Soma Espresso Bar: Scott Ruwoldt opens new cafe in Mount Gambier

A South East business owner plans to elevate the black coffee market when he throws open his doors in Mount Gambier this morning. See inside.

Driven by a passion for coffee and years of hard work, a Mount Gambier man has finally been able to realise his dream after opening his own cafe.

Scott Ruwoldt said he began his “naive” dream of opening his own cafe three years ago but soon discovered he had a lot to learn.

He soon got to work and on Wednesday it paid off when he officially opened his business.

After years of hard work and with a passion for excellent coffee Scott Ruwoldt is excited to unleash Mount Gambier's latest cafe Soma Espresso Bar. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“Three or four years ago — I was just another delusional person that wanted to open a coffee shop,” he said.

Mr Ruwoldt has worked at Bay Blue Espresso Bar, ScRoll Queen and Bricks and Mortar Coffee Co.

He said Peter Loring from Bricks and Mortar Coffee Co was an excellent role model.

“I could directly ask questions all the time, which was amazing and invaluable,” he said.

Despite enjoying his time at his various hospitality jobs, Mr Ruwoldt said the freedom of working for himself and being “free of the shackles of a boss” was too appealing.

Soma Espresso Bar will initially be take away only, open from 6am — 1pm Tuesday — Friday with weekends limited to 7am — 12pm.

But over the next few months Mr Ruwoldt hopes to accommodate dine-in customers and install a coffee bench along the window.

Mr Ruwoldt will be doing it on his own initially but may hire some additional staff.

Scott Ruwoldt hopes he can convert more Mount Gambier residents to drinking black coffee. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Mr Ruwoldt said he was hoping to convert people to black coffee.

“I want to try and fully elevate the black coffee market,” he said.

“I think it's an underappreciated part of coffee.”

Soma will be using a single origin roast from Ona Coffee for its blacks, and a blended roast from Bricks and Mortar Coffee Co for milk-based coffee.

Located on James Street, opposite Cheap As Chips, Mr Ruwoldt is hopeful Soma will become a community spot with no expectations.

“Cafes are kind of the current day bars,” he said.