Decorum is not a proper coffee-shop; It is a new concept.

https://www.instagram.com/decorumshop/

“Coffee shop History”.

Although having another store in shoreditch, back in time. Originally, when Decorum opened the coffee shop in Crystal Palace, - short while before the virus-, they had a little sitting area outside the store to serve cakes and coffees. Against the landlord's wishes. He did not want their business to be selling coffee. ‘They carried on doing basic service, anyway’. Serving coffee and cakes. - Said Cristina; one of the owners.

But then, the virus struck.

We can find pictures and videos on their instagram above.

The two business side

https://decorum-shop.co.uk/

How are they combining the coffee shop and the homeware design store?

During the virus, they closed down the coffee area and sold only take away coffees, because it was the only thing they could do. The Decorum store in shoreditch had to be closed, either. However, they did very well on their online sales.

Since the virus is over, they concentrated more in their homeware business, as coffee was not their main business as mentioned before. They spent whole power on their mid-end accessories and furniture.

Still selling Arabiata coffee, and beans getting selected, grounded and processed in

Bradford;

They have taken the freedom to chose roast, blend and got it delivered by their door.

- That is what makes their coffee being appreciated.

Having had people coming and buying their beans as well, in small commercial coffee packages. Costumers are giving compliments by their coffee quality and taste.

Is the coffee shop attracting more people to your store?

Cristina shakes her head in a positive way; Notwithstanding, reinforced:

Coffee for them was something when they first started. ‘There were no coffee shops on that triangle in Crystal Palace’. Now other retailers have opened many coffee shops around and Decorum have decided to focus on what they do best. Homeware. They don't sell as much coffee as they used to sell; anyway, they are still selling.

Being forced to close down the coffee area, since virus time, as grab and go coffees and cakes was the only thing they could do. It did impacted the business. However, people still kept coming for their coffee but they do not do it as their main business.

They have a lot of people coming inside, getting coffee, walking around, browsing as well, but their profit market is much lower now than before; talking about homeware. As Cristina said: - ‘Brexit killed them’.

The costs, fees, the delays. They used to get the homeware products from Denmark.

‘Even the ship companies do not know what they are doing’. -Said her.

‘Trying to buy things to the store from England is not as easy as it seems’.

Also, they got a government loan for small business. ‘It was great at the time’! in Cristina’s words. Loan which helped them a lot, but now they are paying back in installments.

The business is well. But she carefully says they are taking one month at the time.

Her nephew and partner are trained as a barista; as well as their assistant.

But they don't want to be a coffee shop.

If Decorum is not going to work for her as a business, she would go and have a job as a barista. - She laugh.

‘In her words as a barista you can get a job anywhere’. And she loves coffee.