Cliff's Launches Naudie Blend With Utica Coffee
Cliff's Local Market teams with Utica Coffee Roasting Co. and the Utica Comets on a Dark Chocolate Cherry blend.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Coffee
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Cliff's Local Market has launched the Naudie Blend, a Dark Chocolate Cherry coffee developed exclusively for the chain by Utica Coffee Roasting Co. The partnership also includes branded coffee cups featuring the Utica Comets, Cliff's Local Market and Utica Coffee.
Why it matters
The collaboration connects a locally owned convenience chain with a Utica roaster and the local hockey team in a single product rollout. It brings the regional partnership into customers' everyday coffee routines.
Cliff's operates 21 convenience stores in central New York, and the Clifford family has run the business for over 60 years. The Naudie Blend was created exclusively for Cliff's by Utica Coffee Roasting Co., and pricing and availability timelines were not provided.
The players
Cliff's Local Market
Cliff's Local Market is a locally owned and operated chain of 21 convenience stores in central New York, run by the Clifford family for more than 60 years.
Utica Coffee Roasting Co.
Utica Coffee Roasting Co. is a Utica-based coffee roaster that developed the Naudie Blend exclusively for Cliff's Local Market.
Utica Comets
The Utica Comets are the American Hockey League affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, based in Utica, New York.
The details
Cliff's hosted a Coffee With the Comets event on Monday, Nov. 2, from 8 to 10 a.m. at its North Utica location at 385 N. Genesee St., where Utica Comets players Ryan Schmelzer and Cam Squires attended.
Timeline
Monday, Nov. 2: Coffee With the Comets event, 8 to 10 a.m., North Utica location
November 2026: Naudie Blend launch
Culture Shift
The Naudie Blend extends Cliff's Coffee With the Comets format from a single in-store event into a co-branded retail product. It reflects the growing use of regional sports teams as local marketing partners by independent convenience chains.
Customers who buy coffee at Cliff's can now choose the Naudie Blend, which comes in branded cups featuring the Utica Comets and Utica Coffee. The partnership gives Mohawk Valley coffee drinkers a locally made flavor option at the store they already use.
The takeaway
Local partnerships can turn an everyday purchase like a convenience-store coffee into a way to support neighboring businesses and teams. Readers who want to try the Naudie Blend can check their nearest Cliff's location for availability.
Further reading
For more local roasters and brews, explore the Coffee section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CStore Decisions.
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