Almost a dozen companies have responded to a Metropolitan Transportation Authority request for proposals for an 800-square-foot Starbucks space inside Grand Central Terminal, where a lease expires in March, Crain’s reported. Rumor has it that Greenpoint-based Café Grumpy, which plays a role in Lena Dunham’s hit HBO series “Girls,” is the front-runner, according to Crain’s.

The aim is to fill the space with a coffee retailer that isn’t part of a national franchise.

“We carefully manage the mix of retailers in Grand Central to ensure a diversity of national chains and locally owned small businesses,” an MTA spokesperson told Crain’s.

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Grand Central has brought on independent coffee companies in recent years, such as Joe Coffee and Financier. Starbucks still has a second location inside the station.

In addition, Grand Central is moving away from installing national chains in its food areas. For example, Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack will open a station space this year. [Crain’s] —Zachary Kussin