The Blend cafe at Toongabbie was a big leap into alien territory for him. From creating art that mostly celebrated sci-fi, fantasies and futuristic worlds, he now had to be a barista and a small businessman as well.
“My idea was to bring art into Toongabbie, mixing art with a unique cafe experience,” said the artist who has won multiple national and international awards in his 40-year career.
The 65-year-old said The Blend was an experiment, but doing things outside the mould has never fazed the artist who displays a strong self-belief.
So for two years prior to opening, he studied the science and art of making great coffee, working in cafes and with coffee roasters, and training to be a highly skilled barista.
“Ï did due diligence for two years,” said the designer of the Dawn Treader ship in the third Narnia film.
“It’s very difficult for me not to do an amazing job. A lot of people told me ‘don’t put it in Toongabbie. There are too many Indians in Toongabbie. Indians don’t drink coffee’,” he recalled.
Today, 25 to 30 per cent of The Blend’s customers are of Indian and Sri Lankan backgrounds, he said.
Bridges spent just $2500 to open the first cafe on Portico Parade. It was small and could seat only nine people.
Two and a half years later, with $80,000 capital, they moved three doors down to get more space.
The Blend’s appeal is partly its eclectic, friendly atmosphere. The cafe’s decor maybe retro and old world but Bridges’ impressive art works and prints on display are a visual feast.
“People come here from all over Sydney. To them it’s like doing a time walk into another world,” he said of the cafe’s atmosphere.
The business grew slower than what he expected at first. He said he has learnt so much over the last five years and is now poised “to up the ante” and is working on expansion and franchising.
Bridges has already sold two brand licences for $10,000 each. The licence gives the buyers the flexibility to sell it for profit or open a cafe at one location at a fraction of the cost of a full franchise.
He’s planning to open a second cafe at a different location and is now working on a style manual before launching The Blend franchise.
This will leave him more time to stretch his creative talents. As for his art, he said simply: “Ï am getting better.”
FAST FACTS
- The Blend Cafe: 20 Portico Parade, Toongabbie.
- Appeal: Own Boutique blends plus atmosphere.
- Wow Factor: Owner’s sci-fi, fantasy and futuristic art works enhance ambience.
- Owner-barista: Greg Bridges, award-winning Australian and international artist
- Bridges’ art: Featured on magazines, books and films.
- Cafe’s future: The Blend brand expansion through licensing and franchising.
