Discover your Local Coffee Shop

For the past few years, coffee shops have become so much more than just a place to grab a quick bite in between our busy schedules. Students prefer a quiet place to study, and the working class finds comfort in doing their tasks with a sip of freshly brewed coffee. This balance is why coffee shops become the go-to location of those working out of their usual place. Coffee shops are on the rise and they are not just on our city's high streets, but locally beloved and accessible.

Located at San Francisco Street, Barangay Zone 3 in Libon Albay, Coffeesikleta is a local coffee shop business that opened on December 2021 at a small garage. It started as a simple coffee business on wheels, specifically, on a bicycle, thus the name Coffeesikleta (Coffee + bisikleta, the Filipino term for bicycle). It had its formal grand opening and shop blessing on January 2022. So, what does this local coffee shop have to offer to the public?

The very first set-up of Coffeesikleta as a local coffee shop business.

Professional, quality coffee

People love a trip to their local coffee shop because they like drinking coffee. Coffeesikleta offers quality coffee that you can't get at home! They use fresh-grinded medium roast Sagada Arabica coffee beans originating and grown in Sagada, the Cordillera highlands of the northern Philippines. They brew the grinded beans for 16 hours, that's why if you're trying to pull an all-nighter, a cup of coffee from this shop will sustain you until sunrise! Each coffee recipe on their menu is carefully crafted and undergone many taste tests to ensure the right amount of coffee and other ingredients, for great and unique flavors.

A comfortable, social space

The unique traditional outdoor design of Coffeesikleta brings feeling of comfort and relaxation to their customers. The subdued, cozy, and intimate lighting of the coffee shop provides comfortable seating that makes you want to bring your friends over for a cup of hot or cold coffee. Aside from the social benefits, Coffeesikleta also provide a wonderful space to work and study. As working from home and flexible work hours become more popular, customers at least spend an hour or two of their working day at Coffeesikleta.

Coffeesikleta's newly renovated coffee shop set-up and some of their regular customers.

A place for the community

As this coffee shop is situated at the central part of the town, it is an accessible location where people can gather with family and friends to catch-up. Coffeesikleta became one of the ideal spots for connection where small events can be hosted, supporting the local community and bringing it together. Due to the restrictions brought about by COVID-19, communication and gatherings were frequently done on screen, and this coffee shop offers a friendly smile and simple talks for those who felt the isolation.

Your palate cravings all in one place

Coffeesikleta is about friendship and supporting small businesses. At their main location, there are also other small businesses that offer a variety of food and drinks choices. Riotzilla 4506 is a milktea shop that opened in 2019. They have their main store at Polangui Albay, and from 4pm onwards, they set up their booth at Coffeesikleta. Bake and Chew is an online pastry business that peaked during the pandemic for its chewy and delicious products. Bake and Chew also do cake and other pastry commissions for special events. With this set-up, customers have a variety of menu choices and update to special promos.

MEET THE CEOs of THIS SMALL BUSINESS

Coffeesikleta is founded and owned by two gentlemen who share the same love and passion for coffee and the business they ventured to. Ejay and Aj are friends who jokingly talked about opening a coffee shop out of boredom, not imagining that one day it will come true. Ejay works full-time as an IT Consultant at a remote company, his working hours are usually on the night and graveyard shift because the clients he cater are coming from foreign countries. Before coming home to Libon Albay during the pandemic, Ejay studied being a barista at Manila and the basics for creating a quality coffee. Aj, on the other hand, works at a local construction company as a project engineer. His favorite thing to do when visiting new places is to try the coffee being sold there--he became a coffee connoisseur at some point, critiquing the quality and ingredients of every coffee he orders. Putting up a small coffee shop business, was their best decision, now they have another thing to look forward aside from their full-time jobs.

Coffeesikleta's business owners, Ejay Baclao (in black shirt) and AJ Salgado (in white shirt)

Coffeesikleta brought people from different places together, their coffee shop business gave life to the small town of Libon Albay as other businesses started to open too after their establishment. Find more about them on their Facebook and Instagram page if you want to explore the next time you visit Albay or if you have someone nearby you want to send coffee while working or studying, Coffeesikleta also do deliveries.

Discover Your Local Coffee Shop, a taste of Libon