Zhejiang Cafe Charges ¥1 Air Purification Fee Per Customer

When Zhou visited a new café in Hangzhou’s Wulin Road area for lunch, she got more than a sandwich and coffee—she got charged an extra ¥1. Not for food, not for service, but for “air purification.” The concept raised eyebrows, but this isn’t a scam or a gimmick gone wrong. It’s a deliberate policy at Fanciful Café, where cleanliness—and the perception of it—is a core part of the customer experience.

Yes, Fanciful Café charges each customer ¥1 for air purification. The fee covers the cost and messaging around running eight high-grade air purifiers around the clock, including four in the designated smoking section. Most customers accept it without issue, seeing it as part of the café’s broader hygiene commitment.

Why This Café Charges for Clean Air

The idea originated with the owner, Zhu Ze—known to staff as “Old Man”—who took full control of the café in early 2024 after a friend’s mismanagement led to his buyout. The two-story coffee spot, located at the intersection of Wulin Road and Changhua Road, had no special air systems when he arrived. That changed fast.

“I just got back into using air purifiers at home and loved how they worked,” Zhu said. “So I bought eight commercial-grade units and installed them everywhere—in both smoking and non-smoking zones.” There are four purifiers in the smoking half of the second floor, and two each on the non-smoking sections of both floors. All run 24/7.

The café’s manager, Sun (a young staffer in his late 20s), explained to customers upfront: “There’s a ¥1 air purification fee per person. If you’re not okay with it, you don’t have to dine here.” Most find it reasonable—or at least not worth arguing over.

How the Fee Actually Works

Every seated guest is informed of the ¥1 charge. Staff say most people understand the reasoning, even if they poke fun at it. “It does make you feel a bit better knowing there’s that much filtration,” said one visitor. Another noted they’d probably pay the extra regardless, as it’s a small line-item easily absorbed.

The fee is not tied to any government regulation or certification—it’s purely a voluntary charge implemented by the owner to emphasize air quality. Zhu admits the purifiers weren’t cheap. “I spent nearly ¥100,000 on those machines,” he said. “At ¥1 a head, it’ll take ages to recoup that investment. But that’s not really the point.”

The real goal, Zhu insists, is signaling: showing customers that the café takes indoor air seriously. And while some may see it as theatrical, the café’s clean reputation seems to be helping business. “We’re busier now,” Zhu said. “I think it’s the mix of innovation and high standards.”

The Unusual Owner Behind the Policy

Zhu Ze, born in 1965 in Lin’an, is not your average coffee shop owner. Despite being in his 50s, he looks decades younger—something he attributes to daily gym visits and an obsession with cleanliness. “I’m not a germaphobe, but I do love things clean,” he laughed.

His path to café ownership is anything but conventional. As a teen, he was fascinated by hairdressing—a career his parents disapproved of. By age 20, he moved to Hangzhou, worked in a factory, and secretly learned barbering. He opened his first salon in 1991, then expanded to multiple shops throughout the 1990s. He even won international awards in styling and colour design.

“I once did a seven-colour haircut that won a design award,” Zhu recalled. “People called me ‘Handsome Guy.’” After semi-retiring from hairdressing, he ran restaurants and other ventures, including a “charity” porridge shop staffed by elderly women in Hangzhou.

Despite his success, Zhu remains restless. “I’m always 25 at heart,” he said, showing off a photo of his girlfriend, a millennial with whom he shares few visible years. His next plan? To expand the Fanciful Café brand to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. “But that needs more ideas,” he added. One recent promotion: discounted bills for customers who wait in line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every customer really pay ¥1 for air purification?

Yes. Every person seated at Fanciful Café is told about the ¥1 air purification fee, which covers the cost and upkeep of running eight purifiers around the clock. Customers can choose not to pay by not dining there, but most accept it without issue.

How many air purifiers does the café have?

The café operates eight commercial-grade air purifiers: four on the smoking side of the second floor, and two each in the non-smoking sections of the first and second floors. All units run 24 hours a day.

Why did the owner introduce the air purification fee?

Owner Zhu Ze introduced the fee to emphasize the café’s commitment to clean indoor air. While he admits it’s not financially break-even (the purifiers cost nearly ¥100,000), the main goal is to signal quality and create a cleaner-feeling environment for customers.

Is the air purification fee mandatory?

Technically, yes—but customers are told about it upfront and can choose not to dine there if they don’t agree with the policy. Most patrons accept the fee without complaint.

What else is unusual about this café owner?

Zhu Ze, in his 50s, is known for his youthful appearance, strict cleanliness habits (he bans mops, cleans floors with towels, and wipes the door 12 times a day), and entrepreneurial background spanning hairdressing, styling awards, and now specialty coffee.

What’s the café’s smoking area like?

The second floor includes a designated smoking section, which houses four of the café’s eight air purifiers to help manage smoke and maintain air quality throughout the space.

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