
Age: 31

We met John at work at Bittersweet, where he has worked as a barista for the past year. He moved to New York City two years ago, after spending most of his life in Arizona and Seattle, Wa. Dammer lives in Fort Greene, a five minute walk from Bittersweet, he said.

What brought you to New York City?

I’d never been to the East Coast before and I was looking for a change of pace and scenery. It’s been an up and down experience. I miss having access to nature. It never feels like you’re not in the city. But I love the public transportation.

What do you like about working here?

Great people, great crew that I work with. My bosses are the best bosses I’ve ever had. It’s very much a neighborhood spot, so you get to know people. We have our regulars.

What’s your favorite sandwich at Bittersweet?

They’re all good but probably the Hangover Helper [fried sage, serrano ham,  manchego cheese, fried sage and a hard boiled egg on a baguette]. We make all our sandwiches here.

We recently started making our own almond milk and it’s really popular. You soak almonds overnight, crush them and mix with some vanilla and a little salt.

What do you do for fun?

I play a bit of music, though I’m not in a band right now. I’m a guitar player. Reading, a bit of writing. I’m into cycling. I just started “Bonfire of the Vanities” by Tom Wolfe, I hadn’t read him before.

What would you do in a zombie apocalypse?

I’d probably get as far away from New York as possible. I’d move to the desert.