Text with Coffee Fragrance: Antwerp Reading Cafe BUCHBAR

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In recent years, with the rise of coffee shop culture, most modern people are immersed in the smell of coffee on weekends, and we also pick up the paper books that were almost replaced by mobile phones and screens. With the sound of coffee utensils operating in my ear, holding a hot drink in one hand and flipping through the inner pages of the book in the other, it is the best portrayal of the good times.

Antwerp is not only the second largest city in Belgium, but also the famous diamond capital. Today, although it has become a commercial hub, part of the city's appearance is still well preserved from the Baroque period, which locals call the ancient city; and in that all the classical scenery, interspersed with a small fresh space full of literary flavor-BUCHBAR. The name of the shop taken from German is translated as "Book Bar". As the name implies, this is a compound cafe with "reading" as the starting point.

Open planning, from simple white walls, wooden tables and chairs to small potted plants that can be seen everywhere, you can feel a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere as soon as you enter BUCHBAR. Bright color matching and in place decoration, not too much show-off, everything is "just right". Through the skillful hands of the shopkeeper Kim Hertogs and interior designer Dries Otten, the whole space successfully combines the simplicity of Japanese design and the minimalism of Nordic style.

You can 'experience' BUCHBAR in many ways. You may just drop in for a cup of coffee or read a book when you are passing by, or you can come over in the evening for an appetizer. If you have a friend's birthday, this is also a good place to choose gifts-there is nothing wrong with a good book.

Talking to us about the reason why BUCHBAR was founded, Kim was inspired by another city-Berlin. "anything is possible in Berlin. You'll find the craziest concept stores, grocery stores, and all the interesting combinations that you don't see in Antwerp. These stores can also maintain reasonable prices that are affordable to the public, but they are also tailored to the needs of young and creative groups. " She was inspired by seeing many innovative multi-storefronts in Berlin, and starting a business is one of the goals that Kim has always wanted to achieve. With daily coffee and her love of words, the outline of BUCHBAR takes shape naturally. Now that Kim has made his dream come true through BUCHBAR, this small space has unexpectedly become a yearning dream in the lives of local people in Antwerp.

As a female actress, Kim has participated in many films, venues and TV shows, which has long been a familiar name and face for Antwerp. Therefore, her book on BUCHBAR is also very unique. In addition to her favorite classics, classics and books, there are also works that few people are familiar with, such as the French Arthur Rimbaud album, or a large collection of desk books. It's like a small shop with private taste, just matching a cup of coffee.

In the early days of the store, BUCHBAR held a series of "Staff's-choice", which now extends to a regular monthly "the choice of" event, inviting celebrities in the art world, or readers with low-key but keen reading and unique taste, to share some of their favorite books. In the near future, it is planned to be a very personal reading experience for visitors: according to the preferences of each reader who walks into the store, with a shop assistant with similar reading habits, to provide more comprehensive service and publication recommendations. Not only that, the thematic book club and the script reading session invited actors are also the next activities that Kim plans to hold in the store.

Kim more often calls BUCHBAR a concept store than a cafe. Because there are not only coffee, meals and books here, but also all kinds of notebooks that stationery users love. They also cooperate with different creative fields from time to time, using BUCHBAR as the platform for their works. For example, in April, the store uses a limited number of small coffee cups launched by Nimzu Jewellery; in addition to selling, it can also let more people know different brands.

Limited edition small coffee cups launched with Nimzu Jewellery.

Running coffee shops is popular all over the world. With a multi-directional thinking, Kim has given BUCHBAR more roles, corresponding to the changeable style of her actors, no matter in the coffee shop or in the bookstore. If you visit Ante Weipu one day, come here to look at the selected books on the wall and the stationery on the cabinet; if you feel a little tired because of the tight schedule, order a cup of coffee and sit down by the window. take a nap in a world surrounded by coffee and books-just imagine. I feel happy.

BUCHBAR

Scheldestraat 79, Antwerp, Belgium

Opening Hours: Thu-Fri & Sun-Tue/ 10:00 am-06:00 pm

Sat/ 10:00 am-07:00 pm

All Images Courtesy of BUCHBAR.