"Everything we do is about how we can impact the community in a more positive and happy way". We chat to our mate Damo (a Melbourne hospo legend) about Coe & Coe's beginnings, his ultimate panini and what's kept him sane through these uncertain times.
Damo! Can you tell us a bit about what you do?
We are Coe & Coe, a hospitality and coffee business based out of Melbourne. We are a people-focused business, from team to customers, everything we do is about how we can impact the community in a more positive and happy way. We have three stores in Port Melbourne, Cremorne & Yarraville. We have also branched out into two new businesses called Cactus Food Club and Frontside Food & Wine where you can also find Almighty.
When did you start Coe & Coe? And why?
We started Coe & Coe in 2014, our family had always wanted to own a cafe and as my brother lived in Europe a lot it was a great chance to learn how best to do it. There weren’t a lot of places that focused on takeway/sandwiches back then so it was a more ‘sit down pretty cafe’ market. We wanted to simplify it and focus on just doing three things and doing them well - panini, juice and coffee. We wanted to focus on hospitality and going above and beyond for customers, something we thought was lacking in the market. just general friendly customer service.
We understand paninis are your thing, what’s your ✨utlimate ✨panini?
Simplicity is key for me, my favorite sandwiches are the simple ones. If you have good quality products especially the bread, the bread is everything you don’t need to over load it with ingredients. So many places try to overcomplicate it with shitloads of meat and sauce. The spicy tuna and freddies are my favourite of ours.
It’s for sure been a time of rollercoaster uncertainty, what’s kept you sane?
It’s been the toughest year of my life, post-Covid has been way more stressful than peak Covid, but my amazing partner Bianca is always there to talk me through it. I journal and I’m also involved in 57 group chats with friends which is always a great laugh. Laughing fixes everything.
If you had to pick, what would you say is the best part of what you do?
Hands down the people, the customers we meet every day are all doing inspiring and awesome things and it leads to so many opportunities. They bring the energy just as much as we do, I really enjoy making people happy and bringing some fun into their daily routine. Plus making work fun for our team, I love hearing how much our team enjoy working with us.
How do you like to take time for yourself and maintain balance?
I always try and keep fit and move my body. It’s really important for not only physical energy but mentally as well. Running hospitality venues you really have to prepare for every day, management is constantly about putting out fires and you need to be feeling good to get the result.
But on the opposite side of it lol ….
I also love a drink, socialising is what I love to do and it’s what living is all about. Melbourne is the best for that there’s so many amazing hospo venues here.