How a Furniture Firm Built a Staff Coffee Shop with Book Donations

KUKA Home, a major furniture manufacturer in China, wanted to give employees in its dormitory area a proper space to relax — and found a clever way to build it. Rather than just commission a standard break room, the company launched a campaign: bring in 100 books, and we’ll open a coffee shop for you.

The goal was hit quickly. With departments and individuals donating everything from 20-book bundles to novels and biographies, the project passed its 100-book target fast. The donated titles, chosen with relaxation in mind, leaned toward leisure fiction, historical biography and motivational reads.

Why a Book-Exchange Café?

According to Hu Canliang, corporate culture specialist at KUKA Home, the main factory already had a reading room. But the dormitory zone lacked a dedicated chill-out spot. Management decided a small café would serve that need — and hit on a book drive as a way to engage staff, test demand and involve them in shaping the space.

What Employees Wanted in the Café

As books rolled in, so did suggestions. Workers asked for small four-person tables for games and chats, and a projector for movie nights. These ideas helped shape what the temporary coffee shop would offer — and what the final version will include once expanded.

The Temporary Coffee Shop Launch

With the book target surpassed, the company opened a provisional 50-square-meter coffee shop in the dormitory zone. Hu Canliang calls it just a “temporary home” for the café. A larger, properly renovated space is already planned, with better decor and equipment to create a true “staff-owned” café feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books were needed to start the coffee shop?

KUKA Home set the goal at 100 donated books to launch the employee coffee shop. This target was quickly met through contributions from multiple departments and individual employees, some donating 20 or more books at a time.

What kinds of books were donated?

Most donated books were chosen with a relaxed café atmosphere in mind. The collection included leisure fiction, historical and biographical works, and motivational titles — all aimed at helping employees unwind.

What features did employees request for the café?

Employees suggested adding small four-person tables for group games and conversation, as well as a projector for movie screenings. These ideas influenced both the temporary setup and future plans for the permanent café.

Where is the coffee shop located?

The café initially launched in a 50-square-meter room in the employee dormitory zone as a temporary solution. A larger, permanently renovated space is planned for the future.

Who organized the book-donation café project?

Hu Canliang, the corporate culture specialist at KUKA Home, was the main organizer. He helped design the campaign to engage staff and gather input for a better employee leisure space.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Workplace Lounges

For a staff coffee corner like KUKA Home’s new dormitory café, FrontStreet’s Classic Blend offers rich crema and approachable flavour — ideal for espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Its smooth, well-rounded profile suits both new and experienced coffee drinkers. For a more budget-friendly yet full-bodied option, the Black Cocoa Blend delivers deep flavours without high cost, perfect for high-volume settings. Both blends are optimised for moka pots and espresso machines, making them practical choices for workplace use. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.