The team said it felt like the next “natural step” given the response to the first venue
Anestis Gaitanidis, owner of Sips & Stories on Smithdown Road
The man behind a speciality coffee shop is opening a new venue after the success of his first. Sips & Stories needs no introduction to those who are familiar with South Liverpool.
Located on Smithdown Road and created by Greek friends Anestis Gaitanidis and Dimitrios Samaras, the venue has built up a loyal following since launching last April. The shop sells coffee, loose leaf tea and a variety of sweet and savoury pastries, but it has gone viral several times on social media for its matcha art – take this Shrek-inspired special, for example.
Now, Anestis is preparing to launch The Hundred Bar, a Sips & Stories sister site, on Woolton Road. The 41-year-old, who lives near Festival Gardens, told the ECHO: “With Sips & Stories, we were working very closely with run clubs, yoga groups and lots of wellness events, and so it felt like the natural step to open something for these groups.
“So with The Hundred Bar, instead of collaborating externally, these types of groups can come to us. It is really about being more physically a part of the community.
Anestis Gaitanidis, owner of Sips & Stories on Smithdown Road
“The name comes after the Pilates exercise, and it focuses on creating a strong foundation, and that is what we want to be. People have moments every day in their lives, and we hope to be part of those moments.”
Sip & Stories is Anestis and Dimitrios’ second business venture, following their first tech company together. However, this time, Anestis is teaming up with his partner, Despoina Pantazi, a 34-year-old physiotherapist, to open the new Woolton Road venue.
He added: “We’ve got a very small community already, and it’s those people who gave us the push to do something more. We’re building on what we already have. To be able to achieve this, a year on from Sips & Stories, is an amazing achievement – I’m so proud.”
Anestis grew up surrounded by a rich culture where coffee was more than just a drink – he said it “was a ritual, a moment to pause, connect and share stories” and so opening Sips & Stories was a no brainer for him when the opportunity came up.
Sips & Stories, Smithdown Road
Inspired by the vibrant cafés of Greece, where coffee breaks are an opportunity for conversation and community building, Anestis said he developed a deep appreciation for it all from an early age.
Business partner Dimitrios is also “coffee obsessed” and feels he found his “true calling” in the food and drink industry. Deciding to turn their passion into a business, Anestis and Dimitrios created Sips & Stories, aiming to develop a space “where guests can gather, share stories, and build connections over a perfectly crafted sip”
The Hundred Bar is expected to open during the first May Bank Holiday weekend.