BREWZ Coffee Celebrates 15 Years in BTM Layout

This year marks a significant milestone for us at BREWZ Coffee as we celebrate fifteen wonderful years of serving the BTM Layout community in Bengaluru. What began as a small passion project has blossomed into a beloved neighborhood institution, thanks to the incredible support of our customers, team members, and the vibrant local community.

As we reflect on this journey, we wanted to share some memories, milestones, and the story of how BREWZ became more than just a coffee shop—it became a community hub where connections are made, ideas are born, and of course, exceptional coffee is served.

The Beginning: A Dream Brewed from Passion

BREWZ Coffee was born from a simple yet powerful vision: to create a space where quality coffee, warm hospitality, and community connection could thrive together. When we opened our doors on October 10, 2010 (10-10-10)—a uniquely memorable date during one of the most challenging times for small businesses—we weren't sure what to expect. BTM Layout was already home to numerous cafés and restaurants, but our belief in providing exceptional coffee experience led to take on the competition.

Our founder, Vatsa, brings a unique blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit to BREWZ. With a background in Architectural Design and a Master's in Business Administration specializing in Corporate Finance, Business Strategy, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management, Vatsa approached the coffee shop with both artistic vision and business acumen. His previous role at Dell involved leading customer experience initiatives—expertise that would later prove essential in the hospitality sector.

"I remember our opening day so clearly. We had a small team of just three people, including myself. We served 54 customers and ran out of on milk by noon. What struck me most wasn't the sales but the conversations—people were genuinely curious about our coffee, our story, and our vision. That's when I knew we were onto something special."

– Vatsa, Founder

Growing Through Challenges

The early days weren't without challenges. Opening during a period of economic uncertainty meant navigating constantly changing regulations, supply chain disruptions, and the fundamental challenge of building community in a city known for its transient tech workforce. We quickly adapted by developing our delivery service, creating home brewing kits, and hosting coffee tasting sessions that celebrated both international techniques and South Indian coffee traditions.

By our first anniversary in October 2011, we had not only survived but begun to thrive. Our customer base had grown beyond BTM Layout to include coffee enthusiasts from across Bengaluru, drawn by word-of-mouth recommendations and our growing reputation for exceptional quality and service.

Key Milestones Along the Way

• October 10, 2010: Opened our doors with a team of 3 and a menu of 12 items
• June 2012: Remodeled our cafe in the Ground Floor
• March 2020: Ranked among the "Top 10 Cafes in Bengaluru", awarded the "Best Cafe in BTM Layout" from The Caravan Magazine, Delhi Press
• August 2014: Began our direct trade partnership with coffee farmers in Chikmagalur
• November 2016: Navigated the challenges of demonetization by implementing digital payment solutions and supporting our community
• November 2018: Our first coffee table book was out, "Bengaluru's Kaapi Stories"
• April 2020: Pivoted during COVID-19 lockdowns to home delivery
• September 2020: Launched "Coffee for Heroes" initiative, providing free coffee to healthcare workers
• May 2021: Moved our flagship BTM Layout store to a larger space in the same neighborhood, tripling our seating capacity

The BREWZ Community: More Than Just Customers

What truly sets BREWZ apart isn't just our carefully sourced beans or precisely calibrated espresso machines—it's the community that has formed around our shared love of coffee. Over these fifteen years, we've witnessed countless connections form within our walls:

• Study groups that evolved into startups, including three successful Bengaluru-based tech companies
• First dates that led to marriages (we've hosted several wedding proposals!)
• Writers who completed novels at our corner tables, including a bestselling Kannada author
• Photographers who held their first exhibitions in our space

Our regular customers have become friends, and many of our team members started as customers who loved BREWZ so much they wanted to be part of creating the experience for others.

Stories from Our Community

Aditya, a software engineer and daily visitor since our first month, shares: "BREWZ is where I've written code for two successful apps. Something about the atmosphere, the perfect level of ambient noise, and of course, the consistent coffee quality makes it my most productive space. The staff know my order and often ask about my latest project. It feels like working among friends."

