Eppen-Smith building to the right
LIC’s forgotten coffee factory.
History
This building was originally home to the Eppens-Smith coffee & tea company. Eppens-smith seems to have moved into this location in after the building was constructed around 1909.
The roots of Eppens-smith can be tracked back to one Thomas Reid. Born in Bridgeport, England, he came to the United States as a boy, and started his business career as a grocer’s clerk in Brooklyn. Within three months after landing, he bought out his employer. He entered the wholesale coffee-roasting business at 105 Murray Street, New York, in 1855, in partnership with a Mr. Townsend under the style of the Globe Mills, which were the predecessors of the Eppens Smith Co. now in Warren Street.
Mr. Townsend died the first year of the Globe Mills’ existence; and Thomas Reid continued without a partner until 1863, when he became associated with John F. Pupke, as Pupke & Reid. The business was then at 269 Washington Street. Thomas Reid was resourceful and enterprising; also he had vision. He saw the day of package coffee coming, and nearly “beat” John Arbuckle to it. As early as 1861 we find him advertising in the City Directory, “spices put up in every variety of package.”
Between 1855 and 1865 there were only half-a-dozen wholesale coffee roasters on Manhattan Island, and Thomas Reid was their leader. Much of his work was roasting for the trade, and this undoubtedly interfered with the logical development of his package-coffee ideas.
Reid eventually died in 1902, but the Eppens-Smith company obviously continued onward, and attempted to catch up with competitors in the packaged coffee trade. A big part of that was the factory in LIC.
1947 view of the factory. The only changes have been billboards and a shipping dock
They acquired at least one patent for a device to package coffees & teas. One might assume several of such machines were located within this building. The company remained at this location through at least the early 1950s.
Coffee packaging machine.
The factory did have a rail siding located along its northern side, though it went unused after eppens-smith left. The 2 other tracks here are still used today by the Long Island Rail Road to move their diesel hauled trains from Hunterspoint avenue to the LIC coach yard.
Active LIRR tracks around back. The siding was located along the rear of the building, on the left.
After Eppens-Smith’s either closed up or left this location, the building has been split up into various workshops and lofts. Today is home to Mavi New York, Nomad Architecture, Postal Envelope, Euro Media, and the Thomas Amato company.
Rooftop
Since the building is currently very well occupied, there’s nothing abandoned here to explore. However, the rooftop is one hell of a nice view. Getting to it required some sleuthing, as one of the doors is both locked and alarmed. The roof is now the home to some AT&T cell towers.
Queens Midtown tunnel entrance, and LIC/Midtown skyline.
North towards astoria, Queensboro bridge in view.
Northeast, up the tracks into Sunnyside Yard.
East, looking down at the Blanchard building.
Southwest, with Wheelspur yard in the foreground.
Southwest, Fresh Direct and the Pulaski Bridge
Southwest again, towards Manhattan, the east river & newtown creek.
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I was the Eppens Smith’s (Holland House Coffee & Tea Importers,) traveling “office boy” for about 2 years in Secaucus, N.J., where they had recently moved from L.I.C, N.Y.
I began on my 17th birthday, job contingent on me passing my driver’s licence within that week–I did. I had the green Buick station wagon as my vehicle and from the first day I traveled 5 days a week to lower Manhattan to Fore St. office to pick up small brown bags of imported coffees and Teas from around the world–then to Banker’s Trust Blg. to deliver the bank deposit of checks and cash. Became a damn good driver fast and met some super people (an occasional dump head too.) .
Pleasant surprise finding this post,
Thanks for the memories,
C.
Mr Eastland, my dad Vince Clune was the Comptroller for Eppens Smith both before and after the move. I remember the L I C building as well as the ‘new’ Seacacus building.
My dad frank Thomas was the warehouse forman for over 30 years. remember going there as a young kid
Nov 14, 2018
For Ken Thomas:
Was your Father ever called Frankie? I seem to remember that name but I thought I recalled it as Frankie Thomas.
My Father worked at Eppens Smith when it was in L.I.C. and then went with them to Secaucus.
I am sure it was Al Potterton that brought my Father in. I don’t recall what work Al did.
My Father eventually was the Shipping and Receiving Mgr in Secaucus. His name was Patrick Carey.
I know while they were in Secaucus they were eventually taken over by Noma Lights (I think that was the name) and eventually my Father lost his job. If I have my dates right I think that was in the mid 70’s.
I used to go over at night once I got my driver’s license and a car and pick up my Father after work. At the time we still lived in New York (Washington Heights) so it was quite a trip for him to get to NJ.
I remember at one time one of the Eppens Smith truck drivers would take my Father home but I don’t recall if that was in NY or NJ. You may know his name. The last name was Jackson and I believe the first name was Eddie.
I don’t know why I happened to think of this company today and decide to look it up. I was quite surprised to find all the information and pictures. I am glad I looked.
My father, George Sheridan worked for Eppens Smith for years! He learned the coffee business from the bottom up and worked in both buildings. I remember Mr Clune and Mr Thomas very well!!!
From what I hear, it was the best coffee ever.
Hi Charlie Clune. I worked in the office with your father Vince. He was a nice guy. My name is actually Charles Fox, as I was known back then at Eppens Smith in Secaucus, where I started at 17. I write novels and poetry now under Charles Eastland. I remember Vincent Depetro, my boss at the Tea Desk (after my promo) and the secretary Gloria. Vince was protective of his Tea dept. crew. Gloria was an awesome person. I wish I knew how she made out in life.
Charles
Best wishes to all
My dad and his brother, Mike and Iggy Vernola, drove a truck for 30 years for them. I worked on the Coffee canning line for a few months while in school. I recall going to work with my dad as a kid, riding in his truck and both locations. LIC and Secaucus. I remember Frankie Thomas and Mr Hedin.
Our neighbor in Glen Ridge, NJ was Frank Eppens Hodson. As a child in the 1950’s I recall going to a big building and my dad was given several big wooden boxes we used for fall leaf collection. Think they were tea shipping containers.
Hi, I’m looking for help in identifying the age of a 1lb tin of roasted and ground coffee, from the defense subsistence supply center, the can is sealed and the coffee sounds to be dry and crisp inside the can. the can is undamaged and is complete with the key, I can supply photos if it helps, regards Nick
Please post pictures! I would love to see that can again. It’s been years since I saw an unopened can!
My grandfather’s sister married Julius Eppens. He’s a family Icon
We still have Julius personal coffee grinder. My father worked for Eppens & Smith from the 30’s onward.