Cool Sips to open 'dirty' drinks shop on the Upper East Side
Following the success of his first two Cool Sips locations, founder Andrew Moger felt the time was right to open a third in a different kind of neighborhood.
The "dirty" drink shop made its New York City debut at Rockefeller Center last year on March 1. That opening was quickly followed by a location in Manhattan's Seaport neighborhood that opened in late June.
Now Cool Sips is opening on the Upper East Side at 1218 Lexington Ave. in a 1,000-square-foot space that has sat vacant since Covid.
'We chose the Upper East Side Location because really wanted to see how the concept does in a more residential neighborhood,' Moger told the New York Business Journal. 'If we are successful there, then there's a lot more white space for growth.'
Cool Sips sells dirty drinks, which are beverages that take any base liquid — such as soda, an energy drink or iced tea — and add flavored syrups and creams to it.
There are three categories on Cool Sips' menu: Signature Sips, starting at $6.25; Stuffed Sips, starting at $7.24; and Create Your Own Sip.
'I think what people really like is the ability to customize and personalize drinks to their choice,' Moger said. 'I also think people are looking for affordable treats, which is what we are. As much as we think of ourselves as a beverage concept, we also think of ourselves as a treat concept.'
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Cool Sips will bring its dirty drinks to the Upper East Side on Saturday.
Alex Staniloff
Cool Sips' reception in New York City has been strong. Moger said the company's year-over-year sales at Rockefeller Center are meaningfully higher. He points to a significant increase in large group orders and catering as one of the main drivers.
The new location will offer the same core menu while also featuring two exclusive "Gossip Girl"-themed drinks after the TV show set in the neighborhood. The new Cool Sips is also in an area that Moger jokes should be called 'toothache alley' with candy store BonBon and luncheonette Lexington Candy Shop also on the block.
'There's a high density of schools in the area,' Moger said. 'Our brand resonates with millennials. We think our block on the Upper East Side is really optimally located.'
Cool Sips' new shop is also in front of a Hampton Jitney bus stop.
'That particular stop gets a lot of people,' he said. 'We expect crowds during the summertime.'
Ripco's JP Pirraglia and Dillon Ross represented Cool Sips in this deal with Time Equities Inc., the landlord.
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