Monday, May 12, 2008 Coffee at its best at Kopiroti By Grace L. Plata
COFFEE, bread and eggs -- a "merienda" trio so deeply-entrenched in the Filipino consciousness that it survives until the present.
This basic principle was what attracted couple Leo and Zeny Ortega, both practicing dentists with an 11-year-old dental supply store, to get a hold of a Kopiroti franchise -- the first outside Metro Manila.
The fare at Kopiroti would attract even the simplest of persons who are not much into the "coffeeshop" culture -- that of gathering and whiling the hours away sipping whipped cream-topped flavored coffee with foreign-sounding names.
Theirs is the downright simple "tinapay", soft boiled-eggs with soya sauce and white pepper which you can pair with either coffee (with milk) or tea -- all these prepared in the traditional way.
No heavy and expensive coffee machines here. One can even watch the staff prepare your meal.
For children, a homemade iced tea is also available as well as the best-loved French Toast.
"A delicious, affordable and filling meal -- that is what we offer," Zeny said.
Kopiroti is yet to celebrate its first year on July 31 but the Ortegas said they have been operating at a stable pace since the 3rd month of operation.
"Mabilis lang talaga kasi. Mga families mostly ang pumupunta dito. Dito rin kasi nag-aantay yung mga clients namin. Pampawala ba ng kaba, most kasi takot sa dentista (It is really just fast. Most families are the ones who come. It is also here where our clients opt to wait to take away the nervousness as most are scared of dentists)," Leo joked.
The Ortegas also personally entertain their guests.
"Masarap yung in-touch ka din sa customers mo. The shop is more like a gathering place for family and friends talaga," Zeny said.
As advice to would-be franchisers or entrepreneurs, the couple said it should be something they are really interested in and they should really have time to be "hands-on".
"Find a business that is easy to maintain and manage especially if you have a career outside of it," Leo said.
Kopiroti is located near the corner of Jacinto Extension and Araullo Street.
The shop now offers the "Choco Bun" - another addition to their repertoire of delicious "tinapay". (GLP)
