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The Big Cup Closes Its Doors! A coffee disaster in Chelsea, Manhattan, New York City
After you read the story below, click here to check out the update on Sept. 1. Chelsea is changing. After years of serving up hot coffee and hot bodies, the Big Cup has announced that on the 28th of August it will close its doors. All that's left for coffee in Chelsea is the burnt crappy flavor of Corporate America. For those of you desperate for a good cup of coffee, contact my favorite coffee place on earth, Uncommon Grounds. They are in Burlington, Vermont, but will be more than happy to ship some coffee to you. They can be reached at (802) 865-6227 or ugroasters@globalnetisp.net. Tell them that NYC Stories sent you! Try the French Roast for a great cup of strong coffee that does not taste like it was burnt by Starbucks. Sure you have to make it at home, but come on people, how hard is it to make a cup of coffee? Hopefully this closing does not mean that Starbucks is going to open up yet another store in the neighborhood. Or worse yet some other chain store we do not need or want in Chelsea. Whatever happened to local color? Below is a picture of the NY Times photographer taking a picture of me taking a picture of the Big Cup closing sign. Watch the times to see if my picture shows up in the Times. Don't forget to check out NYC Stories Gear at http://www.cafepress.com/nycstories
Thankfully, there is Paradise Muffin shop and Murray's Bagels, so you can
still drink coffee in Chelsea without resorting to Charbucks.
Starbucks opened across the street from The Big Cup about a year ago. Is
this a factor in its closing?!
if WE don't "want" Starbucks, why do they insist on opening in Chelsea?
Take Harlem as an example, where the locals (i.e. non-whiny, lefty,
bourgeois types that spend their days lamenting the loss of "local color,"
but rather the intrusion of whiney, lefty imports from Minnesota) ignored
Starbucks and it went away, much to the chagrin of local politicians...who
naturally accused the corporate meanies of ignoring "the poor."
Murry's coffee is pretty whack too. If starbucks coffee is burnt, then
Murry's is definitely charred. ack.
i would like to add that paradise cafe will be switching to all organic and
fairly traded coffee next week and i can tell you now that it's amazing
stuff! a little inside info for the good folks of chelsea. down with
starbucks, up with the locals!
Well that sucks. Big Cup was a everyday stop when I was in New York on
business. The Chelsea boys were a bit intimidating at first but I quickly
came to enjoy it. I directed many a friend there. Big Cup was one of many
reasons I love New York. God don't say Food Bar is next! Regardless, I
still love you NYC!!
I like the taste of Starbucks coffee like anyone else, but not at the
expense of the demise of Big Cup. Aug. 28 is a sad day for Chelsea.
Everyone, no matter where you live, support your local non-chain coffee
place that day.
Oh give me a break. Over the past few years, Big Cup has become an
absolutely filthy cafe. I am surprised that it was never shut down by the
health department. Over a year ago, the floor boards in the back of the
cafe rotted away, AND THEY NEVER REPLACED THEM. The food and coffee and
even the coca cola are horrible. The staff has a horrible attitude and
never clean the place. Big Cup is closing BECAUSE THEY LET THEIR BUSINESS
GO TO HELL OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. Plain and simple.
I'm bummed about Big Cup closing too. I've always stopped there every time
I visit New York. (I live in suburnan Philly.) It's a good place to drop
in and kill some time there. I'll miss that place too. And Starbucks will
NEVER be a decent subsitute.
I love the Big Cup. Is there any hope they can open at another location ?
I will boycot any business that goes into that space.
Big Cup was one of the great stops on the yellow brick road of 8th avenue.
It was amusing when I first ventured into gaydom and later just a welcome
site, place, hang-out. I think there are strategies to survive when 3
starbux open within a few blocks. Btw, try to find one on seventh avenue
south of 34th! Perhaps it's a sign of the times. Fortunately, the hood
still has unreconstructed, affirming signs of "old chelsea"--the rawhide.
i lived and grew up in that yellowish building directly next door to the
big cup for a few years. this is saddening beyond belief. i always assumed
the big cup would be there and keep its "color" in chelsea. and what a
bright color it once was...
but the big cup's landlord was also my landlord when i lived next door. so
when i heard that they could no longer afford their rent and would be
closing down, i must say it was not all that shocking.
When I first moved to the city, it was Christopher street. I was happy to
live in the world known gay mecca. But then that went ghetto. And the
hope switched to 8th Ave. It was a decent place. Lots of eye candy,
decent coffee...Big Cup, I could sit outside and drink a cup of coffee and
watch people. I know it sounds pathetic, but I sat outside in the summer
time and just watched people walk by for hours. Drinking coffee. It was
inexpensive and entertaining. I met many people at Big Cup. There was not
just one type that went there. There was a good mix of people. What
people said about the place was both good and bad. It wasn't about that
though. It was about NYC. It was what being in NYC was about. Being
around a rainbow of people. It just is not Big Cup, but all of the gay
areas in NYC. It went all sex shops, corporate, and all about money.
There really isn't a gay mecca in NYC anymore. What happen to the history
and foundation of Gay rights, and the fact that we actually have taste?
As for Uncommon Grounds... yeah, it is a decent coffee shop, there are 3 of
them, Burlington, Saratoga Springs, and ALbany. But the coffee taste as
good as the person who roasts it. Somedays it taste worse that Starbucks,
and others it is just blah, and then somedays it is decent. There is no
heart in the cafe. The people who work there, work there. What made Big
Cup worth while was personality. The employees actually knew the position
of Professional Barista. I never heard them once disgrace the cafe. It
was all about heart there. No matter what people say... It will be
rememebered and damn, it was a part of Gay NYC! PEACE.
I can't believe The Big Cup is gone. one of my favorite trips to NYC is
visiting this cafe i go to start my vacation and meet all these guys or
give me the latest news, hotspots during my visit (changes all the
time...which is exciting...always something new). But overall, everyone is
so friendly makes feel comfortable...thats what i loved about it (and a few
phone numbers to keep for my next visit)it will definitely be missed.
SO UPSET! I worked at Big Cup 1999-2000 then moved to Palm Beach. I am so
horrified to hear of the closing. When I was a wee gay boy I was going
there for the excitement. It's so sad to see such a great place leave. I'll
always remember working there, and will miss all the good times