Duane Reade Gets New York Abuzz With Launch of Premium Packaged Coffee Blends
Largest NYC Drug Store Chain Debuts Batch-Roasted 100% Arabica Coffees in Four Delicious Blends; Latest Addition to the Newly Launched DR DelishTM Line Will Assist the New York Police & Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund
NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – January 25, 2010) – For New Yorkers who typically rush in and out of their local Duane Reade store, the drugstore chain is giving them a reason to “stop and smell the coffee,” as it launches four new premium packaged coffee blends under the DR Delish™ exclusive brand.
New Yorkers can now wake up to find Morning Rush, Fire Fighter’s Joe, Polo Grounds Decaffeinated and Five Points Imperial Blend on Duane Reade store shelves throughout New York City.
In addition, with the sale of each bag of DR Delish™ coffee through November 15, 2010, Duane Reade will make a donation to the New York Police & Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, with a minimum guarantee of $10,000 [for the year].
“We’re very excited about the launch of these premium coffees and believe that they reflect the character and flavor of this great city,” said Joe Jackman, acting chief marketing officer at Duane Reade. “Importantly, we’re also honored to support a respected New York charity that helps to ensure that the families of those who put their lives on the line to protect us are also protected.”
“Our partnership with Duane Reade will help us to continue the vitally important work of supporting the families of fallen policemen and firefighters in this city. It’s a great example of two iconic organizations that are part of the fabric of New York coming together for a worthy cause,” said Stephen Dannhauser, president and CEO of the New York Police & Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund.
Made from 100% Arabica beans, each DR Delish™ coffee variety is from a high-grown current crop, which means it was grown at high altitude and picked within the current year to guarantee the finest quality bean. Produced in small batches, each blend is individually batch roasted to ensure quality and consistency of flavor.
“We know New Yorkers, and New Yorkers know their coffee,” said Joe Magnacca, chief merchandising officer at Duane Reade. “That’s why we went to great lengths to develop the highest quality blends that will be a real eye-opener to even the most discriminating coffee connoisseur. Better yet, New Yorkers can make them a part of their daily routines because they are value priced for every day enjoyment.”
Following is a brief background on the DR Delish™ coffees:
The Morning Rush is a superior, medium-roast Breakfast Blend that includes prime Brazilian beans.
The Five Points Imperial Blend is a full-bodied, rich-tasting blend featuring premium beans from Ethiopia and Sumatra.
The Fire Fighter’s Joe is a dark-roast Guatemalan blend that delivers a bold, flavorful cup of coffee.
The Polo Grounds Decaffeinated is made from 100% Colombian beans, and features the trademarked Swiss Water process, which uses pure water to gently remove the bean’s caffeine while preserving the coffee’s distinct character and flavor.
Each coffee blend is pre-ground to deliver a consistent cup every time. The unique re-sealable bag features a one-way valve that ensures freshness. The valve allows carbon dioxide to vent from the package without allowing oxygen to enter.
Each 12 oz. bag of DR Delish coffee is priced at $5.99.
Duane Reade launched DR Delish™, its new exclusive brand of delectable food and beverage items, in late September 2009 with 25 unique items. By year’s end, the DR Delish product lineup featured more than 100 different items.
About Duane Reade
Founded in 1960, Duane Reade is the largest drug store chain in New York City. In keeping with company’s brand vision of New York Living Made Easy, Duane Reade provides New Yorkers with prescriptions, health products and services, beauty products and services, food and convenience items for daily life in the City… everything for “How I Feel,” “How I Look,” and “What I Need Now.” The company operates 250+ stores throughout the metropolitan New York region.
About New York Police & Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund
Since its inception in 1985 by Rusty Staub, the New York Police & Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund has distributed more than $122 million to the families of New York City police and fire personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fun was initially created to assist families of New York City fire fighters and police officers, it now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority officers, as well. Starting in 1987, the Benefit Fund provided 320 families with annual financial assistance; now, the commitment has grown to approximately 700 families. The Benefit Fund gives financial assistance to grieving families immediately after they lose their loved one, and the Benefit Fund’s goal is to raise enough funds to provide meaningful annual distributions to its beneficiaries for the remainder of their lives. For more information, please visit www.answerthecall.org.