Traditional Coffee Shop Business Story "KOPIbotol" Survived in the Pandemic Masa

The trend of coffee consumption that continues to grow in Indonesia since 2010 has made many people open a coffee shop business or a coffee shop coffee shop. Nasrul, a middle-aged barista who has successfully opened his own coffee shop in the Petukangan area, South Jakarta.

How is the story of Pak Nasrul starting his adventure as a barista who eventually opens his own coffee shop?

Working in a Restaurant Started the Story of Being a Barista

The term all started from the kitchen seems not just a little fairy tale made on the big screen. Pak Nasrul started the success story from the kitchen.

In the late 90s, as a high school graduate, Mr. Nasrul started his career in a pizza restaurant for 3 years. He felt that his experience was quite capable, he moved to a restaurant sandwich which name is Caswell's Sandwich in the Cilandak area, South Jakarta.

Entering 1999, through the restaurant sandwich After that, Mr. Nasrul began to learn how to mix coffee. According to him, the restaurant which has now turned into Boncafe Indonesia is a restaurant pioneer which introduced the term barista at the time.

“That's when we really use Grade 1 coffee from Specialty coffee association from the United States. Formerly I also tried to introduce local coffees to the embassy while carrying coffee tools”, enthusiastically Pak Nasrul.

“During my work, I was self-taught by myself how to make coffee. That's when I roasting own coffee”, continued Mr. Nasrul enthusiastically. 

Increasingly fond of these delicious black beans, Mr. Nasrul also often participates in a barista competition that began in 2003. since then Mr. Nasrul has continued to work as a barista until 2017 at JJRoyal Coffee.

Become a Freelance Barista and Start a KOPIbotol Business

After working for about 18 years as a barista in several restaurants, Mr. Nasrul finally decided to become a freelance barista for events Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia. At the same time, he finally decided to pioneer his bottled coffee which he named now KOPIbotol.

Initially, Mr. Nasrul peddled his homemade coffee via Instagram @warung_kopibotol and chat Whatsapp. Then he started selling his bottled coffee using the GoFood delivery service. However, he admits that he often delivers his own blended coffees directly to consumers.

Jump to 2019, he and his wife decided to make on-site coffee shop own brand with the same brand, Warung KOPIbotol in the South Petukangan area, Pesanggrahan, South Jakarta.

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The story of the KOPIbottle Surviving the Pandemic Period

A year after establishing Warung KOPIbotol, Pak Nasrul was immediately confronted with challenges that may still be felt today, the COVID-19 pandemic.

He admitted, during the pandemic, he made a business coffee shop it's quite choked up. Moreover, the policy of Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) which makes the coffee shop not as busy as usual.

“When PPKM started, it was quiet. Even our chairs almost want to be transported because they have to close at 8 pm. While we open at 2 pm. Income will definitely go down,” said Pak Nasrul.

He also admitted that during the opening of Warung KOPIbotol, the demand for orders from the food delivery application decreased and more visitors came directly to the location.

"When there was no pandemic, our shop was busy. Bottled coffee consumers are all turning here,” said Pak Nasrul.

“Rather, order online instead decreased because people prefer to go directly. Pas PPKM the number of visitors and opening hours are limited, ultimately having an impact very", he continued.

In addition to coffee, the KOPIbotol Warung also sells snacks such as roll meat filling. However, because the wet food did not last long while the number of visitors was reduced, he decided to only sell drinks, toast, and french fries in addition to the coffee menu.

Pak Nasrul also said that before the pandemic, his daily income reached IDR 1,5 million per day. However, when PPKM took place, the income fell drastically to Rp. 600 thousand per day.

The impact of the pandemic forced Mr. Nasrul to lay off two of his employees. "Earlier there were two employees, now there are" gak there is".

Overcoming this, Mr. Nasrul did not remain silent. He keeps picking up the ball. "We are back again offering bottled coffee products via delivery services and Whatsapp," said Mr. Nasrul.

“For orders booking orders, usually we deliver directly to consumers. We open orders from 8 o'clock and close at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, only the next day it will be delivered, “continued Mr. Nasrul.

“Our orders will be delivered to Bogor, NCO, even Tanjung Priok. There is minimum order. For faraway areas kayak Bogor We are waiting for orders until 20 new bottles delivered. the area that close wait 10 bottles”, said Mr. Nasrul.

He admitted, it was all done to satisfy consumers. For him, customer satisfaction is an important thing he can do to improve his coffee shop business.

Digitalization for "KOPIbotol" Coffee Shop Business

When asked about digitization, this 40-year-old man replied that at this time, he did not know about the digitization of MSMEs.

Even so, for him digitization MSMEs important for maximizing business development. However, he does not yet have sufficient resources. Both in terms of technological prowess and human resources.

He admitted that there were indeed many offers for training on the digitization of SMEs, but it was difficult for him to access them.

“Because now its nature online, from My device gak understand. But if there is direct training, I want to participate,” replied Pak Nasrul.

However, he is optimistic that his coffee business can continue for years to come. “That coffee business gak will die. It all depends on how to manage this business so that it can survive,” he said.

Currently, apart from blending coffee and other beverages through Warung KOPIbotol, Mr. Nasrul also sells coffee grounds and opens coffee training.

Growing Coffee Shop Business in Indonesia

Through research TOFIN, a company engaged in hospitality business solutions, in 2019 the coffee business in Indonesia increased almost three times from 2016. Initially there were only 1.000 coffee shops, now there are 2.950 coffee shops.

Even so, the actual figure could be higher considering that many coffee businesses are home-based and located in remote areas.

The number of coffee shops in Indonesia also triggers the level of coffee consumption. In 2018/2019 coffee consumption in Indonesia reached 258.000 tons and increased by 294.000 tons in 2019/2020.

According to TOFIN, the proliferation of the coffee business in Indonesia is triggered by various factors, one of which is the hanging out habit of Indonesians.

In addition, coffee was known to be consumed only by the upper middle class. But nowadays coffee shops are targeting lower consumers with lower price ranges.

The next factor is lifestyle changes. Many coffee shop owners don't just sell specialty coffee just. But also an aesthetic place.

On the other hand, the coffee shop owners also serve Ready To Drink Coffee which makes it easier for people to drink coffee.

Especially now that Indonesia's demographics are dominated by millennials and generation Z who prioritize the existence of social and practical media.

Build a Business with a Digital Community

Mr. Nasrul's problem with his coffee shop was shared by Eddy Satriya, the Deputy for Restructuring of the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs.

Through JawaPos, he said that there are two factors that make it difficult for many micro business actors to adopt digital technology, namely technological skills and internet access.

This statement is also supported by a report issued by DS Innovate entitled mSME Empowerment Report 2021 out of 100 MSME actors, 35% of them are still technology stutter.

Therefore, according to Eddy, it is important for stakeholders such as finance companies or technology providers to build a digital community.

That is the success story of Mr. Nasrul who is still passionate about developing his traditional coffee shop business in the era of rapid technology. It's never too late to start a business, at least that's what he's trying to say through his business.