Jostling for house in a 10×9 room close to Sasthamangalam junction in Thiruvananthapuram are a primary AeroPress machine, grinder, freezer-cum-cooler, cylinder, stoves, utensils, packaging materials…This is from the place Athulya JR runs Wholebrew, a take-away spot for espresso and toast. The speaking level of the place has been its spherical hatch window to serve orders and a service bell hung outdoors. “The service window was an experiment and people liked it. The bell was kept to pique everyone’s curiosity,” Athulya says.
Athulya says that the concept has been brewing in her thoughts for a whereas; even when she was working after finishing her course in User Interface (UI) and User Experience Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Kannur. “Although I got a job soon after I passed out, I always wanted to start something on my own. I was also unhappy with the atmosphere at my workplace, especially navigating office politics. The situation was no different even after I moved to Dubai. So once I came back home, I decided to take a break and figure out what I wanted to do,” she says.
While on a one-year break at her house at Mangattukadavu in Thiruvananthapuram, Athulya had determined that she wouldn’t work underneath anybody.
Wholebrew at Sasthamangalam
| Photo Credit:
Sreejith R Kumar
Realising that espresso tradition was gaining floor in Thiruvananthapuram, she determined to money in on that. Coffee is her ‘cup of tea’ , particularly cold espresso. “I enjoyed the basic cold coffee and was never into the premium, high-end varieties from big brands.”
Athulya, 28, provides that though she needed to spend a while on the concept she couldn’t as a result of the house got here up for grabs abruptly. “I didn’t want to let it go. I invested whatever money I had and opened it,” she says.
She opted for the take-away idea as a result of that appeared the viable choice with the house accessible. “Also, there are many who love their coffee on the go. I wanted to put up a big espresso machine and other equipment. But, right now, this is enough and people have accepted us as well.”
Athulya JR at Wholebrew, Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram
| Photo Credit:
SREEJITH R KUMAR
Athulya manages the store alone, besides on sure days when one in all her mates chips in. The menu has 10 types of cold espresso, together with iced latte, Americano and cappuccino, fluffy Dalgona, caramel macchiato, Nutella espresso, vanilla frappe and so forth, priced from ₹80 onwards. Then there are hot coffees similar to latte, Americano, cappuccino and mocha apart from a wholesome smoothie. While there’s a mounted menu, specials are served sometimes.
The toast varieties similar to honey toast, Nutella with banana, and chocolate, espresso and Nutella choices with ice cream (₹60 onwards) have many followers. “I wanted to have pancakes and waffles on the menu. But since I manage everything alone, I found toast to be the best option,” she says. Latest addition on the record is egg and cheese sandwich.
Wholebrew is open 3.30pm to 11 pm, Monday to Friday, and from 11am to 11pm on Saturdays. Contact: 7994996956
Published – May 20, 2025 03:20 pm IST
