Design-Award-Winning Industry Beans Opens Stark White Second Shop in Melbourne

Industry Beans photo.

Within five years of opening a home garage roastery on a shoestring budget, Melbourne, Australia-based brothers Trevor and Steven Simmons found themselves traveling to London to accept a prestigious international design award for their café, roastery and coffee lab in Fitzroy, Industry Beans.

Last month, after several more years of cementing the award-winning flagship as an international coffee destination while continuing to build its wholesale base, Industry Beans opened a second standalone shop in Melbourne’s city center, Industry Beans Lt. Collins.

Photo courtesy of La Marzocco Australia.

Aesthetically, the white-clad shop presents a stark contrast a to the warehouse-shelled Fitzroy headquarters, while also departing from its predecessor in functional design, equipment selection and menu.

“The fit out moves away from what’s ‘on trend’ in hospitality design, focusing instead on custom built elements optimized for customer experience,” Industry Beans said in a recent announcement of the opening. “The end result is a minimal aesthetic with sustainable materials, generous space and carefully planned workflows.”

Industry Beans photo.

Surrounded by white through floor-to-ceiling panels, the white-surface bar at Industry Beans Lt. Collins leans heavily on Modbar equipment (also white) provided by La Marzocco Australia. The setup, in which the bulk of the machinery is under the counter, includes three espresso modules and one steam module dedicated to espresso-based drinks using the roaster’s Rose Street blend. A fourth espresso module and an additional steam module are dedicated to single-origin offerings.

Photo courtesy of La Marzocco Australia.

The company says there may be as many as four baristas working the Modbar system, while two additional people will fill the point of sale. “We see this bar design as part of the evolution of the specialty coffee service experience,” Trevor Simmons said. “It allows us to have the entire coffee preparation experience on display. From the moment the order is placed, to the moment the coffee is served, everything will be totally visible to the customer.”

Photo courtesy of La Marzocco Australia.

The shop is also offering single-origin batch brews for filter coffee, fresh juices, kombucha, teas and chocolate-and-coconut-infused chai, as well as two signature iced coffee drinks. The simple food menu includes two bagels, three bowls and a dessert.

Industry Beans photo.

Industry Beans Lt. Collins is now open at 345 Lt. Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.