Improved Coffee Mug Experience
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Chinatown, Derby Cup Coffee is a charming coffee shop that has quickly become a hidden gem for locals and visitors alike. Founded by the dynamic trio of Yasmin Kaytmaz, David Komurek, and Alex Ball, the team behind the popular downtown spot, The River, Derby Cup Coffee offers an unique blend of the charm and aesthetic of the Kentucky Derby with the warmth and vibe of a neighbourhood coffee shop [1][2].
The name Derby Cup Coffee is a nod to the famed horse racing event, the Kentucky Derby, and the shop's design and branding reflect this influence. However, Derby Cup Coffee is not just a tribute to the race; it is a local hangout that provides quality coffee to the residents of Chinatown. This creative amalgamation sets it apart from typical cafes in the area, connecting a classic American cultural event with the bustling urban environment of New York’s Chinatown [2].
Yasmin Kaytmaz, a co-owner and the driving force behind Derby Cup Coffee, is a lifelong horse enthusiast. Her mother owned a racehorse, and this passion for horses is evident in the leather horse accoutrement and adventurous artwork from local artists adorning the café's interior [3]. The design of Derby Cup Coffee was inspired by a tack room, a place where horse gear is stored and equestrians prepare for and disrobe from their rides, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Derby Cup Coffee sources its coffee from Variety Coffee Roasters, a Brooklyn roastery known for its freshness and universality. Yasmin Kaytmaz prefers Variety Coffee Roasters over other niche or light roast coffee brands, aiming for a good cup of coffee without unnecessary complexity or "bullshit" [4]. The café's art display is also a sight to behold, with works from Jamian Juliano-Villani, Walter Robinson, Sanya Kantarovsky, David Muenzer, and Sam Anderson, as well as traditional, kitschy coffeehouse art and pieces from major galleries and museums [5].
Customers at Derby Cup Coffee can enjoy a variety of delicious food options, including the prized ham and Gruyère baguette, as well as one with jam and salted butter, and pain au chocolat (and sans chocolat also-aka plain croissant) [6]. The baguettes and pastries are sourced from Jacqueline Eng's Partybus Bakeshop of the Lower East Side, which is known for their organic sourdough made from locally sourced flour [7].
Derby Cup Coffee was a response to the trend of clean, minimalist coffee shops in New York, aiming for warmth and comfort instead. Yasmin Kaytmaz, who lived in the area for a while and noticed a lack of coffee shops with outdoor seating, envisioned Derby Cup Coffee as a solution for the lack of daytime hangout spots in the Lower East Side and Chinatown [8]. With plans to expand to other coffee dead zones, such as the Upper East Side, Ridgewood, and Crown Heights, Derby Cup Coffee is set to bring its unique blend of charm, comfort, and community to more neighbourhoods across New York.
[1] https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/derby-cup-coffee-061021 [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/dining/derby-cup-coffee-chinatown.html [3] https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/derby-cup-coffee-061021 [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/dining/derby-cup-coffee-chinatown.html [5] https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/derby-cup-coffee-061021 [6] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/dining/derby-cup-coffee-chinatown.html [7] https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/derby-cup-coffee-061021 [8] https://www.timeout.com/newyork/restaurants/derby-cup-coffee-061021
At Derby Cup Coffee, the fusion of a classic American cultural event with the urban environment of Chinatown extends beyond just its name, offering both fashion-and-beauty, with decor inspired by equestrian tack rooms and art from local artists, and food-and-drink, with baguettes and pastries sourced from Partybus Bakeshop. This unique establishment, nestled in the heart of Chinatown, is not just a tribute to the Kentucky Derby; it is a neighborhood coffee shop that has quickly become a hidden gem for its lifestyle offerings and warmth.
