ENTERTAINMENT

The Ugly Mug brings coffee, convenience to the City of Poughkeepsie

Geoffrey Wilson

Poughkeepsie Journal

The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee lingers in the air as customers are greeted at the door by the faces of comedy and tragedy.

The Ugly Mug, a new coffee shop next to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House on Market Street in the City of Poughkeepsie.

The masks, commonly associated with theater, serve as the logo for the City of Poughkeepsie's newest coffee shop, The Ugly Mug.

Though the logo for the shop pays tribute to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House next door, owner Ori Brachfeld envisions a spot catering to workers around the city looking for a pick-me-up during their break.

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"We're less Bohemian and more of a grab-and-go, business-class coffee shop," Brachfeld said.

Ori Brachfeld, owner and founder of The Ugly Mug on Market Street in the City of Poughkeepsie.

Convenience is central to the coffee shop's ethos. The Ugly Mug, which opened on Jan. 9, aims to launch a smartphone app in February for customers to place orders, Brachfeld said.

A former board chairman for the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Brachfeld brainstormed several names such as "The Happy Cup" and "Cool Beans" before settling with The Ugly Mug.

"I like to tell my customers facetiously that I'm the face of The Ugly Mug," he said.

Despite his self-deprecation, Brachfeld said he is serious about offering customers local products as a way of "supporting their neighbor." Coffee and tea is sourced from Schapira's Coffee & Tea Company in Pine Plains, dairy comes from Hudson Valley Fresh and bagels and pastries are delivered from The Bagel Shoppe in Fishkill.

Kristen Calderon, a barista at The Ugly Mug, holds a package of Alps Sweet Shop hot chocolate mix, a business based in Beacon.

Customers can find coffee shop standards including lattes, espressos and macchiatos as well, as several tea drinks.

"We're hoping to bring quality, local drinks to the people here," said Breanna Keeler, manager and barista at The Ugly Mug.

Though food is limited to bagels and pastries, the menu will be expanded to include soups, salads and sandwiches, Brachfeld said.

The Ugly Mug is open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 39 Market St. For more information, visit facebook.com/TheUglyMugCoffeeandTea.

Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW