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Proprietors of Nagaland Coffee Shop Dr. Pieter Vermeulen and Renathung Ezung during the inauguration of the coffee shop in Dimapur on September 1.[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sept. 1: People of Nagaland can finally get the taste of coffee produced from the state with the opening of ‘Nagaland Coffee Shop,’ which was launched in Dimapur today. According to experts, Nagaland coffee is ranked among the best in the world.
Nagaland Coffee Shop is a joint effort of Dr. Pieter Vermeulen and Renathung Ezung. The shop is located at Clock Tower, near
Eastern Mirror office. The shop was inaugurated by Hoto Yeptho, director of land resources.
Conversing over a cup of the local brewed coffee with this Reporter, the shop’s co-owner, Ezung said, “We are not competing with others but taking the brand to the other parts of the world. Everything from raw coffee beans to the finished product ranging from crafting cups to the furniture and small library collections are all locally produced.”
It was with the idea of providing employment opportunities to the local youth, the café was opened, Ezung pointed out. Keeping in mind the rising unemployment problem in the state, he said “we want to create an opportunity for them as well.”
When asked about the expenditure, Ezung said both of them (owners) had given equal shares into the venture. The expenses were met with “our hard earn money,” he added and went on to say that he neither apply for loan nor received financial assistance from the government. He disclosed that about INR 14 lakh was invested for opening of the shop.
Being a starter, Ezung recounted his harrowing time in hiring employees. To ensure finding the right candidates, Ezung candidly confessed that he resorted on two qualities in a person- “passion and patience.” He also added that he looks for an employee having a strong Christian background.
Speaking about giving trainings to the new employees, he said that Dr. Vermeulen took care on those aspects.
Nagaland Coffee Shop will have its presence in Kohima “very soon” provided finding a proper place, Ezung added.
Informing about exporting, he said Nagaland coffees are already being exported to South Africa and indirectly to various parts of Middle East.
The co-owner of Nagaland Coffee Shop, Dr. Pieter Vermeulen, who is based in South Africa, stated that he is passionate about coffees. Further, he added that the coffees of Nagaland are “really good.”
Earlier at the inaugural programme, chief guest of the day, Hoto Yeptho, spoke about the background of coffee business in Nagaland. He narrated that 30 years back, the state government had tried to produce coffee plantation. However, it turned out to be a failed mission due to the poor “market and management” system. It was in 2015 that the state government had taken new initiative into the coffee business and gradually helped the business gained its prominence.
Except on Mondays, the café will be opened on all week days starting from 10 am to 7 pm depending on customer demands. Further services like membership and takeaways will also be provided, it was informed.
