Tag: #CafeCulture

  • Bean Here! Kini di KPTM Ipoh, Dekati Generasi Muda di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi

    Bean Here! Kini di KPTM Ipoh, Dekati Generasi Muda di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi

    Jenama pilihan tempatan, Bean Here! Coffee & Pastries (Bean Here!), kini dibuka di Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) Ipoh bagi menawarkan pengalaman kafe berkualiti kepada warga kampus serta komuniti sekitarnya.

    Pembukaan cawangan Bean Here! di KPTM ini mencerminkan usaha berterusan Silver Lifestyle Sdn Bhd (Silver Lifestyle), anak syarikat milik penuh Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNPk), dalam memperkasa jenama tempatan yang semakin relevan dalam landskap pengguna semasa, khususnya dalam kalangan belia yang merupakan segmen utama perbelanjaan berasaskan gaya hidup.

    Sejak memulakan operasi pada tahun 2020, Silver Lifestyle telah mengamalkan pendekatan perniagaan yang dinamik dan adaptif terhadap keperluan pasaran, termasuk pembaharuan menu secara berkala serta penyesuaian format operasi mengikut lokasi dan profil pelanggan. Bermula di Perak Techno Trade Centre (PTTC), jenama ini menerima sambutan positif daripada komuniti setempat, sekali gus membina asas kukuh untuk peluasan operasi secara lebih tersusun.

    Kini, Bean Here! beroperasi melalui tiga model utama iaitu Kiosk Uber Concept, Café Swanky Bar dan Kiosk Petite, yang dibangunkan bagi memenuhi kepelbagaian keperluan pasaran. Kehadirannya di lokasi seperti PTTC, Hotel Casuarina@Meru, Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah dan kini di KPTM membuktikan keupayaan jenama ini menyesuaikan penawaran mengikut persekitaran, merangkumi komuniti bandar, sektor hospitaliti serta institusi pendidikan tinggi.

    Menurut Pengarah Silver Lifestyle, Encik Nur Ismail bin Mohammed, strategi pengukuhan dan peluasan jenama Bean Here! dirangka bagi meningkatkan kecekapan operasi serta menyokong pertumbuhan jangka panjang. Beliau berkata pendekatan ini memberi tumpuan kepada perlindungan pelaburan sedia ada, pelaburan strategik serta pengurusan kewangan yang lebih efisien di samping memanfaatkan potensi pasaran bagi menyokong pertumbuhan yang mampan.

    Seiring dengan pelaksanaan strategi ini, Bean Here! turut memperkenalkan pelbagai menu baharu seperti Chicken Tenders, Nachos, Black Forest Spanish Latte dan Cinnamon Latte sebagai sebahagian daripada penawaran yang lebih segar, pantas dan berpatutan bagi memenuhi citarasa golongan belia yang mengutamakan pengalaman santai dan berkualiti. Pengarah Silver Lifestyle Sdn Bhd yang juga bertanggungjawab dalam operasi dan pemasaran Bean Here!, Encik Harris bin Mohd Rodzi, berkata pihaknya turut menilai peluang peluasan strategik secara berfasa ke lokasi berpotensi tinggi seperti terminal KTM serta beberapa institusi pengajian tinggi di Ipoh termasuk UniKL.

    Sementara itu, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM), Tuan Haji Radzuan bin Razali, berkata pembukaan Bean Here! di KPTM Ipoh bukan sekadar ruang menikmati minuman, tetapi turut berfungsi sebagai ruang santai untuk belajar, berbincang dan berinteraksi, di samping menyokong aktiviti pembelajaran serta inisiatif pelajar. Beliau menjelaskan bahawa ruang di aras besmen tersebut telah didedikasikan sebagai tempat untuk pelajar belajar, berdiskusi dan menjalankan aktiviti komuniti termasuk program seni dan muzik, dan kehadiran kafe ini dilihat dapat menghidupkan serta memeriahkan lagi fungsi ruang berkenaan.

    Selaras dengan aspirasi Perak Sejahtera 2030, inisiatif ini memperlihatkan usaha memperkukuh pembangunan ekonomi tempatan melalui pengukuhan rantaian nilai domestik, sejajar dengan flagship Program Mesra Pelabur. Pendekatan ini dilaksanakan melalui kerjasama dengan usahawan dan pembekal tempatan bagi memperkukuh ekosistem “Made in Perak”, di samping membuka peluang pembangunan keusahawanan menerusi model perniagaan fleksibel seperti mikro-francais.

    Menurut Timbalan Ketua Eksekutif (Perhubungan Korporat) PKNPk, Puan Nurdita Fadzlinda binti Ahmad Rasidi, inisiatif ini mencerminkan pendekatan holistik dalam merangsang pertumbuhan ekonomi negeri. Beliau berkata ia bukan sahaja memperkukuh rantaian nilai tempatan, malah mewujudkan lebih banyak peluang kepada usahawan dan pemain industri untuk berkembang dalam ekosistem yang lebih tersusun dan berdaya tahan.

