NL Koffiestation Books Coffee in Groningen blends a coffee bar with English-language books. This article explores the concept, the micro-roastery, origin details, local collaborations, and workshops.
About Koffiestation Books & Coffee
History and Concept
Koffiestation Books & Coffee is located at Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat 21 in Groningen. The shop is situated at the corner of Broerplein and Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat, in the city center. The location is also referred to as part of the Akwartier.
The branch is registered as having opened on November 5, 2021. The business is described as a combination of a coffee bar and a bookstore. Available information presents the company as a collaboration between Koffiestation and Boekhandel Riemer.
Emiel Driesten and Harmen Riemer were involved at the start. Driesten is described in public information as a coffee roaster. Riemer is described as a bookseller. Their collaboration brought together two existing professional fields: coffee roasting and book sales.
The background of Koffiestation extends further back than this branch. Koffiestation states that Emiel and Douwe founded Koffiestation Microbranderij Groningen in 2012. Other public sources refer to them as Emiel Driesten and Douwe Stelpstra.
The role of books within the concept
The concept of Books & Coffee revolves around coffee in an environment featuring English-language books. The official description places the coffee bar in the center of Groningen, surrounded by bookshelves and seating areas. It also mentions baked goods from Vandeeg Vandaag.
The setup differs from a model where coffee is a secondary function within a bookstore. In the available description, coffee is the primary activity. Books are present as a second layer within the space. This creates a hybrid of hospitality and book retail, without the two functions fully merging.
The location is also described as a meeting place, attracting both international students and local residents. This role fits well with its position in the city center, close to educational institutions, shops, and pedestrian traffic.
Coffee and Brewing
The coffee comes from Koffiestation itself. The company states that it roasts coffee in a micro-roastery in Groningen. The Books & Coffee location serves Koffiestation Specialty Coffee. A complete drink menu is not recorded in the consulted public information.
However, some examples of coffee and preparation methods are mentioned. Public Instagram clips link Brazilian beans to espresso. Colombian filter coffee and iced filter are also mentioned in connection with Koffiestation Books & Coffee. These examples do not constitute a complete overview of all preparation methods.
In addition to coffee, tea and hot chocolate are also mentioned. Furthermore, the available information lists cinnamon rolls, cakes, and confectionery. Some public user observations mention oat milk, vegan banana bread, vegan carrot cake, chai oat latte, cappuccino with oat milk, and iced coffee with oat milk. Such observations are not an official menu.
Micro-roastery and origin
Koffiestation states that green coffee beans are purchased through small importers. Origin countries mentioned include Ethiopia, Brazil, and Indonesia. According to the company, roasting takes place in Groningen.
Koffiestation itself provides clarification on certification. The company states that it is not Fairtrade certified. It notes that suppliers of Specialty Coffee receive prices above Fairtrade levels. This is the company's own public statement.
Koffiestation also provides nuance regarding organic farming. The coffee is not officially organic due to the lack of Skal certification. At the same time, the company states that some coffees in the assortment are grown organically. Without certification, these cannot be sold as officially organic.
The webshop lists coffees with designations such as direct trade. Examples include Brazil – Fazenda Matão – Mococa and Colombia – El Caney. Brazil – Serra Dos Ciganos is also mentioned with sail transport. For orders within the municipality of Groningen, Koffiestation mentions delivery by bike courier from the roastery.
Local collaboration and interior design
The business is linked to local collaboration in public sources. This involves not only coffee and books, but also interior design and suppliers. A ceiling painting by Jaime Jacob of Studio Knetterijs is mentioned. Lamps by Melle Koot are also documented.
It is further described that the business works with local suppliers. According to a statement by Riemer, almost all suppliers deliver by bike. One supplier is an exception to this. This information places the business within a broader network of Groningen entrepreneurs.
Workshops and Public Attention
Koffiestation regularly hosts public workshops, according to its own information. Private workshops are also available. Topics covered include home barista skills, tasting and smelling, espresso machines, milk frothing, favorite coffee, and extraction.
The location has received attention in various public publications. These have covered, among other things, the collaboration with Boekhandel Riemer, the address, and the concept. Koffiestation was also featured in 2024 in the context of crowdfunding, where more than €200,000 was raised by 131 supporters for projects, including Dudok and the Zuurstoffabriek.
No specific price for the coffee bar at Koffiestation Books & Coffee is documented in the available public information. The establishment is primarily described through location profiles, entrepreneur stories, coffee shop guides, and information provided by Koffiestation itself.