Get To Know Brodies Coffee Co

'Serving up brews and dang tasty treats' - Brodies Coffee Co Instagram bio isn't wrong. Based in Cardiff, Wales, the wee hut is a favourite among locals. We spoke to owner Ian Brodie about the role their spot plays in the locals' daily lives and the future of Cardiff's coffee scene. 

Tell us, how many years ago did Brodies Coffee Co begin? 

10 years ago from a converted VW camper van.

What inspired you to start Brodies Coffee Co?

As a couple, we had a passion for hospitality and good coffee and felt that Cardiff would be a great place to make our mark.

Over the past few years, what are the most important lesson(s) you have learnt? 

Covid really taught us a lot about both work/life balance and what people really enjoy about our shops. It's far more about the personal connections with the team than the prices on the menu or the cakes in the fridge.  We are an important part of people's daily routines and often the first people that you speak to in the morning. That’s pretty cool and we don’t overlook those daily interactions or their relevance on people's lives.

We love that you use decent packaging products, what made you decide to use sustainable packaging?

As a primarily takeaway business, it has always been important to us to minimise the impact that our packaging makes on the planet. Little changes add up to big results!

What do you love about having custom branded cups and what do your customers say? 

Our cups are a very important part of our brand, a simple daily motivational reminder that whatever you are facing, you got this. Without that personalized touch, our business loses a significant part of its identity.

What’s your coffee order?

Oat flat white for breakfast and then a really good batch/filter for the rest of the day.

Favourite blend and / or single origin of yours?  

Our Kenyan that we had over Christmas was very special for us, it’s the first-ever coffee that we had cupped and chosen to represent our brand for filter and it tasted amazing.

How do you support sustainability in your roastery? 

We try to work with local suppliers wherever possible to support the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint on deliveries. We encourage dairy alternatives at no extra cost as we believe this is where the future lies.

What’s the plan for Brodies Coffee Co over the next 5 years? 

To have fun, ride the waves of economic uncertainty and come out of it the other side with a business that has not compromised on its ethics to get by. We aim to continue being a safe space for people from all walks of life and together with the other awesome independent shops in the city, help put Cardiff on the map as a coffee lovers' destination!

Check out Brodies Coffee Co on Instagram here.