First Story

Upon first glance, First Story is a café, roastery, and event space made for quiet reflection, learning, and community interactions. At the same time, it is also a local social enterprise that employs people with disabilities and special needs — which meant that the coffeehouse had to be specially designed with the needs of their staff in mind.

 

Inspired by comfortingly beautiful libraries scattered all around the world, the formerly bare space transformed into one that is calm and welcoming; embraced by natural tones of beige and grey with soft warm lighting to prevent sensory overloads in employees and patrons alike. The similarities do not end there. Just as libraries were created to educate, First Story was designed to allow all to leave with a slice of meaningful and enriching knowledge about the daily lives of those different from them.

 

Adding to the atmosphere are white and blue tabletops made from raw, nature-inspired materials repurposed from recycled items, such as milk bottles and caps, providing some gentle contrast against the neutral indoor colour palette.