Starbucks is asking its customers to talk about race. The company launched a campaign called Race Together earlier this month, but some Bronx business owners came up with a very similar concept first. NY1’s Erin Clarke filed the story.

When Starbucks encouraged the public to talk about race over coffee, folks in the Bronx had heard it before at the Mix Coffeehaus.

One of its owners says she was often subjected to derogatory comments for being mixed race and never quite knew how to describe herself on census forms. So when the Mix Coffeehaus briefly opened as a pop-up shop in Port Morris last year, race was on the menu.

"Instead of the barista asking what would you like today they would ask you what are you today, and that would lead to this moment of pause and reflection. For people that were not mixed, they've never been put in this position, but they explained that they were the ones asking the question so it felt uncomfortable to receive those questions. So walked away with an understanding," said Vernicia Colon, co-owner of Mix Coffehaus.

The Starbucks campaign was similar. Baristas were asked to hand out stickers with the words "Race Together" or write them on coffee cups. The goal was to see if the company could help to "create a more empathetic and inclusive society."

The campaign received pushback on social media, and ended last week. The Mix Coffeehaus owners commended the coffee giant for making an effort to improve race relations. They want everyone to know that they developed the race on the menu concept first because they intend to reopen their cafe one day soon.

"We're more concerned with this perception that we would be the ones, ironically enough, that were copying Starbucks so we just want to make sure we're protected in that way," said Colon.

A Fordham University marketing professor says ideas are often copied because they cannot be protected, so neither Mix Coffeehaus or Starbucks can legally claim the concept, but he does think the Bronx cafe will come out a winner.

"As a brand, as what she seems to stand for, I think she's come up with this first. I think people would side with her," said Dr. Timothy Malefyt, Fordham University Associate Professor of Marketing.

Good news for Mix Coffehaus and their goal of serving up coffee and conversation.