Andres, the manager at Coffee Tea & Me at 93b Redfern Street, thrives in the fast-paced environment of the café, embracing the morning rush. “Busyness can either excite you or stress you,” he says. “It’s a little bit tricky, but that’s the fun of it.”
Born and raised in Barranquilla, a major city in Colombia located on the Caribbean coast, Andres was involved in the café’s transformation before reopening, describing the space as initially being in a state of disrepair. “No floor, bare walls, the roof was destroyed,” he recalls.
Credit goes to new owner Michele for his efficiency, as renovations were completed in just a week. Since then, Andres has focused on consistency in coffee, food and service. “Consistency – good coffee, good food, good service, constant operation hours. That is the first step.”
Beyond quality, he sees community as the heart of the café, particularly in a neighbourhood like Redfern, where longtime locals and newcomers converge. His approach to hospitality is about creating human connections. “You go out of the house and into a café, a restaurant, a bar – to exchange. That’s what hospitality is about.”
He fosters engagement with a daily trivia question written on a mirror, adding a playful challenge for customers. While some love it, a few have taken it too seriously. “I think I lost one or two customers because they never got the answer right!” he jokes. But for Andres, that small moment of thought in the morning is worth it.
With a background in fine dining and a passion for interaction, Andres brings energy and personality to the café, helping revive its former reputation while creating a welcoming space for all.
Exclusive trivia question for SSH readers. Let Andres know the answer and enjoy a treat with your next order at Coffee Tea & Me: What is the name of Dostoevsky’s novel which propelled him to fame following his mock execution in a Siberian prison?
