Drummoyne cafe offers $2.47 coffee to “make a statement” about the cost of living crisis

Fed up with all the bad news hospitality stories, John Christopoulos took over Espresso 2047 and to entice locals he has introduced a range of deals catered to combat the cost of living crisis.

In a bid to bring people back to their local, one cafe owner is offering up coffee for $2.47.

Fed up with all the bad news hospitality stories, retail expert John Christopoulos has taken over the running of Drummoyne’s Espresso 2047.

To entice locals into the new operation, Christopoulos offers up $2.47 espressos. That compares to the cost of a standard coffee is pushing past $5 at many Sydney cafes as owners grapple with increasing labour, utility and supplier costs, and even international giant McDonalds is charging $4.15 for their smallest size.

At Ona Cafe in Marrickville, there is a cup of coffee that cost $35.

“I don’t make money on that but it does, more than anything, invite people in to try your product. It breaks down the barriers of is it too expensive because there is so much negativity around the price of goods,” he said.

John Christopoulos, at his cafe, Espresso 2047, in Drummoyne. He is selling a coffee for $2.47 Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“It gives people an excuse to try your product, talk to you and engage with you and it’s a little bit of a fun. I’m a big believer of getting people back in.”

While cost of living increases like rent, electricity and produce have reduced margins in local cafes and “spooked a lot of operators”, Christopoulos, who has a background in retail and hospitality consultancy, wanted to take over the venue to make a “statement.”

He also has introduced offers like a coffee and ham and cheese toastie for less than $9 and a giant muffin for just under $5.

“I’m local and look at the amount of people that go past here each day, and what a local hub this is, I wanted to breathe life into something that was dead,” he said.

“People want to talk to the barista, and know their name. It’s not a sterile experience. We’ve got to get people back to the local cafe.”

Espresso 2047 has seen triple the turnover since offering the price conscious offerings. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

In six weeks, Christopoulos said he’s tripled the business by servicing the locals, listening to the locals and modifying the offerings.

“Too many people I’ve dealt with say, “The Sky is falling,” and I say, “What are you going to do about it?”

It comes at a time when a survey has shown the importance of the local cafe to our mental health.

In the lead up to R U OK? Day, payment company Tyro has a soon-to-be released survey data that show that more than half of Australians say going to their ‘local’ makes them feel a part of their community.

While a whopping 93 per cent, so nearly all, of Australian small business owners in hospitality and retail feel like their adding something to their lives of their customers through their interactions.

Tyro’s Head of Instore Payments, Matt Patterson said: “Our research highlights how important the hospitality & retail industries are when it comes to building a sense of belonging within our in communities. Since Covid, customers have been craving that human connection more than ever and we know going to the local cafe, bar, or even shops provides an easy way to engage with others.”