Case Study: The New Kids on the Coffee Block rock Oliver Harvey Cafe Uniform

In this Oliver Harvey case study, we take a look at how Kin + Ilk found a cafe uniform that suited their creative, niche brand.

If there’s one thing Britain has seen a recent uptrend in, it’s coffee shops. We’re all very familiar with the big names, such as Costa, Starbucks and Café Nero, but a fresh name is hitting the market in a big way.

Kin + Ilk is a coffee shop at Capital Quarter in Cardiff which opened on January 8^th 2016. They have also acquired two more places in Pontcanna and Cardiff Bay which will open later this year.

So, how did a local café that’s barely two weeks old achieve cult popularity in such a short space of time? It found a niche untapped by the multinational coffeehouses.

 Kin + Ilk was born out of a need for a café which legitimately resonated with people in the area. As such, the foundations of their business are built on two key mantras.

The first of these is to use locally sourced Welsh ingredients for absolutely everything they sell. From the ribboned beef used in their sandwiches, to the coffee they serve and even the water, every item on the menu is rich in Welsh ingredients.

As a bonus, they are also licenced to serve alcohol, and as such have a veritable smorgasbord of local wines, ales and ciders. In a coffee shop!

The second lies in the consumer base they target. Their first location is right in the heart of the Cardiff Enterprise Zone, making a perfect relaxation or meeting spot for busy professionals.

The calm, creative atmosphere provided by Kin + Ilk makes it perfect for casual business meetings, freelance work discussions and even for use as an exhibition space for artists and photographers.

The owners have a rich history of being creative. One of the directors produced the cover art for albums by The Prodigy, Freestylers and Roni Size just to name a few. This experience shines through clearly in everything from their modern, spacious interior design right down to the logo.

As such, Kin + Ilk needed a cafe uniform to match. Of course, they came to us.

They were struggling to find a set of aprons which represented their rustic brand and were able to be made bespoke for them.

Our range of denim aprons were the perfect complement for their niche style. As you can see from the image they sent us, they were also able to use their creative nous and embroider their logo on too. Looking good lads!