Café has the aroma of success
As with many entrepreneurs who come to the Garden Route to start a business, Di Durand and Marilise Ackerman were brimful of new ideas when they bought the Coffee Connection in 2001. Long a landmark in Knysna, and a favourite meeting place for both regulars and tourists, the Coffee Connection has built up a special atmosphere – an atmosphere that Di and Marilise soon realised was not to be tampered with.
“We saw that gimmicks and jazzy ideas were not going to build the business. We had to focus on improving existing service, and making sure we served only the best, and served it in the best way.”
The Coffee Connection is situated in a characterful old building and clients can sip a steaming cup of any one of 14 different flavours and 22 blends, sitting on the pavement on sunny days, inside on chilly days or in the upstairs smoking room under a creaking colonial roof fan. And if you find a blend that you especially like you can buy a packet to take away.
As Di points out: “The days of ordinary coffee are over, now it’s all about macchiatos, mochas, cappuccinos and café au lait. Even everyday coffee drinkers soon become connoisseurs once they start tasting fine coffees.” Both Di and Marilise are founts of knowledge on the preparation of blends and mixes and should you wish to start your education in coffee drinking, they’ll be happy to chat to you over a cup of Columbian and a toasted trammezinno in the Coffee Connection.