Community Cornerstone is brought to you by Square. 

We all have a grá for our local coffee spot.

All over Cork, nestled amidst the bustling streets and historic landmarks, lies a vibrant tapestry of local cafés. These cosy havens, each with its unique charm, serve more than just coffee and pastries; they are the cornerstones of our communities.

We’re delving into the personal stories of the passionate individuals behind those busy counters, all powered by Square’s all-in-one solution for food and beverage businesses.

Paul Manning, Stir It Coffee, Glounthaune

“I already had a business onsite. A roadside diner, serving breakfasts, lunch and dinners. It really was a real struggle to run; high operational costs, staff intensive, low margin. I was interested in the coffee business for a long time. Whenever I was away for a few days, in Ireland or abroad, I was always calling into places for a coffee and a look around. My phone would be full of photos of other businesses, their presentation, their decor… all kept for when I was able to do that for myself.

“The name was always in my mind. I’d look at a busy cafe elsewhere and think that if I could do a third of their turnover, then I would be happy. After COVID, it was nearly impossible to operate the diner. I couldn’t attract new customers, I couldn’t get cooks. The new Glounthaune Cycle/Walkway was about to begin construction outside, so I thought, it’s now or never. It’s time to give the cafe a go.

“Doing anything in business is a risk. It’s money from your own pocket that you will never see again if it fails, and even if you succeed, it may be a long time before you can pay yourself back. I have a family, I have a mortgage, and taking a risk becomes a much bigger deal when you have those elements to consider.

“Choosing the right technology is important. Square has been great. Having all our sales information at my fingertips on the mobile app, is ideal, especially when I can’t be on site all day long. It’s convenient and very easy to use.

“We have our own bakery so we don’t have to buy goods from other suppliers. It also means we can put on a sensational display of baked goods every morning. Our scones and pastries are still warm when our first customers come in the door each morning.

“We open our doors at 7 am to serve customers on their way to work. It’s busy right through the day now.

“Our homemade scones are very very popular. We bake them fresh every morning and serve them along with our homemade jam – it’s hard to beat that! People have told me they will travel just to have one of our scones.

“Our biggest success has been the response from the local community. It’s been amazing. We’ve become a meeting place, a stopping point, and even a post-workout treat spot, for customers both young and old.

“We are always growing and improving the business. I’m always on the lookout, visiting similar businesses to see what they are doing and thinking about whether any new ideas or concepts may work in Stir It too. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned along the way is that if something isn’t working then don’t be afraid to change it. I’d advise any new food industry entrepreneurs to do your research, keep it simple and be hands-on.

“If the right location comes up at the right time I would definitely consider expanding. The feedback from the local community has been wonderful and we can see the potential is there for future growth.”

Community Cornerstone is brought to you by Square, the flexible restaurant POS solution your staff can learn in minutes. Square takes payments quickly and keeps the queue moving, with a host of extra bonuses to track sales and manage inventory. Find the best solutions for your business needs at square.com. Square is Big in Cafes, and Stir It is Big in Cork.

Squareup International Limited, trading as Square, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. #PoweredBySquare

Photos: Louis Tang