Sitting in PJ, secondfloor.my or 2nd Flooring Cafe began out of a dream to create a social area the place the neighborhood might come collectively for some late-day drinks.
“I used to name it a hangout area, however I feel the time period ‘third area’ that has just lately popped up describes it higher.”
“It’s not house nor work, it’s an area for folks to collect, catch up, and work together with others,” stated Heng, the founder behind the area.
Holding a filmmaking background, Heng was impressed to transform the rooftop area into a restaurant by the romantic rooftop scenes from the films he’s watched.
And so, Heng stated that with a RM100,000 funding sourced from family and friends, 2nd Flooring Cafe had its begin on, nicely, the second ground of a three-storey block in SS4, the place he turned his interest of brewing kombucha into a complete aspect hustle.
“I feel our first weekend was my most memorable second. It’s sort of like having your imaginative and prescient be realised. It’s the identical feeling as after I was directing advertisements—you will have your artwork division in, your actors, your wardrobe, your lights, your digicam and all the pieces in your thoughts showing on the monitor,” Heng stated.
Setting shifts
Sitting atop one other cafe, Midday Viennoiserie, the 2 cafes collaborate to serve prospects at completely different instances of the day, with the artisanal bakery open from 7.30AM to six.30PM, whereas 2nd Flooring runs from 6PM to 12AM.
“The collaboration provides a alternative for the client. Throughout the day, [Noon Viennoiserie] targets the lunch rush, or the fast-paced employee searching for their caffeine repair.”
“When the daybreak is right here, nonetheless, 2nd Flooring presents a spot to crank down after an extended day. Particularly for individuals who don’t need to be caught within the jam and are searching for someplace to remain whereas they wait,” stated Heng.
However greater than that, 2nd Flooring Cafe has change into a favoured hangout spot for these with an adventurous or eccentric palate and an affinity for cosy vibes.
“Let’s sit on a rooftop and speak about life”
… Says the neon signal on the outside space of the cafe.
And with strings of lightbulbs overhead and crops filling the world, it actually appears like the right place for these deep convos with the gang, fuelled with slightly alcohol, after all.
However they’ve a extra particular beverage proposition: “We now have been serving kombucha on faucet since day one.”
“I’m a robust believer that kombucha needs to be served contemporary on faucet in order that extra individuals are prepared to strive it; plus, it’s loads brisker in comparison with the bottled model,” stated Heng, who began brewing kombucha in 2019.
With choices from the basic ‘uncooked’ kombucha to fruit-flavoured kombuchas, the cafe presents patrons a flexible menu for any palate.
Together with the faucet kombucha, 2nd Flooring Cafe additionally serves a powerful vary of craft beer, with a rotating listing of ales and lagers sourced from numerous areas throughout the globe.
In the event you’re simply searching for meals to fill the tank, nonetheless, the rooftop cafe additionally presents hearty Japanese and native dishes, comparable to their Nasi Le Marc Pasta (fettuccine served with hen chop and sambal) and Chilli Crab Pasta, together with their ramyun and rice bowls.
Constructing a neighborhood
Because the cafe’s begin, Heng has dedicated his enterprise to constructing his personal neighborhood.
From kombucha brewing workshops to biking meets, Heng has opened up his area to takeovers and occasions.
I wished to do extra neighborhood participating exercise, anchoring 2nd Flooring Cafe as my base.
Heng additional added that the occasions have additionally helped in conserving 2nd Flooring Cafe in folks’s minds and conversations.
“Similar to some other ‘third area,’ folks like new locations and have a tendency to overlook in regards to the previous ones.”
“Our gross sales have been declining for the reason that finish of 2024 and I believed we would have liked to take motion to make sure that we’re financially sustainable. As such, internet hosting occasions and workshops can be our quick time period aim for 2025 and 2026,” Heng stated.
With extra within the pipeline for making full use out of their area and additional elevating the neighborhood they’ve constructed, 2nd Flooring Cafe has confirmed itself to be a worthwhile effort, even via these bumpy first years.
I assume the largest takeaway is progress over perfection.
“That’s what I be mindful after I dip my foot into an trade that I don’t have any expertise in; studying alongside the way in which and figuring out that failing is the step that must be taken to maneuver ahead.”
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Featured Picture Credit score: 2nd Flooring Cafe
