Unlike others who started as early as high school, my love story with coffee didn't begin until I graduated in college and began working. Coffee shops weren't my thing back then as I was busy preparing for my career. But when I started working, coffee became an important part of the day. I'm glad my love for coffee was just as great as what I needed it to be--not too much to the point of addiction. Moderation is indeed the key.😊
Back then, there were no coffee shops in my hometown too. So, if I really wanted some brewed coffee or other coffee-based beverages, I had to go to the city for that coffee experience.
Post-pandemic, several coffee shops sprouted in my hometown. When I started going back to work, I found myself wanting to try out the coffee and non-coffee drinks from the local shops here.
For today's blog dear Hive friends, I'm going to share to you one of the local coffee shops here in my hometown that has warmed up to me for some time. This blog is also my entry for week 43 of The Coffee Shop Prompt of the @cinnccf community.
Welcome to 5 AM Café! ☕️
My son's first time to visit the café. He had some non-coffee drinks and some croffles. 😘
This coffee shop started here in Dalaguete, Cebu when people began enjoying life after the several lockdowns due to the pandemic. They didn't have an actual coffee shop at first and sold warm coffee and cold brew bottles on a motorcycle. They sold coffee at the Dalaguete plaza on early mornings to people who were having their daily exercise around the area. I saw my friends posting some of their encounters with this "coffee on wheels" store and found out it was sold by my high school classmate's sibling. From then on, they accepted online orders. And finally, they opened, their physical store March last year near the Dalaguete port area beside a local resto bar called Bar.Ko. They serve coffee and non-coffee beverages, tea, cakes, and pastries.
From selling coffee at the plaza, this coffee shop has grown into a cozy coffee spot in my hometown. 💜
They also serve cakes to pair with your drinks. Yum! 😋
I started ordering a coffee-based drink from their menu via their Facebook page. There were still no in-classroom classes during that time and I was very busy with paperwork at school. I wanted to keep myself awake while checking students' answer sheets.
I was actually surprised to find out that the café was mainly owned by high school sweethearts turned husband and wife, Yvonne and Kirk. They were my classmates back then. The latter personally delivered my order as the couple worked hands on with their business.
My first order way back 2021 was matcha espresso. I had this at 3pm and I stayed awake till midnight hahaha! Memo to myself: Don't drink espresso in the afternoon again!😅
I kept ordering coffee and non-coffee based drinks from time to time along with my colleagues and when I finally had the chance, I was finally able to visit their café. This was followed by several visits.
A quick visit after a heavy lunch with my colleagues. I ordered matcha latte this time. 💚
What kept me coming back aside from their delicious drinks is their warm service. Every visit to the café, their staff has always been welcoming. They always make sure to quickly serve the customers. They are polite and quick to respond when I ask questions.
When I order online, they quickly reply and they always send a photo of the receipt. In the numerous times that I have ordered online, they always make sure to cater to my needs especially when I request to deliver at a specific area in my workplace. They follow instructions well and deliver their drinks with sweet smiles.
My first order in 2021 vs. my most recent order this 2023 💜 I love how quick and polite they are. 😊
Once, I chanced to visit the café with my mother and my son. I met the owners, my former classmates, who were there that day. They are still the warm and kind people I've known though I've never always conversed with them for so many years.
My son with the café owner, Yvonne. She is one of the nicest persons in our class wayback high school and remains the same when we met her again.💜
Last month's Fridate with my mother and my son at the café ☕️
It's just amazing how this local café has also warmed my heart. I believe that this was one of the major things that kept their business going--their warm hearts exuding warm service. I keep coming back for online orders and I still want to visit the café even after being there for many times. I think it's about the comfort that one feels when having a coffee break at the café or when getting that easy and quick service when ordering online.
I guess whenever your heart feels most comfortable and warm, it's when you always look forward to your next order or your next visit.
So, whatever time of the day and whatever weather, I will surely keep coming back to 5 AM Café. 💜
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. If you are in Cebu, Philippines and will be travelling to the southern part, please come to Dalaguete. I hope you can also visit this cozy shop and be warmed up by the good coffee and the warm and friendly service offered by 5 AM Café. If you want to know more about this coffee shop, check out their Facebook page here.😊
Note: All photos are personally taken using my cellphone. I used Paint 3D to crop some of the photos. I also used Canva in making the collage.
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This place looks very neat and clean. The quick online feedback is a cool feature that probably makes the cafe a bit better than the competitors. I have always admired places with good online customer service!
In all of my visits whether the cafe is full or not, the place remains clean. I noticed the staff kept keeping the place tidy without disturbing the customers.
Thanks for reading and for leaving a comment. 😊
Between the beautiful sitting area and the personal connection to the owners, I can understand why this is a location that keeps you coming back! It was interesting to read about the development of the business, and how they finally moved into a shop.
It makes sense that their friendly service helped them survive the pandemic, great service makes coffee taste better imo hehe! 😁 Thanks for the lovely read ☕️
Thank you very much for reading and for leaving this comment. 💜
Nice to have a clean warm friendly coffee shop where you can visit often. Great family coffee shop. :)
True. I often see their family members at the coffee shop helping and supporting each other.
Hello @lifewithchel
That's a great name for a coffee shop, and the place looks immaculate. Dalaguete is such a beautiful area, so I'm pleased to hear of the developments after the lockdown. It's the same in Moalboal where I used to live, but I left there and returned to the UK.
An official welcome to the community, and I'm pleased that you shared this lovely post with this week's prompt.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see more of you in the community:)))
Wow, I'm glad you've lived here in Cebu. Have you visited Dalaguete, too?
Yes, I visited Dalaguete many times. I have been to Dalaguete, and also Aloguisan. I like those areas:)
I lived in Moalboal for 7 years!
Wow, it's a small world indeed. Glad to meet you here in Hive!💜
Yes, it's a small world, indeed! Great meeting you too, and I'll see you around 💜
A nice place to share perfect for sharing with family next to a delicious coffee. The online ordering thing caught my attention, this place is at the forefront of technology.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.☕
Good day.
Thanks @rinconpoetico7. They started accepting orders online as they have no physical store yet and it seems the demand for their coffee drinks has increased. They've come a long way now that they have this nice coffee shop by the sea.
It makes me happy to see how small coffee sales turn into thriving businesses. It looks like it's a pretty nice place and they put heart into what they do. That is the true passion for coffee. Greetings @lifewithchel 🤗☕
Thank you @alborhada 😊 They've been innovating lately and adding new coffee drinks to their menu. They're very passionate and hardworking.
It's a nice thing to know that sweethearts have a very nice plan to establish their own Cafe shop for their future. I admire this kind of experience for sweethearts not married yet but have a responsible plan for their future family.
True sir @edver143. Planning for the future while enjoying the present is such a good thing that they have done. They're already married with two kids. Juggling between family life and business is a great challenge.
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The story behind this coffee shop is so cute! It's heartwarming to see a love story unfold into a successful business venture! The sense of community built around this coffee shop is remarkable. Mmmm I want a cup of brewed coffee after reading this! Lovely!
Thank you very much for taking the time to read. 💜
You are on point my lady, the coffee shop is really beautiful and attractive. How happy your Son was to shop with you