As we enter lockdown level two today, many people and industries are rejoicing. For some, it is another lifting of more opportunities, thus ultimately building on loss and trusting to make a come-back financially. Another industry that has been really hard hit in this time has been restaurants and your typical coffee shops. Station Stop Coffee Shop opened its doors December 2019. Ever since this little gem opened, it has been a great attraction, and they were really blessed to have such a good start. I had a chat with the owner Dave Ballance, to find out more about what the coffee shop industry has been going through during 2020. Most of you will probably recognize Dave as the face behind his mobile business Country Ground Coffee, that he ran before he started Station Stop Coffee Shop in Hilton. He has a son who is busy doing his pilot’s license in Durban, and a daughter who is homeschooling at the moment. He has been married to Caryl for eighteen years, who works at Michaelhouse School. Dave has been in the coffee industry for fourteen years. He has loads of experience and has helped and come alongside many to train and impart his skills. For fourteen years he had a dream to open a coffee shop, but the right opportunity didn’t arise until the Hilton Steam Heritage Association made contact with him to do coffee at a Saturday market. Little did Dave know that this was going to be the start of his dream coming alive. The society showed him the building they wanted him to occupy and thus Station Stop Coffee Shop was born. Those that know Hilton will know that this area wasn’t in the best condition. Well done to the Association who had the vision to see this historically rich area become a buzzing place to share with locals and tourists. The coffee shop is inside a little museum of historical richness. The decor, art and artefacts inside has been originally part of this Hilton Train Museum. Lockdown level five was announced, and they were forced to close the shop entirely. This however, gave them some time to reflect and get some new ideas. After level four was announced, they took the opportunity to do some home deliveries for coffee, which later became deliveries in the car park and on the veranda eventually, as regulations were loosened. Level three allowed them to open and do take away service only. People would come and collect coffee and social distance on a spot by a train, or walk up the railway and just enjoy the freedom of coming out for a moment, doing their part in social distancing. Going on from there, this place has been having record months financially, and honestly just going from glory to glory. In the words of Dave: ‘God has really restored what the locust, or the virus has eaten.’ I was pleasantly surprised and overjoyed with him, to hear how well they have been doing in spite of lockdown. What has been your biggest challenge during 2020? ‘Although Lockdown has been a great time to reflect, it has generally been hard. We’ve bounced back from that. Social distancing, and all the regulations is really hard to attend to in a social environment like a coffee shop. Our biggest challenge now is handling the growth and expansion of business. How to fit all into this little building that is set.’ As the building they are occupying is a Heritage site, they are not allowed to change anything around it. They have been getting creative in making more space to do light lunches and an extra coffee machine, to be able to handle an overflow of customers coming in for take-aways. What have you been placing your hope in? ‘Our hope has been in the Lord. We opened something, without knowing what the future would bring. It was opened out of faith, as we did not have the finances to do it. It has totally been an act of faith, even going forward as well with expansion.' What innovative ideas have you had in this time and what encouragement can you give to others out there? ‘From when we started, we implemented the KISS system – Keep It Short and Sweet. Do what you know you can do. We are not chefs or a restaurant, so we are not trying to be a restaurant. We don’t know food, so we do good coffee. Bring in people that can help and support you. Support small businesses where you can and bring in those suppliers. The milk tarts we get is from a guy who works in a scrap yard, but his salary was cut. His wife makes them and they are fantastic, so it’s another family we are supporting in this way. Our interior decorator was shut down and she makes some awesome carrot cake, which she is now supplying to us.’ I have had quite a few interviews now with different people, from different backgrounds and covering various industries. Everyone of us have been going through various moments of frustration, emotions and at times even been feeling overwhelmed. It was so inspiring to hear of all the innovative ideas this beautiful business have been digging into, and exploring in this time. A wise business man knows that you need to surround yourself with a good team. Dave speaks very highly of his team and staff he is working with, and has made a special mention of his barista Andile. 'Andile has been an absolute star through this difficult time of lockdown.'
It was such a delight to pop into this coffee shop and in a way taking a step back into time. This little station must have been the life of Hilton where people were either waiting for loved ones to arrive, or waving them goodbye. This area has been transformed into a beautiful spot to gather with loved ones, and revisit the past. Do yourself a favor and make a stop at Station Stop Coffee Shop. Andile would be more than happy to serve you with an amazing coffee. I would like to give a special thanks to Dave and his team for allowing me to come and spend some time at their shop. May God continue to grow and strengthen this business, as He has already been doing.
1 Comment
Naomi
8/27/2020 07:32:27
I LOVE this coffee shop. So great to have some more insight.
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about me
I'm a passionate photographer based in the KZN Midlands - enjoying life to the full and spending time with my awesome family and friends... photo credit: www.peartree.co.za
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