Interview with Jeffrey Ji, Founder of Library Coffee
What is your coffee origin story?
My coffee journey began in 2011 while I was a university student in Melbourne, Australia. Initially, I drank instant coffee, but I quickly became captivated by the art of brewing and latte making. I took a short course on espresso and milk-steaming, and began working part-time in a Melbourne coffee shop, transitioning to full-time after graduation. This role allowed me to dive into roasting and work alongside champion-level baristas, where I gained deep knowledge of coffee origins and varieties. In 2014, I moved back to Shanghai, China, where I continued in the coffee industry, working on projects and providing training. By late 2016, I relocated to Toronto and worked at Neo Coffee Bar for roughly a year. Then, in 2018, I opened Library Coffee.
What inspired you to start Library Coffee, and how did you come up with the name?
I had a dream of opening my own coffee shop, like many baristas. When I moved to Toronto, I noticed that the existing coffee culture felt somewhat behind compared to what I experienced in Australia. This presented an opportunity to introduce something new, where brewed coffee was a primary focus. The name “Library” was chosen because I wanted the shop to function as a coffee resource centre, a welcoming space where people could share and learn about coffee.
You recently updated your packaging. What prompted that change?
We rebranded from “The Library Specialty Coffee” to simply “Library Coffee” because we found the original name long and difficult to remember. We also decided to drop “specialty coffee” from the title, as we feel our commitment to quality is already clear to customers. To further align with our values, we’ve updated our packaging to a fully recyclable monogram material, reflecting our commitment to social responsibility and eco-friendly practices.
Is there anything exciting coming up in the pipeline for Library Coffee?
We’re actually opening a new location soon, between the Financial and Entertainment districts. We’re hoping to have the new location open by July!
Having been in the coffee industry for over a decade, in what ways have you seen it evolve, and is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to in the future?
The coffee scene is growing much faster than I expected. When I first came to Canada, I noticed many people didn’t prioritize coffee quality, and unfortunately, there was a lack of respect for the role of a barista. Today, that perspective has changed. There are now highly skilled professionals working as baristas. Customers often tell us, “We realized how difficult this job is once we started brewing at home.” It requires knowledge. It has become even more challenging to open a coffee shop, not just for financial reasons, but because, as an owner, you need the technical skills and expertise.
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