21st August 2026 – (Hong Kong) The former Chun On Pawn Shop in Wan Chai has found a vibrant new role as a community hub thanks to Coffee Boats, a café pop-up with a purpose. Visitors can now enjoy their coffee served through the building’s original pawn shop grills, exploring an evocative setting that blends heritage with contemporary lifestyle. More than simply a place to pause for a drink, the café celebrates stories that connect origins and people, from coffee-farming families at the source, to local mothers roasting beans, through to the youth who serve each cup.
During the first week, until 22nd August, guests are invited to sample free limited edition coffee, while Coffee Boats’ own beans, drip bags, and elegantly packaged gifts are available to purchase on site. The initiative is testament to how daily rituals like coffee drinking can empower lives. Roasting is done by resilient local mothers, transforming a skill into fresh opportunities, while young people, trained by Caritas, gain real-world experience as baristas. A notable element of Coffee Boats’ approach is its inclusive employment model, with drip bags meticulously packed by people working towards mental health recovery in sheltered environments. Direct trade remains at the heart of the brand, with the team visiting farms to select their coffee to ensure responsible sourcing and promote sustainability.
Coffee Boats channels business as a force for good, giving back by donating twenty per cent of its entire sales revenue, without deducting costs, directly to Caritas Hong Kong. The café’s founders, many of whom are alumni of Wah Yan College Kowloon, were inspired by the idea that every cup should carry a true story and positive social impact. Ringo, one of the founders, recalled how teaching coffee roasting to grassroots women eventually sparked the idea of building a sustainable social enterprise. By adopting the B Corp business model, Coffee Boats ensures that commercial viability goes hand in hand with its community mission, resulting in meaningful work and direct support for the wider Hong Kong society.
The pop-up, open until 19th December at 91 Wan Chai Road, continues to welcome all who want to join in its story—where a simple cup of coffee is an invitation to connect, support, and make a real difference.
