NewYorkFirst.com: New York Coffee Cup

The Cup That Launched a Thousand Sips.

Every city needs a symbol. In its coffee cup, New York has something that's both genuinely unique and almost timeless.

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 customer-friendly 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. Over nearly half a century, New York has made the improbable cup its own - we have used as many as 15 million of them in a single month. Still so identified with the city, the iconic cups have become standard-issue props on TV shows and motion pictures set in the city. This humble coffee cup is one of the things that makes New York, New York.

The One and Only Genuine Original.
There was a time, not so long ago, when coffee in New York was just coffee. You grabbed your morning fuel on your way to work, and a certain cup became part of your New York life. Maybe New Yorkers are yearning for a simpler time, when you sipped your coffee from the street-tough, disposable, 10-ounce coffee-to-go cup. It is now up to you to decide whether the NY Coffee Cup will survive in the Age of Starbucks, whether it can maintain its connection to New York culture. You may well conclude that you can't get by without a stack of them. (Packed in factory-sealed plastic sleeves).

The NY Coffee Cup.

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

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The Classic Redefined.
Although there have been many copycats, the original NY Coffee Cup design is unchanged since its introduction in 1963. They aren't as ubiquitous as they once were, but they will forever be a symbol of New York City life. So it's no wonder someone turned the enduring icon from disposable to permanent, from paper to infinitely-reusable ceramic, and it's not surprising that it's been immortalized at New York's Musuem of Modern Art. Crafted in durable lead-free earthenware, the 10-ounce cups are microwave and dishwasher safe. Witty remake of an unforgettable original.

"Modern Art" NY Coffee Cup.

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 Bowery beggars using the paper cups to panhandle for change. The design is modeled closely after the original NY Coffee Cup, featuring an accurate rendering of the Greek diner motif. Well-constructed of durable, printed leather, the purse closes with a sturdy brass zipper, measures 4-inches tall, 4-inches across at top, and 2-inches deep.

Panhandler's Change Purse.

Price: $29.

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What Your Cup Has Been Waiting For.
We decided it was time to fill your cups with a rich, bold coffee that would satisfy even the most critical palates in the city. It wasn't easy. It took passion, commitment and time. After a long search, we found a team of hard core coffee fanatics who joined our journey. They bring with them the fine art of barrel roasting, a meticulous craft that is the cornerstone of great micro-roasters. The full, dark chestnut roast style, coupled with the superior bean quality, produces a richer, smoother and more flavorful coffee. Blue Cup Special is a signature blend that delivers heightened flavor and enhanced body without the bite. Smooth yet sturdy, this artisanal roast proves that strong coffees don't have to be bitter!

"Blue Cup Special" Artisan Roasted Coffee.
(12-ounce vacuum-sealed bag)

Price: $10.95

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In a New York Minute.
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. By the way, isn't it time for a coffee break?

Coffee Time Watch.

Price: $59.

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Wit is the Voice of Style.
Even a matter-of-fact sort of chap, when he fastens on a pair of cufflinks, even he can feel a difference. The right accessory can do a good job in expressing your individuality. And these articulate cuff links always add just a bit of wit to that tailored suit. The man who wears NY Coffee Cup-inspired Cuff Links is bound to raise a few eyebrows, as he makes his own fashion statement. A true icon of the city, dressed up for a night on the town. Crafted in enamel on a nickel-plated backing. Handsome gift box. Perfect for the CEO or a gift for your favorite barista. Or, or, or.

NY Coffee Cup Cufflinks.

Price: $49.

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To Protect and Serve.
Inspired by the underground works of public art throughout New York's subway system, we've created an homage to the NY Coffee Cup and conspired with a courageous potter to reproduce a small number of them. The durable and decorative tiles are kiln-fired and hand-glazed, impervious to moisture, sunlight and heat. True colors are locked into the 1/4-inch tile substrate, measuring 4 1/4 x 4 1/4-inches. Cork pads on the backs protect the surface of your coffee table. Intended for display on their own as artwork, the tiles make practical drink coasters or trivets with the cup's spunky attitude and historic design.

Ceramic Coffee Coaster.

Price: $14. (each)
Price: $48. (set of four)

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Save the Planet.
Say no to plastic bags - they're not biodegradable. After one use, they spend 1000 years in the landfill. So the next 50 generations of your family will have to live with your plastic bags. Instead, whip out your own brilliant alternative and challenge established notions. Make people stare. The Anti-Plastic Tote Bag shows your commitment to the environment, not to mention coffee culture. Each tote bag is individually cut from unbleached, certified organic cotton, hand-stitched for extra strength. Measures 18" x 15" x 7" with 25-inch-long straps, long enough to wear over the shoulder. Perfect carry-all for groceries, and everyday use around town.

The Anti-Plastic Tote Bag.

Price: $24.

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Larger Than Life.
If King Kong had his own NY Coffee Cup, this would be it. The big gorilla's supersized cup provides as many other creative uses as you can think of. It becomes a trash bin, a planter, or a bank for change left over from your daily coffee shop purchases. Or, or or. The design is true to the classic NY Coffee Coffee Cup (and Sippable Lid), the faux Greek iconography faithfully intact (with a realistic drip of coffee as an extra added attraction). Constructed in authentic plastic, King Kong Kup stands a foot tall and holds a volume equivalent to twenty human-size cups.

King Kong Kup.

Price: $29.

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CATALOG REQUEST We hope to arouse your curiosity with an entire catalog inspired by the NY COFFEE CUP. Expand your collection with some of this shamefully enjoyable, unabashedly coffee-centric merchandise. To request the NY COFFEE CUP Catalog, phone (800) 581-7599, or complete the following form, then click the SUBMIT button.
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