Serving coffee and hope: one cafe’s post-COVID revival
Hope isn’t always loud – sometimes, it smells like fresh coffee and sounds like friendly chatter.
In 2021, during the midst of Aotearoa’s COVID-19 Pandemic, brave businessman Liam Aberhart made the bold move to purchase Loxy&CO eatery, a cafe in the small town of Morrinsville. Liam’s vision for the cafe was to “give it a refresh, a clean new brand, and just go from there.”
Image of storefront, photo: Lexi Mark
Luckily, they initially managed to avoid the first wave of COVID-19 but were hit with the second wave of lockdowns late in 2021.
With the lockdowns in place, Liam’s plans for renovations and rebranding were put on hold. Instead, the loan money he had went into keeping staff employed. Unfortunately, during this time the business took a hit – customer numbers dropped, and being shut off from Hamilton and Auckland not only affected on-foot traffic but also had an impact on the supply chain.
The past four years have been anything but easy; it’s only in the last 18 months that Loxies has regained a sense of normalcy. But Liam’s determination and vision are what kept him moving forward.
As part of the refresh, Liam updated the interior design of the store to represent the new directions and ownership.
“The previous vibe was very New York diner—dark. We went for more of a masculine botanical look, real plants, earthy, and calming.”
By bringing in real plants instead of having fake vines and other artificial greenery, the cafe creates a more authentic, earthy atmosphere, making the space feel fresh and more inviting.
Whether you’re after a coffee, a meal, or a place to study, Loxies offers more than good food, and Liam appreciates the role the cafe has in the community.
Image of Loxies counter, photo: Lexi Mark
Loxies cafe has collaborated with many different industries locally and tries to support the community; an important collaboration they have is with two of the country schools just out of Morrinsville, Motumaoho and Kiwitahi School.
“It’s a community hub. It’s an oasis. A place to get away from the usual grind.”
-Liam aberhart
“Loxies serve 112 kids five days a week with a range of different dietary requirements: GF, DF, Vegetarian, etc.” The money made from this is used to cover costs for wages, and any leftover money they try to give back to the community.
Liam envisions a bright future for Loxies with plans to expand beyond Morrinsville. Although he passed on an opportunity to buy a cafe down south last year, he now sees the missed potential, as that cafe is thriving. “I would love to see Loxies grow into more locations,” he says.
For Liam, the goal is to build a network of cafes that share the same passion and commitment to community, but he knows there is still work to be done to make that vision a reality. “We’ve got to get there first,” he adds, “but I truly believe it’s possible.”
“The idea is to create a brand that is consistent in quality and atmosphere, where you visit one Loxies, become a regular, and then when you travel to another town, you walk into another Loxies, and it feels just as great.”
What started as a bold move during uncertain times has become a steady force in Morrinsville.
Loxies is thriving, not only in the coffee it serves but in the hope it brings to those who walk through its doors.
Whether you’re chasing the perfect flat-white or just need a quiet spot to unwind, Loxies has you covered…. and who knows, maybe one day you’ll spot one in every town!
Image of Loxies store layout, Photo: Lexi Mark
