our local cafe /flower shop combo

the coffee shop prompt week 96

a couple of years ago one of the most central and historic establishments in town was put up for sale. it housed a popular cafe and a summer novelty shop on the ground floor and very large flat upstairs. the entire building was badly in need of restoration/renovation. it was purchased by a partnership of a local restaurant, the flower shop and a retired young financier who runs a shoe store more as a hobby than a profitable business.

the flower shop was looking for better premises to move into while the owners of both the cafe and the novelty shop were looking to retire. after a year's interior work on the upstairs flat new tenants moved in. the flower shop took over the entire ground floor, keeping the cafe by combining the two concepts. both have kept their original names and each has their own entrance but they are connected inside as well as outside

the name of the cafe is Jensens Conditori. under the plaque are some vintage oriental tea tins.

here's the coffee menu. the new management obtained a liquor license offering a range of liqueurs as well as what we in Norway call kaffe avec. the menu offers three sizes, small, large and a sample taste smak for 9 NOK, . bear in mind that every grown Norwegian knows what caffe avec entails but in small town Norway is slow to embrace more modern international items such as cortado etc

the coffee machines

Jensens has long been known for quality bakery items as well as sandwiches and the new management is adding a few new items and concepts

It was still November but Christmas season starts early in the shops. in the package Smaken av Jul er traditional Christmas cookies Sandkaker rich with butter sand ground almonds. God Jul is Norwegian for Merry Christmas

i chose a marsipan bløtkake a traditional Norwegian layer cake covered with marzipan and with that i prefer strong black coffee, no sugar. plain and simple but both traditional and delicious. had i ordered a sandwich or nothing to eat i might have gone for a cappuccino but i had eaten lunch and was meeting with a friend, a no-frills situation.

one wall is full of old photos of the town and house as well as framed pieces of original wallpaper discovered during the renovation upstairs and a mirror featuring me relishing my coffee.

no two plates of the vintage china have the same design

the passage to the flower shop

turning around looking back into the cafe section

the flower shop is inn transition to winter

and Christmas items are placed on the stairs of the entrance

outside the shop are some hardy plants and pots now but in the summer the area is full of tables and chairs for the cafe, open to the public without strictly requiring purchasing anything. there is a platform under a roof serving ice cream, coffee and liqueurs as well as some of the cafe's bakery selection in a summer garden atmosphere with flowers for sale all around

the exit to the street has more selection for the Christmas season. the combination of the two business works very well giving the place a unique character. it's a very enjoyable experience, popular among the locals year round and packed with tourists in the short but hectic summer