Residents and visitors to stunning Scottburgh on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast can now enjoy world-class coffee and a healthy meal in the stylish setting of the newly launched Wild Coffee Shop. Started by three local entrepreneurs, Wild Coffee Shop has opened its doors to patrons at its corner location on Scott Street (opposite the Blue Marlin Hotel) – just a short walk from the beach.
The idea to sell coffee locally was first sparked in Ethiopia in 2020 where Matt Machell-Cox, one of the partners, was working at the time. The intrepid adventurer, who founded WildED adventure education, said he got a call from his two good friends – and now business partners – Stephen Morris, a local businessman, and Gavin Roberts, a top South African surfer.
“They called me up and said that considering I’m in a country that produces some of the best coffee in the world, we might as well start a coffee company – so we did!” says Machell-Cox. “We started importing sustainably sourced coffee from Ethiopia to South Africa and morphed into a wholesaler, eventually supplying locally roasted coffee to coffee shops, restaurants and individuals around South Africa.”
The three coffee connoisseurs, all of whom grew up in Scottburgh, identified a niche in the local industry to establish a quality coffee shop that serves world-class coffee and great grab-and-go style food. As part of their ‘support local’ ethos, they got local artist Travis O’Sullivan to paint incredible murals along the ‘Wild Coffee’ theme.
Touching on their Ethiopian coffee origins, Wild Coffee Shop serves Ethiopian Wolf, a single-origin coffee. This is joined by The Savannah Blend – with Tanzanian and Ethiopian beans – and The Rainforest Blend. Alongside the traditional favourites – Americano, cappuccinos and lattes – Wild Coffee’s menu will serve red lattes made from rooibos tea, dirty chai lattes and refreshing pressed juices.
The Wild Coffee Shop serves early birds who are out for a dawnie surf, or an early-morning run or ride, as well as those who prefer a leisurely mid-morning or early afternoon coffee and bite to eat. The local connection extends to its partnership with Rachelle Walker of the famous Flava’s Bakery, who has put together a delectable menu of homemade meals using locally sourced ingredients.
The on-the-go breakfast options will include a mix of sweet and savoury muffins, apple crumble, overnight oat jars and muesli yoghurt, and berry compote jars to choose from the breakfast menu. The lunch menu consists of a range of tasty health wraps including pesto chicken, BLT with cheese, chickpea tuna salad, and the falafel and brinjal wrap.
“We envision this as being the go-to coffee shop in Scottburgh, and encourage everyone to stop by and see what all the fuss is about!” says Machell-Cox.