They say size doesn't matter.
Taking that adage quite literally is Filipino entrepreneur and former chef Joel Carlos, whose London coffee shop is a mere three square-feet wide. The coffee shop, The Manila Brew, is actually limited to the confines of a red telephone box, an iconic symbol of the city of London.
One might wonder how it's even possible to conduct a business in such a tiny space, but Carlos proves that all it takes is a bit of heart and ingenuity.
"London's smallest coffee shop."
IMAGE: Joel Carlos / Facebook
Made up of a retrofitted red telephone box, The Manila Brew serves your usual coffee shop fare, including espressos, lattes, macchiatos, and yes, since it's in the UK, the eternal staple that is tea. Apart from this, you'll also find non-dairy options for people who are lactose intolerant; as well as hot chocolate, soda, and bottled water for those who are coffee-averse.
Of course, if you get a cup of coffee, you'd probably want a quick snack to go along with it. There are cookies – and owing to his pinoy blood – Carlos also serves ensaymadas, which are soft and sweet dough pastries covered with butter and sugar, and then topped with grated cheese.
They look delicious. IMAGE: Joel Carlos / Facebook
IMAGE: Joel Carlos / Facebook
Its location is also pretty strategic – Sicilian Avenue, which is just a 10-minute leisurely stroll from the British Museum.
Speaking to Yummy.PH, Carlos says he moved to London back in 2013. At the time, he started working as a chef and an online university lecturer for the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
"Although I have extensive experience in the food industry, I am not that good in the beverage side of the business. Learning is never-ending. I (am still learning) the art of coffee and tea preparation. The competition is very tough here. We have to make something different," said Carlos.
IMAGE: Joel Carlos / Facebook
After quitting his chef gig, Carlos wanted to open up his own business, but didn't want to go through the intense stress and hassle that comes with a full-sized brick-and-mortar shop. It was all about keeping things to a minimum; or as he says, "something that requires less equipment and less inventory."
That's how The Manila Brew was born. It only just opened in February 2022, and with the current momentum, things seem to be looking up for Carlos.
If you're in London and want to check out The Manila Brew, here's where you can find it:
Address: Sicilian Ave, London WC1B 4AR, United Kingdom
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, Sunday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
You can also check out The Manila Brew on Facebook and Instagram.
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