Amber Zhang

ARRIVING in Shenzhen two and a half years ago, Jose Andes from Columbia has opened six Columbian cafes in Futian and Nanshan districts.

“I opened the last cafe in June 2007 at Poly Theater and I am planning a new one in Dafen Village, Longgang District, this year,” said Andes, owner of Andes Cafe.

Andes said Shenzhen was a young city with many young people eager to try new things. That’s why he believes Columbian coffee will be a success here.

Aiming to provide unique, comfortable Latin cafes where people can chat, Andes decorate his cafes in Latin style with colorful walls, red sofas and original Columbian pictures. He imports the coffee beans from Columbia.

“Most of my Chinese customers are not used to drinking coffee at first, but they gradually become accustomed to the light and smooth Columbian coffee and enjoy a Columbian style environment after coming to my cafes a few times,” he said.

Shenzhen’s booming business is the main reason Andes sees a bright future for his cafes. “There will be more and more businessmen in Shenzhen and talking business in cafes will be common in future,” Andes said. To discuss business in a cafe with soft music will be better than going to noisy bars, he said.

Many Chinese helped him when Andes was developing his business in Shenzhen, he said. Before he came to Shenzhen, Andes imported food from Europe to Columbia.