Meera, a literature professor at a nearby college, tells us: "I've brought every new batch of students here for our first informal class. We discuss books over coffee, and it sets the tone for the semester."

These stories and countless others remind us that a coffee shop can be so much more than a transaction point—it can be a catalyst for connection, creativity, and community.

Our Coffee Journey: From Beans to Cup

Our approach to coffee has evolved significantly over these fifteen years. What began as a carefully selected menu of classic espresso-based drinks has expanded to include:

• A rotating selection of single-origin beans from across India: Chikmagalur, Coorg and the world
• Our roastery partners follow small batch roasting, allowing us to control quality from green bean to cup
• Direct trade relationships with farmers, ensuring ethical sourcing and exceptional quality

Weathering Challenges Together

The past fifteen years haven't been without significant challenges. The 2016 demonetization created immediate difficulties for our cash-based operations, but we quickly adapted by implementing digital payment solutions and even created a temporary "coffee credit" system for our regular customers who were struggling with cash access.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented even greater challenges. When lockdowns forced us to close our doors in March 2020, we pivoted to home delivery and eventually a carefully managed takeaway service. Our community rallied around us, with many customers coming back to us even during when the allowed operating window was less than two hours a day.

Our 2021 move to a larger space in BTM Layout was both a response to these challenges and a statement of our commitment to the neighborhood. The expanded location allowed for better social distancing and eventually became a symbol of resilience and recovery for our community.

Our Team: The Heart of BREWZ

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of these fifteen years has been watching our team grow and develop. Many have been with us for years, developing from coffee enthusiasts to skilled professionals.

We've prioritized creating a workplace where growth is encouraged, creativity is valued, and everyone feels ownership in BREWZ's success. This approach has resulted in an exceptionally low turnover rate and a team that genuinely cares about each other and our customers.

Looking Forward: The Next Fifteen Years

As we celebrate this milestone, we're also looking ahead to the future of BREWZ. While we're proud of what we've built, we're excited about what's to come. Our plans include:

• Community Programs: Launching a coffee education scholarship for aspiring baristas from underprivileged backgrounds
• New Locations: Thoughtful expansion with 2-4 new cafés in Bengaluru over the next five years
• Innovation Lab: Creating a dedicated space for coffee experimentation and development
• Born To Make: Progressively create a nurturing space for all creators, dreamers and the makers

While we grow, we remain committed to our core values: exceptional quality, genuine hospitality, community connection, and ethical practices. The soul of BREWZ will always be our original BTM Layout café, where this journey began on that special 10-10-10 date.

Join Our Anniversary Celebration

To mark this special occasion, we're hosting a month-long celebration from October 10, 2025. We invite all our customers—from day-one regulars to first-time visitors—to join us for:

• Anniversary Blend Release: A special coffee blend created to commemorate fifteen years, with proceeds supporting education for coffee farmers' children in Chikmagalur
• Community Art Exhibition: Creating a New Format for all Creators - Born to Make
• Daily Coffee Tastings: Exploring the evolution of our coffee offerings over fifteen years
• Memory Wall: Share your BREWZ memories and photos on our interactive installation

Thank You, BTM Layout

As we reflect on these fifteen years, our overwhelming feeling is gratitude. Thank you to every customer who has walked through our doors, every team member who has contributed their talents, every supplier who has partnered with us, and the entire BTM Layout community for embracing BREWZ.

Coffee shops are often described as "third places"—spaces that aren't home or work but provide a sense of belonging and community. We're honored that BREWZ has become that third place for so many people, and we look forward to continuing this journey together for many years to come.

"The true measure of a coffee shop isn't just in the quality of its coffee—though that matters tremendously—but in the quality of the connections it fosters. After fifteen years, I'm most proud that BREWZ has become a place where people feel at home, where ideas are exchanged, and where our community grows stronger. Here's to fifteen more years of coffee and connection."

– Vatsa, Founder