Café Albin: The Unassuming Gem of Oberwart
Top-tier barista offers superior coffee brews in town's bustling coffee scene.
Meet Albin Pfeffer, the man behind the joyful grin and the heart of café Albin. Located in the quaint Oberwarter Schulgasse, this cozy café has become a beloved staple among regulars.
A native of Riedlingsdorfer, Albin stepped into the world of small business at the age of 34, replacing the coffee machines for his cousin's café in 2016. Two years later, he took the reins and became its rightful owner.
For Albin, a career as a café owner was not initially part of his plan. After compulsory school, he desired immediate employment. His parents had other ideas, and after three years at HAK, a change of schools was in order. By 18, neither the academia nor the military service resonated with Albin, so he joined the workforce in Vienna. However, long bus commutes and office life didn't bring him joy. When his cousin asked him to work in the café as a substitute, Albin saw an opportunity.
The Barista's Journey
The early days at Albin café were challenging for Albin, but he persevered. "My first cup of coffee was a disaster," Albin recalls, laughingly. Through practice, his coffee skills improved, and he successfully mimicked his cousin's flawless brew. "Practice makes perfect," he notes, fondly reminiscing about the art of frothing milk into intricate designs.
Before its transformation into Albin, the café was known as Café Stromberger, with the motto "best coffee in town" still applicable today.
Hours of Operation:
- Monday to Thursday: 7 am - 6 pm
- Friday: 7 am - 2 pm
- Saturday: 8:30 am - 12 pm
- During school holidays: Monday to Friday: 8 am - 1 pm, Saturday: 8:30 am - 12 pm
Joining the Local Gastronomy scene
Of all the challenges faced during his foray into the gastronomy industry, waking up early was the hardest for Albin, a self-proclaimed late sleeper. Efficiently managing his time, he gets to the café at 7 am sharp to greet the early-morning students.
When Albin's cousin decided to sell the café, Albin seized the opportunity, immersing himself in the business for the first time in his life. After meticulous calculations and guidance from the Burgenland Chamber of Commerce, he took over the café and faced his new role with both excitement and apprehension. His mother, Maria, serves as a valuable source of support, managing the café's decor and offering assistance when needed.
Albin aims to operate the café until retirement, focusing on satisfying his customers' taste buds. Fun fact: "I don't actually drink coffee myself," Albin reveals. Instead, he relies on the feedback of his guests as his primary quality standard.
In total, there are 2,630 gastronomy businesses in Burgenland, with 523 operating as cafés. The entire industry employs around 7,000 individuals and trains 140 apprentices, according to the Burgenland Chamber of Commerce.
Contact Information:7400 Oberwart, Hauptplatz 14 (entrance via Schulgasse) - albin-cafe.at
Still, the most significant took over the café at seven for the students. My alarm goes off at six, and I’ve trained myself to set it for the very last minute to avoid the temptation to hit the snooze button. It’s tight on time, but it works. Quick dash to the business, turn on the lights and coffee machine, and off we go."
Being Your Own Boss
Albin's café offers not only the "best coffee in town" but also delicious sweets and small snacks. The delightful customers that frequent the café contribute to its warm and welcoming vibe, making it easier for Albin to embrace this new professional chapter in his life. Being his own boss and not having employees eases the burden, creating a sense of independence and fulfillment.
Albin's mother, Maria, is a tremendous ally in the business, playing an essential role in the café's decor and occasionally helping out. "Without my mom, things wouldn't run as smoothly – I'm very grateful for her support," Albin admits with a chuckle.
Albin aspired to own and manage a café someday but never imagined it would be this one. "I didn't plan on becoming a café owner," Albin confesses, reminiscing about the unexpected turn of events. "But I'm happy I did. I have the freedom to make my own decisions and create a welcoming atmosphere for people who share my passion for coffee and conversation."
- Albin Pfeffer, the cheerful owner of café Albin, creatively transformed Café Stromberger into his envisioned café in Oberwarter Schulgasse.
- Prior to his café ownership, Albin attended HAK, a change of schools due to his parents' intentions, joined the workforce in Vienna, and later replaced his cousin's coffee machines in 2016.
- Early commutes and office life in Vienna didn't resonate with Albin, but when his cousin asked him to work in the café, he saw an opportunity for change.
- In addition to serving the "best coffee in town," Albin's café provides delightful sweets, snacks, and fosters a warm, welcoming ambiance, attracting regular customers.
- Albin's mother, Maria, acts as an invaluable source of support, managing the café's decor and offering assistance when needed.
- Albin advises future small-business owners to seek guidance from resources like the Burgenland Chamber of Commerce when embarking on such ventures.
- As Albin relies on his customers' feedback to maintain quality and improve aspects of his business, he continues to create a satisfying lifestyle experience within the realm of food-and-drink, home-and-garden, business, education-and-self-development, and career-development.
