Exploring Coffee Culture and Books in a Bookshop: One

Exploring Coffee Culture and Books in a Bookshop: One

I was standing by the window, looking at the street when my mind wandered back to the first time I saw a coffee bar. It was in Lagos, in 1999 when I was younger. It wasn’t at a Bookshop. I saw it at my dad’s friend’s house in Marina. I was closer to the bar, and Ebenezer Obey’s “Olowo Laiye Mo” played, momentarily interrupting the conversation between the two adults while I sipped the juice in my hand.

When was the first time you saw a coffee bar?

If it weren’t for that experience, I wouldn’t be writing this. I wouldn’t be thinking about a lady adorning her hands with henna. I wouldn’t be discovering another café.

When you walk into Tigray Coffee’s café at Roving Heights bookshop, take a moment to reflect on the first book you read, the cultural evolution of bookmaking before Gutenberg, and the intricate spice profiles in teas and coffee. Step into the space with a gentle stride, like a stentorian visitor.

The mere sight of this bookshop & café evokes a sense of nostalgia as if the books it houses hold secrets and stories from bygone eras. Its glass entrance, adorned with a glimpse of the interior, beckons to all who seek solace in the world of words and coffee.

I began with the story of the first coffee bar I saw, labelled as “Coffee bar,” but at Roving Heights, what you’ll find is a café with Soyinka on the wall, an Allo, books, and Afro-centric coffee packs filled with Kwararafa light roast.

I crossed the threshold and a symphony of scents enveloped me—an enchanting blend of aged parchment, freshly brewed coffee, and delicate aromas. The air was thick with the possibilities of literary treasures waiting to be discovered.

Sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting warm hues upon rows and rows of bookshelves that seemed to reach for the heavens. The sales rep smiled, unaware of my gaze. I reciprocated with a smile and noticed an Alté bag hanging close to the entrance.

The café is a sanctuary within a sanctuary, where weary minds seek respite and inspiration in equal measure. In every nook and cranny, inviting minimalistic chairs await visitors who wish to lose themselves in the pages of history, fantasy, or the flavours of coffee.

Soft lamplight cascades upon each bookshelf, creating pockets of intimacy amidst the vast expanse of knowledge.

The barista looked up and smiled. That moment became a photograph. The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans continues to waft through the air, mingling with the tantalising scent of baked goods. She smiled again.

Within the walls of this haven, time seems to lose its meaning. The outside world ceases to exist, for here, within this sanctuary of pages, words, and coffee, imagination reigns supreme.

In the bookshop with a café at its heart, I find solace, inspiration, and a piece of my soul that has always yearned to wander amidst the whispered promises of literature. I am nothing but a wanderer.

You can read more here How to start a coffee bar at home.

The Café is located at Garki, Area 11 in City Centre Mall, Abuja.