NewYorkFirst.com: New York Coffee Cup

Ode to a Grecian Coffee Cup.

Every city needs a symbol. In its coffee cup, New York has something that’s both genuinely unique and almost timeless. This humble coffee cup is one of the things that makes New York, New York.

When Greek immigrants arrived in New York in the early part of the last century, they brought their coffee culture along with them, giving birth to the city’s ubiquitous Greek diners and sidewalk pushcarts. In 1963, the Sherri Cup Company set out to produce a to-go coffee cup that would appeal to the Greek vendors. Marketing director Leslie Buck dreamed up a motif that included blue-and-white colors from the flag of Greece. His message, WE ARE HAPPY TO SERVE YOU, was printed in Greek-style letters, adorned with a trio of steaming, mustard-yellow cups, flanked by ancient “Anthora” urns, and framed with a Greek Key pattern. No one, before or since, has been able to capture, by accident or design, the city’s self-identity. That’s what we like about these cups. Really.

Coffee with Attitude.
Get in touch with your inner New Yorker. Carry your coffee-to-go in the preferred choice of New York City coffee carts and coffee shops, a street-tough cup that will separate you from the Starbucked masses. The original, disposable 10-ounce Anthora "Greek-motif" coffee cup has held its own against all new contenders through the specialty coffee boom by maintaining its connection to New York culture. Hollywood props departments order these city-centric cups by the caseload, for use on TV shows like "The Sopranos,""CSI: NY" and "House." You gotta have a stack of them. (Packed in factory-sealed plastic sleeves).

New York Coffee Cup (Paper)

Price: $36. (100 cups and lids)
Price: $69. (200 cups and lids)

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From Disposable to Permanent.
The world's most famous paper cup has been recreated as a 10-ounce ceramic mug, capturing the essence of the venerated original. Rendered in the more permanent material, these cups are manufactured of lead-free earthenware, both microwave and dishwasher safe. What else would you expect from a city as tough as New York?.

NY Coffee Cup in Ceramic.

Price: $24. (set of two)
Price: $44. (set of four)

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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
This city-centric coin purse started off as an exhibit in a New York art gallery, although its origins are much humbler. NYC artist George Skelcher was inspired to create the purse after seeing the city's homeless using crushed coffee cups to panhandle for change. The design is modeled closely after the famous New York City coffee cup, featuring an accurate rendering of the blue and gold motif and the phrase "We Are Happy to Serve You." Well-constructed of durable, printed leather, the purse closes with a sturdy brass zipper, measures 4" tall, 4" across at top, and 2" deep.

Lucky Panhandler's Purse.

Price: $29.

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Time for a Coffee Break.
Johnny Carson once described a New York Minute as being the time it takes "from the traffic lights to turn green, until the guy behind you starts honking his horn." In the high-energy city, where time is money, everyone is obsessed with knowing what time it is. Your watch says more than a few descriptive words about your individuality, so let it speak in a stylish way. When you wrap the fashion-forward Coffee Time Watch around your wrist, you make a bold statement about your beverage of choice. Battery-powered quartz watch movement and natural leather band.

Coffee Time Watch.

Price: $59.

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Diner Chic.
The right accessory can do a good job in expressing your individuality. And simple yet bold cuff links always add just a bit of splash to that tailored suit. The man who wears "Anthora" Coffee Cup-inspired Cuff Links is bound to raise a few eyebrows, as he makes a pro-caffeine, anti-fashion statement. A true icon of the city. Crafted in enamel on a nickel-plated backing. Handsome gift box.

"Anthora" Coffee Cup Cuff Links.

Price: $59.

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Culture Shock.
So, how do type-A New Yorkers add more hours to their day? The answer is New York's own Shock Coffee, an all-natural blend of light, medium and dark roast coffee beans, naturally loaded with over 50% more caffeine than other gourmet coffees. The potent, butt-kicking whole beans are offered in a vacuum-sealed 13-ounce canister. So brew up some Shock for your favorite stress junkie. Admit it: sleep is overrated.