In Dadaocheng, casually hum a vinyl classic at the Coffee Mansion.
Auto-TranslationIt's hard to imagine that someone would spend an entire year crafting a "business plan for opening a coffee shop" just to establish one. Xiaoyu is such a person. Embracing the spirit of an advertising professional—willful, dedicated, and meticulous—he has designed two coffee shops in Dadaocheng as distinct "works" with their own unique souls. The aroma of coffee and the sound of vinyl music flow through this historic district.
Xiaoyu, the owner, previously worked in the advertising industry for nearly 20 years. The demanding work schedule took a toll on his health, prompting him to seriously consider what he could do in a career change at midlife. At the age of 40, he unexpectedly stepped into the coffee world, despite not being a coffee drinker. He immersed himself in research, developed an interest in hand brewing and tasting, and even dove into bean selection and roasting. He dedicated several years of his personal time after work to embark on a meticulous and willful path as a craftsman, earning multiple certifications, including SCA.
Having worked in advertising design and planning, he humorously remarked, "Writing a business plan isn't about success; it's about reducing the chances of failure!" He spent a year drafting a business plan for opening his coffee shop, analyzing the coffee shop market and identifying gaps, while also evaluating his strengths and weaknesses. He traveled to observe coffee shops in China, Japan, and Thailand. The storytelling aspect of the Shanghai Concession fascinated him, and his love for colonial style combined with rational analysis. Thus, in 2017, he opened his first café, "Fū Coffee Trading House," centered around an old Shanghai aesthetic. Furthermore, his passion for collecting vintage items, along with having served mainly Japanese brands and traveled to Japan over a hundred times, led to the establishment of his second café, "Fū Coffee Mansion," in 2019, aimed at transporting people back to the Showa era.
Having worked in advertising design and planning, he humorously remarked, "Writing a business plan isn't about success; it's about reducing the chances of failure!" He spent a year drafting a business plan for opening his coffee shop, analyzing the coffee shop market and identifying gaps, while also evaluating his strengths and weaknesses. He traveled to observe coffee shops in China, Japan, and Thailand. The storytelling aspect of the Shanghai Concession fascinated him, and his love for colonial style combined with rational analysis. Thus, in 2017, he opened his first café, "Fū Coffee Trading House," centered around an old Shanghai aesthetic. Furthermore, his passion for collecting vintage items, along with having served mainly Japanese brands and traveled to Japan over a hundred times, led to the establishment of his second café, "Fū Coffee Mansion," in 2019, aimed at transporting people back to the Showa era.
Discover Taiwan's Hidden GemsUncover Taiwan's coziest cafés, must-try local dishes, or secret spots — journé will take you to the stories behind the streets, guided by locals and shop owners.
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhere
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhereScan on your phone to open this article
Discover Taiwan's Hidden GemsUncover Taiwan's coziest cafés, must-try local dishes, or secret spots — journé will take you to the stories behind the streets, guided by locals and shop owners.Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhere
Read on map to find the best spots nearby!Explore highlights from 50+ top travel magazines, anytime, anywhereScan on your phone to open this article
