Cafes steam ahead with assistance of Party branch

Under the leafy canopy of trees surrounding the popular Wukang Building, the aroma of specialty coffee mingles with the cosmopolitan flair of Shanghai's Tianping subdistrict.

Located in the bustling Xuhui district, Tianping is home to one of the highest densities of coffee shops in the city.

The subdistrict has emerged as an innovative cluster where scattered pearls of coffee shops have been transformed into a brilliant necklace.

Established in April last year, the Party branch launched an initiative to support the entrepreneurial dreams of returning overseas students and boost professional coffee ventures.

"My job is to chat with the coffee shop owners every day and keep their needs in mind," said Li Binbin, secretary of the Party branch.

Before, coffee shop owners had to independently navigate issues like power outages, water leaks, waste management, and equipment approvals by liaising with various administrative departments. Now, the Party branch serves as a one-stop service station, efficiently resolving issues for shop owners.

Trust in the Party branch has encouraged the opening of more coffee shops in the area. Existing shops are expanding and new ones are moving in. Some mixed businesses sell coffee during the day and operate as bars at night, after the Party branch assisted in obtaining the necessary permits.

"Since the inception of the Party branch, the number of coffee shops within the subdistrict has grown from 135 to 150, with around 100 being independent specialty cafes," said Li.

One cafe, co-owned by a medical professional and a barista, transformed its courtyard into a popular social media spot with the help of urban planning experts recommended by the Party branch.

When the cafe owners wanted to install a portable defibrillator, the Party branch coordinated with the local urban management authority and connected them to free CPR training resources.

"The CPR training took place at the cafe on a winter day, and all the participants, including local residents, security guards, and property managers, felt the space was overflowing with love," said Li.

Through the Party branch's efforts, previously isolated coffee shops have formed a collaborative force. During this year's Qixi Festival, or China's Valentine's Day, in August, more than 10 cafes jointly established a cafe tour route in the area and launched special product packages. The initiative was warmly received.

The Party branch also encourages coffee shop owners, especially Communist Party of China members, to take on social responsibilities. For example, many pet-friendly shops have participated in a stray cat neutering project.

Xu Tong, director of Party and mass work at Tianping subdistrict, said that the next focus is to assist the cafes' growth.

"Plans include building a platform for upstream and downstream resource connections, introducing high-quality coffee beans from Yunnan province to reduce costs, and organizing entrepreneur salons for experienced owners to share insights with newcomers," she said.

Shi Quan, a coffee shop owner, said the Party branch not only informs them about policies and connects them to resources, but also promotes local coffee shops via various channels, bringing in more customers.

"The Party branch acts as a bridge, strengthening our ties with the Party and the community," said Shi, 34.