A Cork coffee shop that’s good for the soul...

INSPIRATION from around the world sparked a career change for Sarah Cotter, who is originally from Ballincollig.

Sarah studied at UCC and went on to become an occupational therapist, living and working in London from 2010 to 2013.

She and her boyfriend (soon-to-be husband), Eoin, experienced the grind of big city life and were also introduced to an exciting coffee scene that was unfamiliar to them.

They decided to travel abroad, spending six-months in South America and ultimately reaching Australia where they settled for three years. Melbourne was their fixed abode whilst they enjoyed trips to New Zealand and around Australia. Sarah was working in a hospital in Melbourne but wasn’t happy with her way of life.

I always had the idea of opening my own café. Eoin and my friends were really supportive of this switch in career – so I went for it!

Sarah plied her trade in two cafés in Melbourne. She absorbed as much as she could until they returned to Ireland. She worked stints in Gogos in Douglas, and Naturally Nourished in Mahon, continuing her education in the industry.

She was so committed to her goal of opening her own café, that she would travel to Dublin, scouting out the exciting coffee scene up there, visiting different cafés with her pen and pad, compiling style ideas together into her soon to be realised vision. She and Eoin moved to Douglas and thought it would be an ideal location. That was until Sarah visited a vacancy in Ballincollig.

“I just knew I wanted a corner building with big windows and then I saw this place!” she recalled.

Good for the Soul in Ballincollig was born. The arched black door of the unit is reminiscent of a different era as it splits down the middle to open. The grand windows draw masses of daylight into the café absorbed by the hanging plants that are trimmed to perfection by Sarah’s mom, adding a layer of vibrancy and life over the polished concrete ceiling with exposed steel and ventilation, giving it an industrial chic appearance.

Sarah wanted that look, but also wanted people to feel warm and cosy. She attained that by filling the place with reclaimed wood.

The furniture arrangement has been pieced together from a variety of second hand furniture places around Cork, the chairs are old school chairs and the counters are old teachers’ desks that have been varnished over with the help of her family and in-laws. Even the back of the fridge that juts outside the kitchen has wooden panelling to prevent an eye-sore.

Her eye for detail is obvious. There is a mixture of a minimalism and maximalism aesthetic happening and none of it is by accident.

There is various artwork scattered around that acts like a trail for the presence of previous employees.

“I’ve always had part-timers working here. The café attracts creative types of all kinds,” said Sarah, as she pointed to some murals on the wall, showing me their work.

Menus give nostalgic vibes with Dandy comic book covers adding homely character to the place – an idea stolen from Melbourne.

All their pastries are made in-house by her talented baker, Nina, AKA Queenery Cakes by Nina, who will branch out by herself soon. Her head barista, Dave, wants to open his own place, also.

It was lovely to hear how Sarah was repaying the karmic favour in real time by hiring people who are just like how she was a few years prior, with the intention of opening their own business. This suggested to me a real community feel, as do her list of suppliers - a long list.

Arbutus sourdough, Ballyburden meats, and Ballyfin Eggs. The latter run by a young couple called Ed and Naomi, and Sarah actually sells their eggs in store.

She tried Roasted Brown Coffee in Dublin on one of her scouting trips and has stayed loyal to them from day one, as she loved the taste so much, although they stock and sell West Cork Coffee retail bags also.

They stock and make their own hot sauce, relish, jam, and granola – as if they weren’t busy enough with a full brunch style menu and exquisite coffee brewed out of their La Marzocco Linea PB.

Time moves on and now Sarah and Eoin are married and parents to a daughter, Annie. In the beginning, Sarah used to do everything herself but now she’s a mom she delegates more and more.

She claimed she wasn’t creative as we sat and chatted in her glorious creation. Perhaps artistry isn’t her strong suit, but she certainly has a talent for bringing people together, getting the best out of them, and making the best of what she has.

With its effortless warmth and charm, Good for the Soul, is indeed, good for one’s soul.

Next week: Richard visits Stone Valley Coffee Roasters, Clonakilty.