Wish You Were Here Group / Ruby’s 20th Anniversary Book
For more than 20 years, Ruby’s has brought Australian cafe culture to New York City, becoming a downtown icon and internationally recognized brand in the process.
In the spring of 2002, Ruby’s opened their first location in a hole-in-the-wall space on a quiet block of Mulberry St in Nolita, the now famous neighborhood Ruby’s helped cultivate.
Taking inspiration from Australia’s cafe culture, Ruby’s owners wanted to bring to New York City the great coffee and fresh, uncomplicated cuisine they grew up with on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The laid-back atmosphere and approachable menu made Ruby’s a local favorite, while expat-Australians, including well-known actors, musicians and fashion models regularly came by to get a taste of home.
Ruby’s soon became a downtown institution, with the cafe’s easy-going vibe and intimate space providing the perfect hangout for an emerging scene of local and international creatives.
As Nolita grew in popularity, so too did Ruby’s, and the cafe evolved, first by expanding their original location to accommodate more guests, and then by venturing into other neighborhoods throughout Manhattan and the world.
On the occasion of their 20th anniversary, Ruby’s invited me to tell their incredible story in a special, commemorative book, celebrating the brand’s unique history.
Working with the owners, employees and regulars, past and present, I collected and chronicled the anecdotes and stories, recipes, menus and memories that have shaped Ruby’s as a brand.
Ruby’s is a part of Wish You Were Here Group, a hospitality group which creates unforgettable dining experiences inspired by coastal cultures and cuisines.
Partnering with Wish You Were Here, I have worked on several of the group’s restaurant brands, developing brand concepts and copy strategies.
