illy Promotes Coffee and Connection with A Cup of Love Pop-Up in Hudson Yards

September 29 to October 1, coffee becomes an invitation to pause
and share memorable moments inspired by the warmth of Italian culture.

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This September, illycaffè, the Italian coffee company known for its focus on quality and its distinctive coffee culture, unveils "A Cup of Love," a three-day experiential takeover at Hudson Yards celebrating National Coffee Day (September 29) and International Coffee Day (October 1).

Inspired by the warm, welcoming spirit of the traditional Italian cortile, where coffee has long been a reason to gather, the experience reimagines this timeless ritual as a contemporary piazza in the heart of Manhattan. It is an invitation to slow down, put smartphones aside and rediscover the simple pleasure of genuine conversation over a cup of coffee.

According to a 2024 study from the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, meaningful face-to-face interactions are associated with greater well-being, highlighting the value of making time for personal connection as digital interactions increasingly stand in for in-person ones. While coffee does not necessarily create connection, it can create a reason to sit down and make space for it. This idea is at the heart of illy's "A Cup of Love" experience, which invites New Yorkers to put down their phones and reconnect over a shared cup of coffee.

Through a dedicated online platform, visitors can reserve a complimentary "A Cup of Love" session and invite someone to join them for a first date, a long-overdue catchup, a family reunion, a thank-you coffee, or simply a chance to reconnect with a friend. Each reservation includes a coffee pairing from a rotating lineup of local pastry partners and a seat in one of two dedicated lounge areas designed for conversation.

Anchoring the space is a newsstand inspired coffee kiosk and adjoining cabana, featuring a tiled wall adorned with red love letters. After grabbing a coffee, visitors are invited to write their own "A Cup of Love" on a postcard, which can be a note to a friend, a partner, or a stranger, and add it to the wall or take it home as a keepsake. Visitors are also encouraged to share a photo or video from their "A Cup of Love" session or a preview of the love letter they wrote on socials, tagging @illy_us and #ACupofLove.

"With 'A Cup of Love,' we wanted to give New Yorkers a reason to put the phone down, sit across from someone, and just talk -says Cristian Arcangeli, Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Strategy at illy North America -After all, the best relationships begin with a shared moment, and in my opinion, there's no better catalyst for that than a cup of coffee."

Consumers can visit illy's A Cup of Love pop-up in Hudson Yards' Public Square and Gardens from Tuesday, September 29 through Thursday, October 1, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reservations are available in 30-minute increments, with four reservation slots offered every half hour. For more information or to book a reservation, please visit www.illy.com/en-us/illy-hudson-yards-event.

About illycaffè
An Italian family-owned company founded in Trieste in 1933, illycaffè has always pursued the mission of offering the best coffee to the world. It produces a unique 100% Arabica blend composed of 9 different ingredients. Every day, more than 10 million cups of illy coffee are enjoyed in bars, restaurants, hotels, single-brand cafés, homes and offices in over 135 countries, where the company is present through subsidiaries and distributors. Everything that is 'made in illy' is enriched with beauty and art, starting with the logo designed by James Rosenquist, the illy Art Collection cups decorated by more than 135 international artists, and coffee machines designed by internationally renowned designers. With the aim of spreading the culture of quality among coffee growers, baristas and coffee lovers, the company developed its University of Coffee, which now offers courses in 24 countries around the world. In 2025, illycaffè generated consolidated revenue of €700 million.

About Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards is the newest neighborhood on Manhattan's West Side developed by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group. A template for the future of cities, Hudson Yards is Manhattan's first LEED Gold Certified Neighborhood; home to leading retail brands in every category from luxury to fast fashion; restaurants and food experiences by world-renowned chefs and restaurateurs; dynamic cultural institutions and attractions including Edge, Vessel and The Shed; modern residences offering unparalleled amenities; more than five acres of public plazas, gardens, and groves; the world's first Equinox Hotel; state-of-the-art commercial office space for industry leaders including KKR, Tapestry, BlackRock and more; and eventually a new 750-seat public school. For more information on Hudson Yards, please visit HudsonYardsNewYork.com or follow on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok.

SOURCE illycaffè