Swimsuit Coffee owner Tait Burge is swimming against the tide of café closures, turning a dark and grungy establishment into a light and breezy coastal-inspired café within weeks.
“After consulting with a mentor of mine, I made the decision to open my own coffee shop in 2019. With the help of some talented friends, I was able to complete the café’s fit out within 19 days,” says Tait.
With the assistance of close friend-turned-business partner William Bridewell-Roberts, Tait has already opened a second Swimsuit Coffee location in Miramar, and is well on his way to achieving his goal of opening three sites by the time he’s 30.
“Will’s recently come onboard as a shareholder but has been around to help me from the beginning. It’s nice to have someone alongside me on this journey,” says Tait.
“We realised recently we’ve only spent about 10 months in a pandemic free environment. To have not only survived but thrived amid these lockdowns is so rewarding.”
With retro furniture, light colours and an appetite for good tunes, Swimsuit has paid clear attention to its ambience.
“We focused on this whole vibe of just softening up the space and putting in colour. They are subconscious ways to make people feel more comfortable,” says Tait.
The relaxing atmosphere is paired with People’s Coffee, a roaster Tait chose because it’s certified B Corp and follows a fair trade philosophy.
“We use their Don Wilfredo blend, which has a mix of Colombian, Peru, and Guatemalan origins, and is a complex, full-bodied flavour blend of chocolate and creamy caramel overtones,” says Tait.
For the hungry visitors there’s four types of scones, two versions of house-made baguettes and a meat or vegan toastie option to see you through the day.
“Our cheese scones are our biggest hit, especially toasted on the grill with a bit of hot sauce, you can’t go wrong,” says Tait.
Tait says he started the café with the premise of keeping it simple, wanting to create a costal café with excellent espresso and service.
“What I really wanted to do was create a community café,” he says. “It’s been really quite amazing to see what has come from this space since we started, and it’s thanks to the staff here,” says Tait.
“It’s about more than just making good espresso.”
Swimsuit Coffee
38 Dixon Street, Wellington, New Zealand, 6011
Open Monday to Friday 7am – 4pm and Saturday 9am – 3pm
(64) 4 260 0045
This article appears in the June 2022 edition of BeanScene. Subscribe HERE.