    Selain itu, kehadiran Bean Here! di institusi pendidikan tinggi turut menyokong agenda Koridor TVET Malaysia dan pemerkasaan modal insan melalui latihan industri, pembangunan kemahiran serta peluang pekerjaan kepada belia. Ini secara tidak langsung memperkukuh agenda pembelajaran sepanjang hayat dalam bidang perkhidmatan dan keusahawanan, di samping menyumbang kepada pembinaan ekosistem sosial yang lebih inklusif dan dinamik.

    Tambah beliau, usaha ini turut selari dengan keutamaan negeri dalam pembangunan bakat dan kesejahteraan komuniti, di mana penglibatan sektor swasta dan institusi pendidikan dilihat mampu memperkasa golongan belia dengan kemahiran relevan serta mewujudkan persekitaran yang menyokong interaksi sosial dan pembangunan komuniti secara inklusif.

    Dari sudut penjenamaan negeri, inisiatif ini memperkukuh imej Perak sebagai negeri yang progresif, mesra pelaburan serta berorientasikan bakat, inovasi dan keterangkuman. Pada masa yang sama, penerapan amalan lestari seperti pengurangan penggunaan plastik dan pengurusan sisa secara bertanggungjawab mencerminkan komitmen terhadap agenda pembangunan mampan jangka panjang.

    Majlis pembukaan ini dirasmikan secara bersama oleh Tuan Haji Radzuan Razali dan Puan Nurdita Fadzlinda yang mewakili Ketua Eksekutif PKNPk, Datuk Redza Rafiq. Turut hadir ialah barisan pengurusan KPTM, Silver Lifestyle dan PKNPk sebagai simbol sokongan berterusan terhadap usaha memperkukuh ekosistem ekonomi dan sosial negeri Perak.

  • ICBS 2026 Returns to Kuala Lumpur with Bigger Global Presence and First-Ever Tea Showcase

    ICBS 2026 Returns to Kuala Lumpur with Bigger Global Presence and First-Ever Tea Showcase

    Malaysia’s largest café and beverage trade show, the International Café and Beverage Show (ICBS) 2026, will return for its fifth edition from 7 to 9 May at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, introducing for the first time a dedicated tea segment. The milestone edition reflects the event’s continued growth, with expanded international participation, new industry competitions and an increasing focus on positioning Malaysia as a leading café hub in Southeast Asia.

    Over three days, ICBS 2026 is expected to bring together a dynamic global community, featuring 650 brands alongside 1,000 baristas and 2,000 café owners, with an estimated 13,000 attendees from 55 countries. As the country’s only dedicated café and beverage trade show, ICBS has evolved from a niche industry platform into a key indicator of trends shaping café culture both locally and across the region.

    Organised by Montgomery Asia in partnership with Barista Guild Asia, Eciatto and HJC Global Tea Fair, this year’s edition introduces several new developments that reflect the evolving beverage landscape. Among the most notable is the debut of a dedicated tea segment, developed in collaboration with HJC Global Tea Fair. This marks the first time tea is given a focused platform at ICBS, highlighting its growing importance as it transitions from a supporting offering to a central component of modern café menus in Malaysia and beyond.

    Project Director of Montgomery Asia, Alun Jones, said ICBS has become a catalyst for Southeast Asia’s beverage economy, serving as a platform where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are formed and businesses discover new growth opportunities. He noted that as the show marks its fifth edition, it is not only reflecting industry developments but actively shaping them. He added that while coffee remains the foundation of café culture, there is increasing momentum in specialty tea, ready-to-drink beverages and mixology-inspired concepts, all of which are prominently featured at ICBS 2026.

    The event comes at a time of strong growth in Malaysia’s foodservice sector, which is valued at USD 14.75 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 27.50 billion by 2030. Within this landscape, demand for premium and functional beverages is rising rapidly, with the ready-to-drink tea segment alone expected to grow by USD 32.4 million between 2025 and 2030. These trends reflect changing consumer preferences in how Malaysians dine, socialise and explore new experiences, reinforcing ICBS as a key platform for industry players to respond to these shifts.

    A major highlight of the event is the Malaysia Open Coffee Championship (MOCC), which will feature 38 competitors across three categories: the Malaysia Open Brewers Cup, Malaysia Open Latte Art Championship and Malaysia Open Barista Championship. Beyond showcasing technical skills, the competition serves as an important platform for nurturing talent and elevating standards within Malaysia’s barista community.

    In addition, ICBS 2026 will continue to highlight creativity within the local beverage scene through the Unite Malaysian Taste Challenge 2026. The competition brings together both emerging and experienced mixologists to create story-driven mocktails inspired by Malaysia’s diverse flavour heritage, transforming local ingredients into unique beverage concepts. This initiative reinforces ICBS’s role as a platform for showcasing homegrown innovation to both industry stakeholders and the public.

