How a Hong Kong Founder Turned a Café Into a Cultural Hub in Fuzhou

Kcafés usually promise relaxed vibes—but not this one. In a quiet corner of Fuzhou’s Dongshui Road, a black-and-grey metal-clad space buzzes with something sharper: high-fashion shows looping silently on wall screens, art exhibitions tucked into corners, and no commercial noise. This is KCAFé—not your typical third-wave coffee shop, but a carefully cultivated crossroads of design, commerce, and caffeine.

Yes, KCAFé serves cappuccinos and lattes. But according to founder Xu Haoen, 33, it sells far more: culture, connections, and creative exposure. The café is actually a window for a French creative agency, and also Fujian’s first-ever pop-up space. That’s the real difference.

What Is KCAFé Really?

KCAFé—short for “,” or “Visionary Space Club”—is the physical extension of Open Mind-Asia, a renowned French creative strategy firm. Xu Haoen, who leads the company’s expansion in China, set up the Fuzhou location in 2012 as both a café and a cultural showroom. With barely any ads, it relies on word-of-mouth, Weibo, and WeChat to draw in visitors curious about its rotating exhibitions, designer showcases, and brand events.

Why Open a Pop-Up Café in Fuzhou?

Xu chose Fuzhou not for its coffee scene, but for its potential. The city sits within the rising Greater Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone. More importantly, he has personal ties: born in Quanzhou, raised partly in Hong Kong, and educated in Fuzhou, he has long-standing affection for the city. His clearest memory? A childhood café near Dongjiekou decorated with a model of the Eiffel Tower—ironically, the very symbol his KCAFé now channels in a more authentic way.

What Does Open Mind-Asia Actually Do?

Open Mind-Asia is no small-time player. The Paris-based firm has handled global brands like Hermès, Cartier, Dior, and Airbus, plus flagship Chinese events including the Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo, and World Women’s Congress. In Fujian, Xu brought that international experience to local designers. “Many in Xiamen and beyond haven’t gone global yet. They need help finding their voice,” he says. KCAFé functions as a testing ground for those voices—and a launchpad for cultural diplomacy through design.

How Does a Café Run Without Traditional Marketing?

As a true “guerrilla store,” KCAFé avoids big spending. Its décor comes from years of connections in fashion show circuits—think Spanish craft beers, Irish cider-style ales, American amber lagers, and Scotch golden ales. “We serve what you’d drink at a Chanel party,” Xu says, “just without the dress code.” There’s no flashy signage or mall presence. Instead, it survives through micro-interactions, neighborly flyers, and digital word-of-mouth. The location, away from Fuzhou’s commercial core, reinforces its curated, invite-only feel.

What’s Next for Open Mind-Asia and KCAFé?

By late 2014, Open Mind-Asia planned to officially establish itself in Fujian as the region’s first foreign-owned, multilingual, multicultural PR firm. KCAFé would serve as its cultural front door—a hybrid space where art, commerce, and coffee intersect. The goal wasn’t just to sell drinks, but to help local talent connect with global platforms, and to introduce international brands to China through a distinctly local lens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is KCAFé in Fuzhou?

KCAFé is a café and cultural space in Fuzhou operated by Hong Kong native Xu Haoen. While it sells coffee like cappuccinos and lattes, its main purpose is to host art exhibitions, brand showcases, and design events. It functions as a pop-up venue and cultural outpost for the French agency Open Mind-Asia.

Who runs KCAFé and what is their background?

KCAFé is run by 33-year-old Xu Haoen, a Hong Kong resident originally from Quanzhou. He is the Greater China Expansion Director for Open Mind-Asia, a French creative strategy firm. He has been working in Fujian since 2012 to promote the firm’s activities in the region.

What kind of events does KCAFé host?

KCAFé hosts small-scale art exhibitions, indie designer showcases, film exhibitions, and brand events. It serves as a flexible space for cultural and commercial experimentation, often featuring works from local and regional designers.

Why did Xu Haoen choose Fuzhou for KCAFé?

Xu chose Fuzhou due to its position in the developing Greater Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone. He also has personal connections to the city, having lived and studied there. His childhood memories of a Paris-themed café in Fuzhou influenced his decision to open KCAFé in a similar spirit.

How does KCAFé market itself without traditional advertising?

KCAFé relies on word-of-mouth, social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat, and minimal physical posters. It doesn’t advertise in traditional media and keeps a low profile away from Fuzhou’s busy commercial areas, creating an exclusive, word-driven reputation.

What is Open Mind-Asia’s role in all of this?

Open Mind-Asia is a Paris-based creative agency that has managed events for brands like Hermès and Cartier, as well as major Chinese events like the Olympics and World Expo. In Fujian, Xu uses the firm’s expertise to support local designers and plans to establish it officially as a foreign PR company to bridge global brands and local markets.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Artisan Cafés

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