The peak of perfection

Lauren Livingstone and Jack Sim aim to reflect the joys of exploring mountains at new coffee shop, writes Karla Sinclair

Upperkirkgate in Aberdeen will soon be home to an exciting new coffee shop as Mount prepares to open its doors. Directors Lauren Livingstone and Jack Sim received the keys to the premises, a former Zen Spa, on Thursday September 15.

It took just five weeks to renovate and refurbish the space, with the business’s official opening taking place earlier this week.

It boasts 25 covers including a window bar and a soft furniture snug area.

Lauren and Jack, who have been friends for more than 10 years, have always dreamed of running their own business.

However, the pair wanted “to make sure it was something that is authentic and true” to who they are and what they enjoy.

CAFE CULTURE

Lauren and Jack have lived in different places around the world over the years, and it was during these travels that they fell in love with coffee and the cafe culture.

In Lauren’s case, it was while studying social care in Bali. For Jack, this occurred in Texas where he studied design and architecture and played football.

“On our return, Jack moved back to Aberdeen and worked as an engineer, and I moved to London and landed a marketing job,” Lauren said.

“We both reunited back in Aberdeen, and spent most of our weekends up Munros and touring coffee shops around Scotland.”

INSPIRED BY CAIRNGORMS

From this – and while at the peak of Carn Aosda in the Cairngorms – the entrepreneurs decided to create a brand and design a space that embodied the feeling you experience when you reach the top of a mountain and feel inspired when you come down.

Lauren added: “We agreed that when we reach the bottom we are going to embark on this journey together and give it our all. To achieve, you’ve got to believe!

“Creating a space in our home city that represents what we want to see in the world is super important to us.”

Mount will be open from 8am to 4pm Wednesday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sundays.

It will have a team of three in the early stages with the potential to expand.

In terms of the interior, Lauren and Jack describe it as “a warm, welcoming space that offers a mountain-top experience”.

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE

“Mount is the outdoor experience, indoors,” says Jack.

The directors are working with a talented array of locals to bring a menu together.

Lauren said: “Our lovely baker is called Florence, and we have the delicious pastries baked to perfection by Meline at Feingeback (an Aberdeen baking business).”

SWEET TREATS

CREATING A SPACE IN OUR HOME CITY THAT REPRESENTS WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO US

Maple pecan swirls, Biscoff cronuts, frangipane mince pies, and mint chocolate cruffins are among the bakes in Feingeback’s portfolio – and may be available at Mount in the future.

“Our savoury goods will include Wark Farm Pies, a selection of hot and cold sandwiches filled with locally-sourced and quality produce, and freshly-made alternating salads to enjoy as a side or main,” Lauren added.

“We are so excited to welcome people through our door from all walks of life.

“We love meeting people, learning from others, and want to grow a community of people who appreciate and love the

outdoors.”

SHARED VISION: Jack Sim and Lauren Livingstone at their new cafe, Mount on Upperkirkgate.