NYS Senator Lea Webb presented Tom’s Coffee, Cards, & Gifts with a New York State Empire Award. The NYS Empire Award is the highest award a NYS Senator can bestow upon businesses and organizations in their district. 

For more than four decades, Tom’s Coffee, Cards, & Gifts has served as a beloved cornerstone of the Binghamton community, building meaningful relationships with generations of customers while continually adapting to the changing retail landscape. Tom’s has served as an anchor business for Main Street in Binghamton, citing 225,000 cars driving on the street daily. 

“I am proud to be able to honor Tom’s with an Empire Award,” said Senator Lea Webb. “This business has been around for more than four decades, and has continued to provide residents with coffee, gifts, prom dresses, and a space where they feel welcome. Tom has created a community gem that connects local artisans and businesses with the region.” 

Founded in 1982 by Tom Kelleher, the store began as a small gourmet coffee and crafts shop when specialty coffee was still relatively uncommon in the region. In its first year, the business sold just over 1,000 pounds of coffee. Today, Tom’s Coffee Cards and Gifts offers more than 125 coffee roasts and has surpassed the remarkable milestone of selling over one million pounds of coffee, equivalent to roughly 30 million cups served to the community over the years.

“Thank you to Senator Webb for choosing Tom’s as the recipient of this award. We are extremely honored! It’s wonderful that it also comes on the week of our 44th anniversary of being in business! Our community has always strongly supported us, and we have always strongly supported our community. Small, locally owned businesses are the backbone of our community, and no one supports our small businesses more than Senator Webb. When it comes down to supporting our community, small businesses step up. When there is a fundraiser for schools, community organizations, a health care fundraiser, or a community emergency, it’s small businesses that step up to the plate. Our business gives back over $50,000 a year to the community that supports us so strongly,” said Tom Kellher, founder of Tom’s Coffee & Gifts. 

What distinguishes Tom’s Coffee Cards and Gifts is not only its longevity but its deep commitment to the people it serves. Beyond gourmet coffee, the business has become known for its wide selection of greeting cards, handcrafted gifts, chocolates, clothing, jewelry, prom dresses, and products created by local artisans. The store reflects the character and creativity of the Greater Binghamton community, supports local makers, and provides a welcoming space for customers of all ages.

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