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C Story / Zhou Zhang. Photo / Weiqi Jin

Coffee, Metal,

Wooden House

THE STORY OF METAL HANDS

F or most young people in China, ity domestic coffee, Metal Hands is also fa-
coffee is now a necessity. No
mous for its exquisite interior inside old
matter it is to refresh their mind
owner of Metal Hands, shared his philosophy
before they start their day at historical buildings. Jiangtao Ding, the
work or to have a weekend afternoon chat of coffee shop design.
with friends, café is where they’ll choose to
go. Today, Starbucks has opened more than The unique and intriguing vibe
4,300 stores in 180 cities in Mainland China.
Luckin Coffee reports 6,500 locations all Creating the right atmosphere is crucial
over the country. The size of the coffee shop for a coffee shop. A study from the Interna-
market in China has doubled since 2013, tional Journal of Hospitality Management
which achieves an annual compound growth shows that the coffee product in a coffee
rate of 18%. shop only accounts for 48% of a customer’s
Belle Wang, Associate Food and Drink emotional connection to the business. While
Research Analyst at the world’s leading the remaining 52% up to other factors, most-
market intelligence agency Mintel, said: “The ly from the café’s environment.
quick expansion of new retail coffee shop While to have a nice vibe for a café, the
and businesses across the country has stim- venue choice is what counts most. “It is
ulated more coffee consumption among difficult to create an atmosphere out of the
consumers, resulting in strong sales volume.” air, and it is even more difficult to erase the
The thrive of the coffee shops in China, on existing personality of a space. Therefore,
the one hand, demonstrated that coffee is the location choice is very important, as it
constantly being integrated into our lives. basically will determine the tone of the café
On the other hand, it means the competition and whether it can perfectly match the style
among coffee shops becomes even fiercer. If that a brand wants to express,” said Ding.
a coffee shop wants to survive in the game, From Beijing’s iconic Hutong to the
they have to be unique and attractive enough former French Concession in Shanghai,
for the picky consumers. Metal Hands seems especially fond of old
Metal Hands is among those who stand buildings and old community. Ding told us
out. First started at Wu Daoying, one of the the reason behind: “I like Hutongs in Bei-
oldest and popular communities of Hutong jing, as it is earthy but foreign. It is historical,
in Beijing, Metal Hands has already opened but it does not resist new things. Just like
six stores in both Beijing and Shanghai. Apart coffee as a foreign thing, it is more and more
from committed to exploring the high-qual- fused into our existing life.”

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