We discover how Europe’s News & Coffee is merging specialty coffee with curated independent publications.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos courtesy of News & Coffee
In the vibrant streets of Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and London, a revolution in the concept of newsstands is brewing—one that intertwines a love of specialty coffee with a revival of independent print media. News & Coffee is a line of innovative newsstands where people can conveniently grab specialty coffee and curated reads to-go.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Gautier Robial, managing director of News & Coffee, who shared insights on the company’s profound desire for tangible experiences that connect people, especially in an era where digital consumption often overshadows face-to-face interactions.
The Vision Behind News & Coffee
At the heart of News & Coffee is a vision to rejuvenate the traditional newsstand with thoughtful curation of both printed materials and coffee. As Gautier explains, “The newsstand is democratic; it’s in the street, it belongs to everyone.” This philosophy not only seeks to diversify available content but serves to create a communal space where locals and tourists alike can share ideas and cultivate connections.
What sets News & Coffee apart is their unwavering commitment to quality—both in the specialty coffee they serve and in the independent magazines they showcase. Gautier’s journey began in 2004 when he moved to Barcelona, where he and the News & Coffee team recognized a pressing need for fresh ideas and healthy ambition. “We wanted to create something meaningful,” he shares. “We had this desire to give back to the city of Barcelona, especially at a time when it is facing challenges like over-tourism and gentrification.”
A Unique Approach to Print and Coffee
Many may think that coffee is merely a side offering to the print experience, but at News & Coffee, the barista’s craft plays a significant role. “We mostly live from magazines; two-thirds of the business is print,” Gautier notes, underscoring the balance they strive to maintain. The coffee acts as an icebreaker, facilitating conversations among patrons while they browse through the carefully curated selection of independent publications.
The team’s commitment to excellence extends into their coffee practices as well. “So, if you’re not amazing at what you do in Barcelona, there are so many options that people will shift,” Gautier emphasizes. This call for quality ensures that each cup of coffee served is crafted with care and attention, making every visit to a News & Coffee stand an experience rather than just a quick stop.
Building Community in a Digital Age
In a time when human interactions seem to dwindle due to technology, the News & Coffee team is passionate about reigniting that sense of community—one cup of coffee at a time. Gautier reflects on the gentrification of cities and the previously bustling local interactions that have since faded. “Big cities are becoming very inhuman; there’s less and less moments where people can meet,” he laments.
News & Coffee stands serve as refuges—spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together, allured by a shared affection for good coffee and interesting reads. Gautier highlights the unexpected connections that can blossom amidst the shared experience of enjoying a quality brew and print, noting how “grumpy“ men bond over a flat white with young locals in front of the newsstand. “When these people meet in our space, they slowly start talking and discover they have more in common than differences,” he says.
By fostering such interactions, News & Coffee plays a vital role in nurturing community ties and offering a counter-narrative to the isolation found in many urban environments.
The Coffee and Magazine Connection
What truly sets News & Coffee apart is the strong relationship between its coffee offerings and the magazines it promotes. Not just about providing beverages or reading materials, these stands embody a curated experience. “The idea we had at the beginning was to do the best possible coffee as a companion to the best possible read,” Gautier states, highlighting the intentionality behind each offering.
The magazines showcased at News & Coffee are not just filler; they give a platform to voices that may otherwise remain unheard, allowing patrons to explore varied topics as they sip their drinks. By selecting independent publications, the team aims to introduce a refreshing perspective—a mission Gautier refers to as “a celebration” of local and global artistic expression.
This symbiosis of coffee and literature is further enhanced by the team’s initiative to engage their community. News & Coffee has cultivated a loyal clientele that returns not only for the coffee but for insightful discussions surrounding the content they interact with. Gautier emphasizes, “People are coming back once a month, once a week, asking, ‘What you got?’” It’s this engagement that enriches the space, transforming it into a hub of inspiration and creativity.
The Power of Local Collaboration
As News & Coffee continues to flourish, the story of a talented local musician from the neighborhood illustrates the profound impact this concept has had on fostering a sense of community.
A musician approached Gautier and his team, sharing how he wanted to mix music specifically tailored to the newsstand. The News & Coffee team, always open to ideas that celebrate community, embraced the concept wholeheartedly, and now if you pass by their Barcelona location you are likely to hear an eclectic mix of local sounds playing in the background.
News & Coffee is indeed a platform that welcomes creative contributions from the people it serves. Gautier and his team continuously strive to adapt and reflect the communities they inhabit, opening doors for dialogue and collaboration. In this way, News & Coffee goes beyond simply merging quality coffee and curated print. It orchestrates a collective experience, reminding us that the best ideas often arise when we come together as a community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.
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