#ComeBimbleWithMe and discover the story behind Blank Brixton
by Johannes Moehrle
Businesses such as Blank Brixton are what Bimble is all about: a great little neighborhood independent, embedded in everyday local life.
At first it might seem like it’s just one more brunch place amongst many others that have surfaced in the last few years, but it really isn’t. I had the pleasure to talk to Warner Newman who has run this café with his wife Samantha since 2017, and he underlined the importance of independent businesses such as his.
After having lived for over 12 years in the area, the couple still didn’t completely feel “at home” — they didn’t know their local community. So they decided to take things into their own hands and open a café that would serve as an anchor within the neighbourhood.
They found a place, spent 10 months renovating it and put every bit of their time and energy into it. And it has really paid off: they have enjoyed great success, right from the get-go. They have been celebrated as one of the top 10 best brunch places in London, but more importantly for them, they feel like they have had a real impact on the community and the entire neighbourhood. Talking to Warner, he insisted on the fact that he saw his business as a home for everyone, rather than as a place that stands out.
As an example of Blank’s positive impact on the local community, Warner mentions the recent difficulties that he and Samantha have had to face with the pandemic. He says that for them, it was important to never close their doors, despite the fact that it wasn’t always financially sensible. He believes that in continuing to serve his customers and even helping out those who were suffering the most, his business contributed to “keeping the area sane” by providing them with delicious food, and human interactions. For the most vulnerable who couldn’t leave their houses, they even offered their own delivery services in order to comfort as many people as possible. And they have been thanked with smiles, flowers and cards.
Whilst Blank’s purpose goes far beyond providing good food and coffee that they roast themselves, quality and taste are a central priority. They pride themselves on serving “harm-free food” which essentially means plant-based, however they don’t want to be labelled as a “vegan” café, since they insist on it being made for everyone. As Warner puts it: “We are just a place that serves great food and it happens to be vegan”. In fact, he says that at least 65% of his customers aren’t Vegan, which is a testament to the quality and broad appeal of Blank’s menu.
The menu is constantly changing and filled with flavours from around the world. Warner is from New Zealand, Samantha is Jamaican, and both of them have lived in the UK for many years, so it is pretty unsurprising that these three countries find their way into the dishes. Yet, beyond that, depending on the day you visit, you might be greeted with food from any other corner of the globe, depending on what Samantha feels inspired to prepare.
Serving food from around the world in Brixton is just the beginning for Samantha and Warner, who want to replicate their business abroad, so other neighbourhoods can have a place that they can call “home” together. Warner told me how excited he was that a second Blank was due to open in Los Angeles later this year and that soon after, he will also have a shop in his home country, New Zealand : )
