How a Chinese Bookstore Owner Built Two Specialty Coffee Shops in Luoyang

It’s 2009, and you’re dreaming of opening a quiet, old-world independent bookstore—something with soul, filled with well-worn tomes and curious objects. You travel far and wide collecting vintage books and antiques, only to watch as iconic bookshops close one after another. That’s where our story begins: not with a cup of coffee, but with a longing for a space where people could slow down. Eventually, that dream evolved into something just as intentional: a series of carefully designed specialty coffee shops in Luoyang, China.

In short: one former bookseller, over a decade of collecting ideas and photos, and two coffee-focused spaces—‘’ (Coffee Flavor’s Study) and ‘’ (Coffee Flavor’s Life Hall)—built from passion, 60GB of coffee imagery, and deep mentorship.

The Spark: From Books to Coffee

The original vision was a bookstore—a cozy, timeless place filled with personality. But by the late 2000s, the market for independent bookstores was shrinking fast. While preparing for that dream, the founder immersed herself in coffee culture instead, traveling city to city and documenting cafés. By the time she opened her first shop, she had accumulated 60GB of original café photography. That visual archive became the blueprint for crafting warm, intentional spaces from scratch.

Coffee Flavor’s Study: The First Café

Opened roughly two years before the article’s publication, Coffee Flavor’s Study was designed as “a place where people, coffee, and books meet.” The slogan reflects its core mission: creating a tranquil environment where connections form over shared interests. The interior includes vintage books and curated objects the owner collected, refreshed monthly with new reading recommendations. More than serving coffee, the space fosters conversations—about music, ideals, and, of course, coffee. The goal? To be a “spiritual hub” where strangers with similar vibes meet, connect, and sometimes even fall in love. A strong cup, skilled baristas, and an intangible atmosphere are what make a café truly work.

Coffee Flavor’s Life Hall: Coffee as Lifestyle

The second location, Coffee Flavor’s Life Hall, shifts focus slightly outward—from literary connection to broader lifestyle expression. It incorporates music, personal stories, designer goods, and custom coffee experiences. Here, baristas don’t just follow recipes—they engage with customers to adjust grind size, dose, brew time, and technique to highlight each coffee’s unique character. The idea is personalization: crafting a cup as individual as the guest. Even when customers feel lost or directionless, the cafe offers reassurance through the presence of dedicated craftspeople perfecting their art for the sheer love of it. This location underscores a core belief: a café isn’t just a place to buy drinks—it’s a space where time slows and stories unfold.

The Mentor: Wei Lingpeng

A pivotal figure in the founder’s journey was her instructor, Wei Lingpeng. Calm and steady, he embodied a deep, quiet passion for coffee. Though his enthusiasm wasn’t immediately visible, his decades-long commitment to the craft left a lasting impression. Under his guidance, she developed not only technical skills in coffee preparation but also an appreciation for the mindset required to run a meaningful café. His influence shaped both shops’ focus on quality, hospitality, and the less tangible elements that define a great coffee experience.

What Is Coffee Shop–Style Living?

The article describes the café lifestyle as encompassing sunlight, fresh air, flowers, books, music, conversation, chance encounters, and moments of stillness. In these spaces, people of all backgrounds—different nationalities, ages, and professions—come together. The daily mix of visitors brings a vibrant energy, turning each shop into a microcosm of human interaction. Coffee shops sell more than beverages or snacks; they offer segments of time, physical spaces, and sometimes even narratives. The goal is to create an environment where people can pause, reflect, and connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inspired the founder to open coffee shops in Luoyang?

Originally, she dreamed of opening a vintage independent bookstore, but as those closed nationwide, she shifted focus to coffee. After extensive travel and research—including amassing 60GB of café photos—she opened her first coffee-focused space with the same values she’d wanted for her bookstore: atmosphere, connection, and quiet beauty.

What is the concept behind Coffee Flavor’s Study?

The first café, Coffee Flavor’s Study, is designed as a meeting point for people, coffee, and books. It features curated vintage decor, rotating book selections, and an emphasis on creating a calm, welcoming space for conversation and connection. The motto is “a place where people, coffee, and people meet.”

How does Coffee Flavor’s Life Hall differ from the Study?

Coffee Flavor’s Life Hall broadens the concept to include lifestyle elements like music, personal stories, and designer goods. It offers personalized coffee experiences where baristas adjust variables like grind size, dose, and brew technique to suit each customer, making each cup unique.

Who was the mentor behind the founder’s coffee knowledge?

Her key mentor was Wei Lingpeng, a calm and dedicated coffee professional. He taught her advanced brewing skills and instilled a deep respect for coffee’s craft and ethos, shaping the foundational philosophy of both cafés.

What kind of atmosphere do these cafés aim to create?

Both locations aim for a tranquil, soulful atmosphere where people can slow down. They prioritize natural light, cozy corners, quality coffee, and human connection over trends or noise. The vibe is intentional, warm, and community-focused.

Do the cafés serve food or just coffee?

The article doesn’t specify food offerings, but it emphasizes coffee, books, music, and personal interaction as central to the experience. The focus is on the overall atmosphere and individualized coffee service rather than a traditional food menu.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Café Atmosphere

For a café like Coffee Flavor’s Study or Life Hall, consider FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for its floral brightness and complex citrus notes—ideal for engaging conversations over pour-over. Pair it with the Yirgacheffe for a juicy, tea-like body that highlights subtle fruit tones, perfect for quiet afternoons with a book. Both beans showcase the clarity and care in brewing that defines third-wave spaces. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.