It’s no surprise that a lot are looking for ways to get away, and Pangasinan is definitely one stop you'd want to take if you're as obssessed with coffee as we are.
The coffee shop ag.KAPI.ta on Daang Kalikasan Road, Pangasinan not only offers customers a chance to escape, but a safe way to reconnect with nature.
It’s right in the middle of rice fields, surrounded by lush greens. The air is fresh and the space is big enough to accommodate customers without compromising safety.
Watch the Summit OG interview here:
The staff also discourages visitors to come in groups to prevent any chances of the virus spreading.
“Naisip namin, ngayong pandemic, problema ngayon is mental kasi nasa bahay tayo, stressed sa trabaho, stressed dahil walang nakikitang bago,” ag.KAPI.ta owners Mawi Rillorta Jr. and Zelle Verzosa Bendito told Summit OG.
The husband and wife said the concept for their cafe was inspired by the minimalist coffee shops in Japan that are often located outdoors.
“Coffee lovers talaga kami,” Zelle explained. “Kapag nagta-travel kami sa ibang bansa, ang unang hinahanap namin ‘yung mga coffee shops na on trend.”
Before they started their quaint coffee shop in the middle of a rice field, Mawi worked aboard ships. He also waited tables at Sofitel’s Spiral Buffet. “Parang hindi ako sapat na waiter ako,” he said. So he started trying his hand in making coffee.
“Kunyari may order ng cappuccino, ako ang gumagawa. Kahit hindi ko kaya, sabi ko, ‘Someday, magkakaroon ako ng sarili kong coffee machine and coffee shop,” he shared.
They started with a P150,000 budget. “Kulang po pala ‘yon,” Zelle said. “‘Yun ‘yung hardest part,” she admitted.
But they pushed through because they have always dreamed of putting up their own cafe.
“Hindi namin ine-expect na magbo-boom siya,” Zelle said. In fact, they thought it would be a simple coffee shop.
“Makaisip kayo ng isang negosyo, na sa tingin ninyo buong puso ‘yung pagmamahal ninyo doon sa negosyo na ‘yon, gawin niyo,” Mawi said.
“Paano mo nga ba malalaman kung hindi mo susubukan?”
From The Candy Bulletin Community
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