Henderson youth to open specialty coffee shop

Youth charitable trust Zeal is proud to announce the opening of The Zeal Coffee Shop this Saturday 31 May, a project led by local Henderson youth Hayley Smith (16) and Levi Hohua (19).

Located at Zeal’s youth facility at 20 Alderman Drive, The Zeal Coffee Shop was birthed when Hayley and Levi approached Zeal West Manager, Matt Grey, with the idea to use the Zeal facility as a platform to sell great coffee to the public.

"Zeal is committed to working with young people," says Matt Grey. "Hayley and Levi came to us with a great idea, a strong business case and a background of experience as baristas at our creative youth events. It made perfect sense."

With the green light, Levi and Hayley got down to work. Over the next three months with the help of Zeal staff the project took shape. Levi and Hayley designed the coffee shop branding, raised funds for the fit-out, worked with other young people to build the shop furniture and formed an agreement with specialty coffee supplier Peoples Coffee.

With the big opening this Saturday Hayley is naturally excited: "I’m keen to create the perfect first cup of coffee or hot chocolate and see people coming back as regulars."

For Levi the journey itself has been rewarding. "It was harder than I thought to set up your own business, but people believed in us and gave us support. I can’t wait to see them and show them what we have achieved."

In the beginning Hayley and Levi will be concentrating on takeaway coffee and muffin specials.

In the future they want to see The Zeal Coffee Shop develop as a space to showcase youth entrepreneurship and to help other youth gain work experience and learn the art of making a great coffee.

The Zeal Coffee Shop opens on Saturday 31 May 2014 at Zeal West, 20 Alderman Drive, Henderson.

Opening hours are 7am-2pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Donations to the project can be made at http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/ZealCoffeeProject

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