Coffee barista at Science Park: "On my birthday, I got three cakes from customers"
Those who study or work at Science Park get coffee from barista Tony Manapol between classes. He studied biology and nursing in Italy but finds the gastronomic and culinary world much more fun. "With a full stamp card, you get free coffee or a song from me."
For many students and employees, getting coffee is one of the first things they do in a day. Italian coffee barista Tony Manapol is already waiting in the lobby of Building C of Science Park. Every day at 8:30 a.m., he opens the Coffee Brigade bar. When he arrives, he sees only security and a few people at the reception desk. Just before the start of lectures it fills up and a line starts to form in front of the bar. Tony says: "In the Netherlands, cafés open late, I think. From Italy, I'm used to being ready as early as between five and six in the morning." His background makes him a perfect fit for the Science Park. In Italy, he studied biology and nursing. After working in a hospital for a while, he decided it wasn't for him. "I enjoyed working in the culinary world much more. I've been working as a barista and chef for about seven years now."
Vision
Anyone who observes the contact between Tony and his customers for a moment would think he has been working here for years: he knows people by name, jokes and hands out compliments. Yet he only started at Science Park after the bar was renovated in January 2022. "I was good friends with the owner of the Coffee Brigade. Just before the pandemic broke out, he opened the bar at Science Park. He had the vision of serving good coffee for students and staff. Business was good, which meant he needed someone to be at Science Park. He called me to ask if I wanted to work here. I was living in Italy but said 'yes' right away."
When Tony came to work in the bar at Science Park, corona regulations were still in effect, but that is no longer the case. "The difference is nice to see. When I started, no one was in our bar and everyone was wearing face masks. He looks around. "Now it's full!"
Connection
His regular customers do tend to be a bit older, he says. "Probably because they have more money," he says, laughing. "But there are also students who come by more often. I really try to connect with them. I appreciate it especially when students keep coming back, because for them the coffee is a bit on the pricey side."
Connecting with people and making customers happy is what Tony enjoys most about his job. It's not just about making coffee, he says. "Anyone can make coffee, really. It's about the interaction. You have to give people their coffee in a way that makes them want to come back to you." People on the fourth floor can get their coffee there, too, but come to him anyway. "They come for the coffee experience, the short walk, taking the elevator and then having a chat with me."
Positivity while working is Tony's top priority, even when he's feeling down himself. "People come here for a smile and a nice chat. That makes for a nice atmosphere and a place where everyone enjoys coming. Students who come to sit down after exams, friends who bump into each other spontaneously, that's really nice to see." Customers also clearly show that they appreciate his positivity. "On my birthday, I just got three cakes. In the summer, I even got cards sent to me."
During the summer, unfortunately, the Science Park was very quiet. Tony explains that the contrast was especially stark. "Just before summer vacation, a lot of students came by, especially to get iced coffees. On July 1, the Flux festival took place (a recurring festival at Science Park on the last day of the academic year, ed.) and that was a lot of fun. But the following Monday, Science Park was deserted. So we also decided to close the bar briefly."
Music or singing by Tony himself can be heard in the bar. "People always like the music. It's nice and diverse, they say, and it provides a great atmosphere." During the day, he always adjusts the music. "During lectures I keep it softer, of course, but during breaks and lunchtime I turn it up." When there are symposia in the hall of Building C, Tony often participates in the mic check. "Then people ask me to sing along with the music for a moment to check whether the microphone is working properly. As a result, there is now a running joke with many customers. A full punch card gets you a free coffee or a song from me. Quite a lot of people choose the song."
