Coffee on the go? Here are 4 unique coffee shops in Luzon you should check out

If you’re looking for new ways to try your coffee, then these coffee shops are perfect for you!

Hit by the pandemic, these coffee enthusiasts decided to share their love for coffee with a unique and creative twist. Whether it’s perched on a motorcycle or bicycle, these coffee shops offer a whole different experience.

1. Sari-sari store to coffee store

Typica Coffee went viral online after netizens found out the story behind the quaint and Japanese-inspired coffee shop in Taytay, Rizal.

According to its owner, Andrew Magana, the coffee shop used to be a sari-sari store before. With his passion for coffee-making, he decided to turn the store into his own coffee shop.

"Japanese-inspired kasi Japan, it's not a coffee-growing region. Ibig sabihin wala silang prino-produce na coffee pero magaling sila sa immigration ng coffee. When it comes to brewing 'yung coffee, pag-process nila, doon ako humahanga sa kanila," said Andrew.

Typica Coffee, said Andrew, wasn't his first venture into the coffee business. According to him, in January 2020, he and his business partners opened their own coffee store, but because of the pandemic, they soon had to close it down.

Despite this, Andrew said that he didn't want to give up on his dreams, especially since he had almost five years of coffee-making experience already in his bag.

After shelling out over Php 80,000, he is now able to earn over Php 15,000 to Php 20,000 each day, with his coffee drinks priced at a range of Php 80 to Php 100.

2. Coffee shop from a car trunk

Instead of opening their own physical store, two friends decided to operate their own coffee shop with just the use of their secondhand car.

Just last August, the pair, who worked together as baristas in the past, decided to open Resonate Coffee, an instant coffee shop parked just at the side of a road in San Mateo, Rizal.

Since they sell black coffee, the two said they knew it was a risk since some Filipinos liked sweet coffee.

"From the start alam namin na sugal 'yung advocay namin na i-introduce 'yung black coffee," owner Wilbert Morada said. "Mahilig sila sa sugar and sweet coffee so una medyo challenging siya pero na-eenjoy  na namin siya. Iba't-ibang tao nakikilala namin na nag-eenjoy din sa ginagawa namin na pagpapakilala ng black coffee."

Co-owner John Lawrence Santos added, "'Pag naririnig natin kape or coffee maiisip natin mapait siya onti, medyo sunog lasa niya. Itong in-ooffer namin 'yung from Mt. Apo, from Davao, nalalasahan ng customers more on fruitiness, natural sweet like strawberries. Natutuwa sila na nalalaman nila, nalalasahan nila na parang hindi siya kape."

After shelling out just Php 20,000, the two now earn over Php 700 to Php 1,000 per day as they sell each cup of coffee at around Php 60 to Php 150.

3. Coffee shop perched on a motorcycle

The Coffee Master, on the other hand, was born out of a love for adventure, motorcycles and coffee.

Lester, the owner, said that he started his coffee business in Bulacan back in December after he got tired of working from home as a programmer. After partnering with his friend who was also a Hotel and Restaurant Management student, they decided to open their own coffee store perched on top of a motorcycle.

According to Lester, he was inspired to make this unique twist to their business after he saw multiple ideas on social media. With a capital of Php 100,000, the two sell their coffee at a price range of Php 75 to Php 120. Slowly but surely, they said, they were able to gain back their capital.

4. Coffee brought by bicycle riders

Unlike the others, Café Kalsada, based in Laguna, brings coffee to its customers not on a motorcycle but rather a bicycle.

The coffee shop was opened last October after two baristas fell in love with biking amid the pandemic and decided to combine the two things they love together.

The two people behind the shop met in a band. Rome Cuaresma worked in a resort as a barista while Renz Barotilla worked as a barista abroad. When Renz came home to the Philippines, they thought of a business they could start together.

“Masaya naman talaga kami sa ginagawa naming. I mean, tyaka nakakapagpasaya kami ng tao na gumagaya na rin sa idea na rin namin. Doon palang panalong-panalo na kami,” Renz said.

After shelling out Php 30,000, the pair was able to regain it back in just two months. Selling their coffee for Php 55 to Php 80, they’re able to earn Php 2,000 per day. —Kaela Malig/JCB, GMA News