Kai is the founder of SWIG, a coffee shop that started as a simple idea inspired by his love for coffee and fashion. What began as a mobile coffee van has now grown into a permanent spot, but the meaning behind the name still holds strong. SWIG stands for “See Where I Go,” a nod to the early days when customers had to track down the van to grab a coffee.
We met up with Kai back in December to chat about his journey and how SWIG has become a community hub in his hometown of Stretford. From loyal regulars to lifelong friendships, SWIG is all about good coffee and even better connections.
Where did the idea for SWIG come from?
The idea for swig originated from my love for coffee and that I wanted to have a coffee van I could sell coffee from. It was only ever an idea in my head which started as a concept that involved coffee and clothes, from being inspired by other great coffee shops similar to this around the world I had been to.
What does the name SWIG mean?
I have always said the word swig since being a kid for most drinks so this felt right to call it swig. However, the name swig is actually an acronym for ‘see where I go’. When I started the van you had to try and find where I was gonna be to grab a coffee from me as this was the model at the beginning, ironically I now have a permanent shop so it’s funny how that name now sounds.
Was the plan always to have a coffee van and then a coffee shop or was it an idea that evolved over time?
The plan was to just open a mobile van and see what happened probably most likely just have more vans that’s what I originally thought however the shop just naturally came around and the opportunity was in front of me so I couldn’t have left it.
Seeing the same customers everyday must be a nice feeling, do you find yourself bonding towards the community you serve daily?
For sure seeing the same customers is why I do all of this, the reward is like no other as this shows you’re doing what you set to execute well. Even when I first started the van and had next to no customers I still have great friendships with people who supported early on. Now the community is growing each day with some great loyal customers who I am very good friends with now. Bonds have very much been made which is absolutely amazing for me.
Where did the decision come from to open up in Stretford?
To be honest I never intended to choose Stretford, the story is I was on the way back from my street trading pitch in Chorlton in the coffee van and on the way home, about a 5 minute drive I saw on the way home the shop we are in now had a banner that it was being advertised as a shop front. I was actually with my mum at the time and we couldn’t believe it because those shops had been closed down for a good amount of years, maybe 10. As you can imagine I was up all night waiting for a response the next day to my message I had. I knew Stretford needed something like this as I am from Stretford and grew up there so for me this is absolutely crazy that I am now able to own a shop in a place I am from and give back to my people!
What do you do in your spare time to take your mind off work?
In my spare time I love to walk my dogs, eat good food and drink mostly with family or friends. I do love a good pint of Guinness too, I also love to indoor climb which I try and do a few times a week. I am very much into fashion and photography since I studied these both so I often do a lot of personal photography projects and keep an eye on what’s going on in the fashion world as much as I can. I am a huge music fan so going to the smiths disco with my cousin is a must whenever I have time and a good techno event with the lads is always on the cards if I am free.
If you could have another coffee shop anywhere in the world, where would you want it?
Oooo if I could open another coffee shop it would have to be in Seoul in South Korea due to how much I loved it when I was over there , but if I’m being realistic I would probably say a little village near my family home town in Italy near Napoli just due to the fact of how beautiful it is and Italian coffee isn’t great so they need the good stuff!
