An ex-prison is a strange place to open a coffee shop, but under the vision of professional baristas Attila Csik and John Luck this eccentric prospect may become a reality.
An ex-prison is a strange place to open a coffee shop, but under the vision of professional baristas Attila Csik and John Luck this eccentric prospect may become a reality.
The shop, which will sell Italian-style coffees and home-made pastries, is being set up at the Provost panopticon prison on Lucas Avenue.
The pair who originally met in Holland had a score of challenges to overcome to reach this dream however.
Apart from the obvious challenge of start-up costs to any business, the historical value of the building itself has had an impact on their progress.
“We couldn’t get proper blueprints for the Provost, so putting in pipes has been difficult. Also, the building was last renovated in 1983 and needs a lot of work. We can’t even knock any holes in the walls, so we’re working with what we’ve got,” Luck said.
Despite these challenges, he’s adamant that the old prison will soon become a place where students can relax or even study.
Once painted and ready, the upstairs section will have comfy chairs, books and board games, and the academically-inclined can sign up to use one of the old cells as a quiet – albeit unconventional – study room.
Luck also plans to put old photographs from the Rhodes University Rowing Club’s history, as well as general Rhodes memorabilia, in the new coffee place.
“I have a lot of history at Rhodes – both of my grandmothers went here,” he said.
Luck is a third-year commerce student himself, and coaches the university’s rowing club.
He estimates that they’ll open their doors to the public about six weeks, meaning you should be able to get your own jail-break cuppa sometime in early April.
