Ex-manager follows dream to set up coffee shop with a twist

JOHOR BARU: A former estate manager has turned his station wagon into a mobile kopitiam.

Mohd Fauzi Azmi, 52, said he made the decision to quit the job he had been doing for the last 25 years last year to fulfil a lifelong dream of owning a coffee shop.

“However, I wanted my coffee shop to be different, unique and to stand out from other shops around here.

“I found out that car booth cafes are popular in Europe, which led me to an entrepreneur in Seremban who also operated a mobile cafe, ” he added.

Mohd Fauzi said he contacted the person to seek advice before making modifications on his Naza Citra, which he has owned for more than 10 years.

“After getting a clear picture on how I could outfit my car, I started making preparations, ” he said.

He said that he sent his car to a workshop for a month to have it modified.

“I spent about RM20,000 to get the set-up, including purchasing a generator as well as a second-hand coffee machine, ” he said.

By early this year, the business was up and running.

But he was only able to do it for about a month and a half before the movement control order (MCO) kicked in.

“I reopened my business about two weeks ago after the restrictions under the MCO were lifted, ” said Mohd Fauzi who is married with four children aged between 12 and 21.

He makes the drinks himself and his 19-year-old child is learning from him.

Mohd Fauzi said that the drinks were priced from RM5 onwards, depending on the size of the cup.

“I would open the ‘cafe’ near my house from 4pm almost every day.

“On weekends, I will also open it from 8.30am to 12pm to serve those who want a fresh cup of coffee on their day off, ” he said.

Although he was well aware of the financial risks, he said he was happy that he could serve freshly made coffee to his customers, who mostly live around his neighbourhood.