What happens when you mix Veneziano Coffee Roasters’ coffee with urban art culture, and serve it up with friendly banter seven days a week? You get Crooked Spire café.
Owner Mike Matich says the Midland-based café is a communal space for a meeting of minds, and a place where creativity, tunes, and coffee are in constant supply.
“I always wanted to own a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop in the city, but I actually did the exact opposite. An opportunity came up to move into an old warehouse space in the eastern suburbs of Perth. I was too afraid to ask my accountant how I was going to afford it, so I just signed the lease, and we went from there,” Mike says.
The name ‘Crooked Spire’ pays homage to the Crooked Spire Church in Chesterfield, England. Made from wood and lead, it was added to the church in 1362, but a lack of skilled workmen resulted in the unique and now famous shape.
The same eclectic, urban artwork can be seen all around the café, with murals created by local artists.
“We have huge Chesterfield couches and timber work benches where customers can enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the urban art on the walls,” says Mike.
“It’s a really large space, with a stage off to the side, a large boardroom, a small meeting room, as well as a function room that holds up to 300 people. We can host weddings, parties, church groups, concerts, and all sorts of gatherings.”
Crooked Spire brews Veneziano Coffee Roasters’ Crave Blend on a La Marzocco Linea PB three-group espresso machine, which sits alongside a Mahlkonig EK43, and Mazzer grinder.
“I really love how well-balanced the Crave Blend is and how it cuts through milk. I also love the acidity, and just think it’s a really pleasant-tasting coffee to drink,” Mike says.
A range of breakfast options helps sustain hungry customers, including Chips Benedict served with poached eggs, bacon, and hollandaise sauce on a bed of potato chips, avocado smash, and buttermilk pancakes.
Mike opened a second Crooked Spire café in Henley Brook in 2022. He says it “embraces the vibe of the original venue” and features grab-and-go breakfast and brunch options, and other light snacks.
“Owning a café is an emotional roller-coaster, but meeting new people every day from all walks of life is so exciting. It allows you to feel so connected to the community, and I’m thankful for that every day,” says Mike.
Crooked Spire
71 Victoria St, Midland, Western Australia, 6056
Open Monday to Friday 6am — 2pm, weekends 7am — 2pm
This article appears in the August 2023 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.