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C
offee enthusiast Dale grew up in the Upper Highway area and went to Kearsney College before attending university in New York City at Wagner College on a tennis and academics scholarship, graduating with an advanced BSc in Biopsychology in 2019. “While in NYC for four years my passion for coffee bloomed. I explored Manhattan or Brooklyn a couple of times a week, each time discovering a different, trendy coffee spot. It became my favourite hobby and ironically my tennis teammates used to always tease me saying ‘I don’t know why you even study. You should just open a coffee shop’,” laughs the 25-year-old. Returning home Dale was fortunately met by a commercial coffee machine in his family’s house. “Robin, my dad, was the owner of the Piggly Wiggly in Kloof and had the machine they used refurbished to use at home. Soon enough the pandemic hit, and with so much free time during lockdown I taught myself how to make good coffees and honed my barista skills. “My plan for 2020 was to return to the US to coach tennis, but with lockdown restrictions it was not possible. The idea of starting Crane Flower Coffee arose. The empty storage garage at Robyndale Centre in Kloof was the perfect lockdown business project. I wanted to create a unique aesthetic and atmosphere with elements from the many cafes I experienced in NYC,” says Dale. “Myself, my dad, and one of his employees spent a few weeks building, renovating, and styling the coffee shop. It was so satisfying and fulfilling to see my ideas come to life through our own hands.” Crane Flower is another name for the Strelitzia plant that most South Africans know and love. “I love that this plant is native to South Africa, is striking with bright colours and a unique shape, and has very positive symbolism including freedom,
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COFFEE
with a difference KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN CHATS TO DALE SANDY OF CRANE FLOWER COFFEE
joy, and paradise. Given that I wanted to incorporate these traits into a coffee experience, Crane Flower Coffee seemed like a fitting name,” explains Dale. It’s very important to Dale to be unique and offer interesting, innovative coffee experiences. CFC is becoming well known for its novelty coffee options. “I make my own lavender, mint, and rose flavouring – which are used in floral cappuccinos and lattes. The taste is fresh and non-
artificial, and the colourful latte art is often what customers love most. I also offer a deconstructed cappuccino, which is such an intriguing experience for coffee lovers. Additionally, I am on the journey of roasting coffee myself, and offer a variety of my roasted beans to try here at CFC,” says Dale – who is constantly experimenting and trying new kinds of beans. The coffee shop has a quaintly unique atmosphere. “I’d love for CFC to become a household name and a local favourite in the Upper Highway area. The goal is for this ‘hidden gem’ to be a welcoming space where people know they can always have a coffee or experience that is as good as it looks,” says Dale – adding that sadly so many people drink sub-par coffee every day and do it mindlessly. “I want to inspire customers to develop an appreciation for quality coffee and to maximise their enjoyment by becoming mindful while drinking coffee. At the end of the day, apart from being financially successful, this should be the ultimate goal for any specialty coffee shop.”
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FOR MORE INFO 082 554 9868; daleraysandy@gmail.com; W @craneflowercoffee
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