NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Business is booming at coffee shops in the Elm City.

Omeo Simeone said he’s proud of the coffee he brews at his corner store in New Haven. He said he plans to open a new café and coffee shop just down the street.

With the price of one of his large coffees topping out at $1.50, he said he believes people will still indulge in a must-have morning cup despite a struggling economy.

For him coffee’s a no brainer. A couple of other soon-to-open shops seem to be banking on a similar principal. A storefront on Wall Street shows signs of Blue State.

Another on York Street will become a Willoughbys, which has three other locations in the region. The company co-founder said he hopes his high-end shop’s reputation and following among Yalies will make the new spot a success.

Still, coffee giant Starbucks recently announced plans to close 600 stores nationally, and some residents said they’re changing their coffee habits.

Openings range from a couple of weeks from now to sometime in the spring.