Take a Break, Grab a Cup Thursday

January 20th is the National Coffee Association’s National Coffee Break Day. Across the nation, participating coffee shops will brew up special promotions—including free coffee, coupons, discounts, tasting events, contests and more—to encourage customers to take a break from their day with a cup of coffee.

The day is part of a larger, yearlong commemoration to celebrate coffee’s iconic place in American history and culture as the National Coffee Association kicks off its 2011 Centennial year.

The coffee break is uniquely American, dating back to the 1880s when working women in Stoughton, Wisconsin, took a break to go home for chores and a cup of coffee from the ever-present pot on the stove. What better way to mark NCA’s 100 years of service to the U.S. coffee industry than to hold a national coffee break?

Echoing the celebration of coffee history and culture, the campaign’s anchor website compiles an array of multimedia resources submitted by the industry, including milestones, current and vintage logos, ads and packaging, nostalgic TV commercials, movie and show clips, and much more. It’s a dynamic and interactive online experience that’s meant to be both educational and fun.

You can find participants in cities across the country, as well as online. Participating New York locations include a few in Lower Manhattan. So drop by Financier, for instance, at 62 Stone Srreet (between Mill Lane and Hanover Square), Cedar Street at 35 Cedar Street or at the World Financial Center in Battery Park City, and you can get a free small coffee with any pastry or savory purchase!