Gloria Jean’s opens new cafe today at Thurston Street
Gloria Jean’s opens its seventh coffee house in Fiji today. “It was a year coming,” said owner Ariel de Asa yesterday of his Thurston Street chiller and coffee house cafe.
“No way am I closing down any of my shops - if anything, I was only relocating for feasibility sake.” Mr de Asa, said to own the largest coffee cafe franchise in Fiji, built a wooden outdoor decking to complement his dream theme at the Thurston Street cafe.
“This location will offer full breakfast and lunch menu, and barbecue specials on Fridays, enabled through the full kitchen we now have here.”
He said opening his newest coffee shop was timing as it helped absorb staff who were affected by circumstances arising from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Gloria Jean’s Thurston Street cafe will open Monday to Friday, from 7am to 7pm, until demand dictates otherwise, Mr de Asa said.
“It’s really intended for the business community in this area, and the Government workers.”
Gloria Jean’s will open its eight cafe next month, in central Suva. “Opening a business under COVID-19 restrictions hasn’t been easy or cheap - it has taught us to be more smart,” he said.
Mr de Asa owns the master franchise for Gloria Jean’s, an American-Australian gourmet international coffee house chain.