Kolichka Bar: Retro inspiration for the modern coffee culture in Sofia
Guided by passion, precision, and a deep love for coffee, Kolichka Bar transforms an ordinary coffee break into an elevated sensory experience. From a retro cart at events to a key player in Sofia's specialty coffee scene – this is a story of perseverance, attention to detail, and the pleasure of doing what you love.
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Before “Kolichka Bar” became synonymous with specialty coffee in Sofia, the story began much earlier - in the early 2000s. At that time, Milen Tonev and Rumen Gerasimov, the creators of the project, found themselves in the heart of the emerging coffee culture, working in the first establishments of the “coffeeshop” type in the capital - Onda Coffee Break. Even then, they had the feeling that coffee could be more than a drink - it could be an experience.
After several completed projects and a period of searching, Milen traveled across the country with a brand for designer clothes. This contact with the event culture ignited the spark of the idea - coffee on wheels, a combination of mobility, retro aesthetics, and high quality. This is not just a coffee cart - this is a concept born from passion and love for detail.
By 2020, “Kolichka” was entirely focused on participating in events and pop-up locations in public buildings. But the pandemic changed the game. When everything closed down, they found an opportunity - not in traditional strategies, but in street spaces. By utilizing the freed urban locations, Milen and Rumen took the bold step to create a physical coffeeshop. It was then that “Kolichka” began to take shape not just as a mobile bar, but as a sustainable brand with a clearly defined identity.
When you step on the doorstep of "Kolichka Bar", the space invites you to stay for a moment, to step back from the noise, and to focus on yourself and the taste. This is no coincidence. "Kolichka Bar" perceives specialty coffee not just as a label, but as a philosophy requiring consistency, knowledge, and a passion for perfection.
With coffees rated over 80 points by the Specialty Coffee Association, the team strives for exceptional balance – no bitterness, no excessive acidity. But the big secret is not just in the bean, but in the roasting. There, seconds and degrees make the difference between perfect sweetness and bitter failure. "Kolichka Bar" describes the process as a "combination of art and science", and the feeling of well-roasted coffee as a caress to the palate.
All this attention to detail is not an end in itself. It is the way "Kolichka Bar" communicates the value of specialty coffee to its customers. Without imposing, without teaching in a lecturing manner – simply through experience. And when the customer feels the difference, words become unnecessary.
The pandemic in 2020 was a critical moment for many businesses. For “Kolichka Bar” – it is also a turning point. Despite the losses, Milen and Rosen refuse to give up. Instead, they see an opportunity in the crisis. This entrepreneurial thinking – to see a “closed door” as an “open window” – is part of the DNA of “Kolichka Bar”.
Today, the concept is refined, the distribution partnerships are international, and investments in training and baking are paying off. But the team is in no hurry to grow. Each new location is carefully chosen. The goal? Not to lose the personal touch and quality control that make “Kolichka Bar” unique. And while the big chains offer a standardized experience, small places like “Kolichka Bar” create magic. Not through a template, but through attention to the customer.
And what gives meaning to the creators of this project? For Rumen, “Kolichka Bar” is not just a business. It is a child that has grown up with them, gone through hardships and is now smiling at its customers – with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and a promise of more inspiration.