The city needs more coffee shops—the old-fashioned, swivel-stool, formica-counter places that stayed open all night and let you linger for hours without ever informing you about where you coffee was grown and if it was fair trade.
I bet this place, on Fifth Avenue and 21st Street, was that kind. The owners of the deli that now occupies the spot just took their current sign down for some reason, revealing the old-school coffee shop sign behind it.
This should be their permanent sign, no?
Tags: coffee shop signs, Coffee Shops in New York City, ghost signs, New York City signage, New York in the 1970s, Old store signs, old-fashioned coffee shops
Ephemeral New York 
April 17, 2010 at 2:53 am |
With a little cleaning up it would look great. And then they could make this into one of the choice locations for lunch.
April 17, 2010 at 3:47 pm |
I’d be fine with them leaving it all scruffy. It’s charming!
April 18, 2010 at 9:57 pm |
Eisenberg’s is right around the corner on Fifth between 21 and 22. It’s exactly what you’re looking for.
April 19, 2010 at 12:51 pm |
Imagine that! A return to old fashioned styles and signage. A welcome change from the generic logos adorning so called “cafes” like Starbucks.
April 23, 2010 at 3:20 pm |
This place appears to be one of those “gourmet deli” grocery stores that often have the self-serving salad bars with the sneeze-guard glass. I wouldn’t get my hopes up that they would convert to an old fashion coffee shop. This sign will probably be covered up by a new one in a couple of weeks. It would have been nice to see the old coffee shop for comparison.
My dad owned a coffee shop restaurant, Duke’s, on the corner of 2nd Ave and 21st Street in the late 60s – early 70s, with a big counter and a few table. It did a lot of business from the police academy down the street. I need to find a photo of it to share. Later on it became a KFC, and at soem point n upscale seafood restaurant. They had since added a second floor and converted it to a medical clinic.
April 14, 2017 at 11:11 am |
I think I might have gone there on my way to SVA in the morning.
May 9, 2010 at 12:42 am |
This is actually the most-recently former “Shine Deli” at 922 Broadway at 21st Street. The large awning was removed and replaced with a smaller one with the new name. The deli features a large self-serve (yes, with sneeze guards) and a deli/sandwich counter.
April 14, 2017 at 7:41 pm |
Love that sign! And Eisenberg’s……please don’t ever leave; that would break my heart.