Roosevelt’s Double “R” Coffee House

Trying to cash in on their father’s “Good to the Last Drop” love of coffee, Ted Jr., Kermit, Archie, Ethel and her husband Richard Derby opened their own chain of New York City Coffee Houses long before Howard Schultz got the idea of Starbucks.  

The chain was first called The Brazilian Coffee House, later changed to the Double R.  It was one of the few coffee shops in NY that didn’t use pre-ground beans. (instant coffee).  

Like Starbucks it was intended to serve quality coffee in a social setting where busy New Yorkers could sit, relax, meet friends and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of Java.  They also had a menu where you could buy donuts, cakes, homemade ice cream, tea, lemonade, salads and sandwiches. 

The first coffee shop originally opened in November 1919 in a brownstone located at 108 West 44th Street.  The interior was designed by Ethel.  There was green and gold printed wallpaper of Brazilian bamboo and on the wall hung portraits of celebrated coffee lovers such as Voltaire, Shakespeare and her dad.  

Grouped around the room were 30 small oak tables and chairs.  Each table had a compartment furnished with ink, envelopes and paper. There were dictionaries and encyclopedias that were the online laptops of the day.  

One evening a fire broke out when Edith was at the Double R.  Witnesses said she didn’t move but sat quietly at her table sipping tea while they put out the blaze. 

The chain thrived and eventually grew to 4 locations, but by 1928 the Roosevelt’s interests had changed. They were ready to sell.  According to Kermit’s papers in the Library of Congress the Maxwell House Company made inquiries in 1927.  

The chain was eventually sold to a married couple Zvko and Aneta Magdich who first met at the coffee shop.  Unfortunately, the chain eventually failed after the 1929 stock market crash.   

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Double R postcard advertisement uses a cartoon by Herb Roth and appeared in the New York World (1860 - 1931)