Loving local entails helping artisans and growers. coffee lovers will test out locally produced, high-quality coffee and more as soon as Mandaluyong-based Kapelipino would soon have a physical store.
In an interview with the Daily Tribune's multimedia morning show Gising Na! on Wednesday, Kapelipino entrepreneur Christine Antonio said she enrolled in a coffee school in February 2020 because she wanted to open a café at that time.
"My husband and I came up with this idea of opening a coffee shop because we're into construction and design business," Antonio explained.
However, they had to set aside their idea when the restriction and lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic happened.
She added that their construction business was affected, too. Hence, they devised another idea of establishing a coffee shop online.
"My husband and I wanted to push this coffee shop since both of us are coffee lovers, so it is something that we really want," Antonio explained.
What makes their coffee shop different from others is that Kapelipino promotes locally produced, high-quality coffee products.
Pandemic challenges
According to Antonio, she faced the challenge of sourcing supplies as a challenge during the lockdown.
"You can't just go there to the suppliers due to logistics, so that's where we had a hard time," Antonio said.
Generating sales is sometimes a challenge for Kapelipino, she added. Hence, they post content on social media and share it in several groups to promote their business and sell products.
While Kapelipino had its own online shop, Antonio still enjoys the excitement of having a physical store.
"I personally want to see the product that I want to buy. It's still different when you see the product itself," Antonio added in Filipino.
She also wants Kapelipino to act as a springboard for several Filipino farmers through their business.
Kapelipino sells reusable gift boxes, including a French press, honey, mugs, cups, saucers, drip coffee packs, and/or their choice of beans via Instagram, Lazada, and Shopee.
Hopefully, Kapelipino will have its physical store by 2023.
