By Wintec journalism student Valu Maka
Reload café opened its doors to the Cambridge public on August 13, furnished with repurposed furniture and loaded with on-the-go coffee and handmade baking goods.
Reload owner Jody Joblin expressed her excitement about finally launching her own café after being the manager at Red Cherry for 11 years.
“Coffee has always been my passion so I’ve been trying to get back to what I am passionate about. When we started it was a completely empty white shoe box but what it is now, is pretty cool – it’s funky and quirky.”
The café’s ethos of reuse, recycle, refill is conveyed through the revamped counter crafted from scaffolding planks, barndoors that have been cut and sanded into tables, and even a coffee knock box named ‘Bruiser’ handmade from native timber and a ladder rung. The repurposed furniture is made by Joblin’s partner, Tony Sadler.
“His hobby is to make recycled furniture with repurposed timber. During lockdown he didn’t have many materials so he started crafting furniture for the shop with what he had and what he could find – he’s very talented.”
Joblin says the success of the launch for Reload café would not be possible without the help of pastry chef and baker Gabriela Turcu.
“Gabi is a passionate baker. We’ve got cakes and slices that are keto, dairy-free and gluten-free options.”
Additionally, The Reload café app is accessible on your phone so that you can order, pay and get quick service.
“We know the importance of a good cup of coffee and a fast coffee. We want people to reload fast. You know like get coffee, food, fast.”
Find the up-and-go ‘Reload’ café on Campbell Street, between the Laundromat self-service and Team Hair Xpress salon.
