Portsdown’s five-month old Hoopla Coffee & Kitchen is, quite literally, a labour of love: the café was a new pledge of commitment for owners Natalie and Tom, who have been in a relationship for nine years. Read what these adorable lovebirds have to say about Hoopla’s humble beginnings, mixing work and love, and what’s in their planning books.
Tell us more about Hoopla.
Hoopla’s all about being different and daring to take chances. You can tell from our choice of location, which is still quite under the radar. We felt like we could work our magic to liven up the area. It’s in our spirit to constantly surprise our customers in every way possible, be it from the food to our quirky décor, as well as our free-to-browse collection of magazines and books to inspire the dreamer in all of us. (Note: Kinfolk, Inventory, Cereal, Desiderata, Flow, they’ve got it all folks!)
How did the name come about?
We wanted it to be celebratory and just all about having fun, so voila – Hoopla!
What’s on the menu?
It’s created with comfort in mind – we’ve got everything from pasta to lazy Sunday brunch suspects like warm comforting baked eggs and eggs Florentine. We’re also launching our own bakery No.21 soon and there will be cakes, sweet and savoury pastries all baked from scratch.
We love what you guys have done with the place!
The ultra-talented Sari Sartje, a musician and artist from Jakarta, is behind all of our beautifully decorated walls! We were playing around with ideas on how to personalize the space when we chanced upon Sari’s artwork – it was love at first sight. The murals she designed truly represent us.
What made the both of you start Hoopla?
Well, having been together for almost 9 years is no small feat and we felt it was time for a bigger commitment besides sharing an apartment and a car. We figured running a business together would bring our relationship to another level! It’s been good so far. We have had our trying moments, but we always have each other’s backs.
What do each of you bring to the table?
Nat: Tom is the go-to man for everything, from handy work to moral support. I mainly handle all the administration matters, marketing initiatives, and keeping track of the dollars and cents.
Tom: All of us have our own roles to play in this business, but we all try to work as one big family – a Hoopla family! I just try my best to help out in every way I possibly can.
What’s it like working with your partner?
Two words. Compromise and respect. These are the two values we strongly believe in. Instead of getting caught up in disagreements, we try to remind each other that this business is our baby; we need to nurture and guide it down the right path so that it’ll successfully flourish.
So who really wears the pants?
Tom: Ask Nat.
Nat: (laughs) I do wear more pants these days! I won’t say I wear the pants in the relationship. I’d say Tom lets me to make most decisions. Without his encouragement, I wouldn’t be wearing the pants.
Describe each other in three words?
Nat: Easy going, sociable, and creative.
Tom: Ambitious, outspoken, and focused.
Advice for budding F&B entrepreneurs?
It’s important to look past the mirage of glamour and identify the high level of commitment that’s required to make the business work.
We’re talking good days that end at 9pm and long, dreadful ones that can stretch till the wee hours of the morning. That means hardly having enough time for family, friends, and even yourself. It’s going to be sheer hard work and you will have to learn to adapt, not to mention picking up skills in everything from accounting, marketing, to cleaning along the way.
What are you guys currently busy with?
We’ve got our hands tied with Beatnique, happening this Saturday. It’s all about celebrating uniqueness. We’re holding a vintage bicycle race, bringing in independent magazine vendors, organizing leather craft activities, and loads more!
What’s in the pipeline?
Quite a few! Soon, we’ll be launching of our bakery, No.21. Thereafter, we’ll be working with The Local People for their upcoming Night Market at SAM Museum. This is the start of a very exciting second half of 2014, watch us!
What does Hoopla want to be remembered for?
Good place, good food, good times.
Hoopla Coffee and Kitchen, 21 Media Circle, #01-05 Infinite Studios, Singapore 138562. Open Mon 9am-6pm, Tue 9am-4pm, Wed-Sun 9am-6pm.