    Alun Jones further noted that Malaysia’s café scene has matured significantly over the past decade, evolving beyond chain coffee into a vibrant landscape of independent cafés, specialty roasters and concept-driven spaces, supported by a growing consumer base that actively seeks out unique café experiences. He added that ICBS sits at the heart of this ecosystem, serving not just as an exhibition but as a platform where new ideas in Malaysian café culture often emerge.

    Entry to ICBS 2026 is free, with registration now open. The exhibition will run from 7 to 9 May, welcoming trade visitors throughout the event, while opening to the public on 9 May to allow visitors to explore the latest innovations in coffee, tea and beverages firsthand. For more information on ICBS 2026, including exhibition opportunities, partnerships and visitor registration, members of the public are encouraged to visit the official website.

  • Art Toys Café Boosts Toy Collecting with Exclusive Collaborations and Events

    Art Toys Café Boosts Toy Collecting with Exclusive Collaborations and Events

    Since its grand opening in Sunway Pyramid Mall’s Oasis Wing, Art Toys Café has become a vibrant space blending art, culture, and gourmet food. The café is gaining a following by providing toy enthusiasts with a place to enjoy artisanal coffee and pastries while surrounding themselves with a dynamic collection of designer art toys. This unique concept, which fuses café culture with creative expression, offers more than just a meal—it’s an experience.

    One of the major attractions of Art Toys Café is its exclusive collaborations with celebrated toy artists from around the globe. The café has already hosted some impressive international artists and plans to continue bringing globally recognized names to Malaysia for meet-and-greets and art showcases.

    This December, the café is welcoming Yokai Toys, a famous Taiwanese artist known for his whimsical interpretations of Asian folklore, for his first appearance in Malaysia. Fans can interact with the artist, learn about his creative process, and even purchase limited-edition art pieces.

    Following Yokai Toys, in January 2025, Zombie Party, a popular Chinese artist with a unique style that blends humor and horror, will be making an appearance. These exclusive artist events offer fans a rare opportunity to meet their favorite toy creators and gain insight into the world of art toys.

    Datuk Millen Lee, founder of Milolo and Art Toys Café, explained, “We’re excited to offer our patrons the chance to engage with renowned artists and see firsthand the talent and creativity that go into making these collectible toys. It’s a way for us to bring the global art toy community closer to Malaysian fans.”

    While Art Toys Café brings in international stars, it is equally committed to promoting local talent. The café regularly hosts events featuring Malaysian artists and their custom-designed art toys. Recently, the Malaysian Art Toys Showcase provided a platform for local artists to display their works, from limited-edition collectibles to custom creations. These events highlight the emerging talent within Malaysia’s art toy scene.

    Michael Chua, a well-known local artist and key figure in the Malaysian Art Toys Showcase, expressed his enthusiasm: “The opportunity to showcase our work at Art Toys Café has been incredible. It allows us to reach a wider audience and share our passion for art toys with collectors and fans alike.”

    Art Toys Café doesn’t just stop at displaying art toys—it offers a space for creativity to flourish through regular workshops and pop-up events. Visitors can participate in hands-on sessions where they can learn the art of toy customization, paint their own designer toys, or attend live demonstrations by professional artists.

    The café’s mission is to create a community where creativity thrives and visitors can leave with a deeper appreciation for the art of toy-making. “We want to provide a space where people can express themselves creatively and connect with like-minded individuals,” said Olivia Chen, the café’s marketing and events manager.

    For art toy collectors, Art Toys Café is a dream destination. The café offers a rotating collection of exclusive art toys, making each visit a new discovery. From blind box toys to rare limited-edition pieces, the café ensures that toy collectors can find unique items that are not easily available elsewhere. Alongside popular international brands such as Labubu, Zimomo, and Pokémon, the café also features local designers, offering customers exclusive toys that celebrate Malaysia’s growing art toy scene.

    “We aim to create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for collectors,” shared Datin Michelle Lee, co-founder of Art Toys Café. “With our constantly rotating selection of toys, every visit offers something new and exciting.”

    The success of Art Toys Café has spurred plans for expansion, with six new locations set to open in the Klang Valley by the end of 2025. Each new café will continue to embrace the concept of merging art, food, and culture, and will provide opportunities for fans to connect with both local and international artists.

    One of the more exciting developments in the pipeline is the launch of a larger flagship café that will combine Milolo’s retail store and Art Toys Café in a single location. This flagship outlet will serve as a central hub for the art toy community, offering a more immersive experience for fans to explore the world of designer toys while enjoying premium food and drinks.

    With its unique concept, Art Toys Café has established itself as a creative hub for art lovers, toy collectors, and families. By offering a space where visitors can enjoy quality food, explore exclusive art toys, and engage with artists through workshops and events, the café has become a standout destination in Sunway Pyramid Mall.

    As the café continues to expand and develop new collaborations with artists worldwide, it is set to become an even more essential spot for anyone who loves the world of art toys.