Upperkirkgate in Aberdeen will soon be home to an exciting new coffee shop as Mount prepares to open its doors.
Directors Lauren Livingstone and Jack Sim received the keys to the premises, a former Zen Spa, on Thursday, September 15.
It has taken just five weeks to renovate and refurbish the space with the business’ soft opening taking place today, Saturday 29, and the official opening anticipated for the following week.
It boasts 25 covers including a window bar and a soft furniture snug area.
Lauren and Jack, who have been friends for more than 10 years, have always dreamed of running their own business.
However, the pair wanted “to make sure it was something that is authentic and true” to who they are and what they enjoy.
Mount Aberdeen
Lauren and Jack have spent many years residing across the globe, and it was during these travels that they fell in love with coffee and the cafe culture.
In Lauren’s case, it was whilst studying social care in Bali. For Jack, this occurred in Texas where he studied design and architecture and played football.
“On our return, Jack moved back to Aberdeen and worked as an engineer, and I moved to London and landed a marketing job,” Lauren said.
“We both reunited back in Aberdeen, spent most of our weekends up Munros and touring coffee shops around Scotland.”
From this – and whilst at the peak of Càrn Aosda in the Cairngorms – the entrepreneurs decided to create a brand and design a space that embodied the feeling you experience when you reach the top of a mountain and feel inspired when you come down.
Lauren added: “We agreed that when we reach the bottom we are going to embark on this journey together and give it our all. To achieve you’ve got to believe!
“Creating a space in our home city that represents what we want to see in the world is super important to us.”
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Mount will be open from 8am to 4pm Wednesday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sundays.
It will boast a team of three in the early stages with the potential to expand.
In terms of the interior, Lauren and Jack describe it as “a warm, welcoming space that offers a mountaintop experience”.
“Mount is the outdoor experience, indoors,” says Jack.
The directors are working with a talented array of locals to bring a menu together.
Lauren said: “Our lovely baker is called Florence, and we have the delicious pastries baked to perfection by Meline at Feingeback [an Aberdeen baking business].”
Maple pecan swirls, Biscoff cronuts, frangipane mince pies, and mint chocolate cruffins are among the bakes in Feingeback’s portfolio – and may be available at Mount in the future.
“Our savoury goods will include Wark Farm Pies, a selection of hot and cold sandwiches filled with locally sourced and quality produce, and freshly-made alternating salads to enjoy as a side or main,” she added.
“We are so excited to welcome people through our door from all walks of life.
“We love meeting people, learning from others, and want to grow a community of people who appreciate and love the outdoors.”
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