The Monkey Cup

We are Laura and Alfredo, a married couple from Venezuela who moved to Harlem, NYC, in January 2013, escaping the tyranny of our government. We sought a new life filled with hope and the chance to help those who remain in Venezuela, facing fear, misery, and hardship.

Upon arriving, we fell in love with the authenticity and strength of Harlem’s community, wanting to belong to such an inspiring neighborhood. As a coffee lover, Alfredo struggled to find a café that offered quality coffee, friendly service, and affordable prices for artists and musicians. This inspired us to create our own space, leading us to a tiny store for rent on Amsterdam Avenue between 145th and 146th Street.

Despite the challenges, we brought our vision to life by designing and building everything ourselves. We aimed to create a jungle-themed coffee shop reminiscent of home, where Alfredo crafted the woodwork, and I worked on the ceiling. We named it “The Monkey Cup,” reflecting Alfredo’s childhood love for monkeys, sparked by a whimsical poster his mother gave him when he was five. He joyfully declared, “I’m that monkey!”—a symbol of love and playfulness that has followed him ever since.

Venezuela’s vibrant rainforests and the clever, spirited monkeys within them inspired us deeply. To Alfredo, monkeys symbolize joy and connection, which is why we poured our hearts into The Monkey Cup. It’s more than a coffee shop; it’s our dream, our future, and a place filled with love.