Overview
Di and Will Keser are the proud owners of four very excellent things: two beagles, Moesley and Snoopy and two Melbourne cafes, Hardware Societe and Bowery to Williamsburg. And they’re soon to be adding another excellent thing to their rapidly growing set: a 50-seat restaurant at the steps of the Sacre Coeur cathedral in the beating heart of Paris.
The Kesers have only recently arrived in Paris and are setting up shop in the suburb of Montmartre, the artists’ quarter, an appropriate choice for the prolific cafe mogul pair. Hardware Societe Paris is set to open in January 2016, so adjust your flights accordingly.
We had a chat with Di about the practicalities of moving two beagles and a business to a bureaucratic country and the challenges that come with living between well-loved two places.
While a lot of Aussie cafes head over to the US to make their international debut, you guys have chosen Paris. What inspired the choice?
Actually, it was simply a personal decision. We own an apartment in the second arrondissement and really wanted an excuse to spend more time here, which is difficult when we have our roots truly planted in Melbourne with family, businesses and dogs (they come over early next year). But we adore Paris. The city has such life, no matter what time of the year it is. We just wanted to be part of that more permanently, rather than hoping off a plane every few months and living like tourists in our home here. I think we possibly picked the most difficult and bureaucratic country to open in. Nothing is easy, but I guess that is all part of the challenge right? Once we’ve pulled this off, I am pretty sure opening a cafe on the moon would be easier.
Are you and Will living over in Paris to look after the cafe?
Yes, we are here now. There is a lot to organise, particularly for a girl that speaks little French — partially because I am so embarrassed when I open my mouth, partially because I talk to Will all the time in English and partially because most people speak English. Our intention is to spend the next 12 months over here after opening, and then reassess things after that. Whether that is three months here, three months in Melbourne, time will tell. But it is difficult with our beagles, as Moesley and Snoopy are the main priority when it comes to returning home more permanently. I mean imagine if they prefer it here, then I guess we stay.
Coffee, come to me #hardwaresocieteparis #parislife #obladi
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How do you think the Aussie flat white will land with espresso lovin’ Parisians?
I think Parisians are very open to new things but why can’t they have a short black, if that’s what they want? It will just be a Melbourne bean on offer [Padre Coffee]. We’ll be appealing to a few different markets: Parisians seeking out brunch, the Australian tourist yearning for something beyond a humble but delicious croissant for breakfast, and of course, the expat community (I am one now, after all), and a surprisingly global Hardware Societe following. Would you believe I have had people say they will take the Eurostar over to Paris for brunch? That absolutely astounded me.
Are you taking any other Aussie standards over with you or sticking with the French fusion fare?
We are so excited to be bring Padre Coffee along for the ride, they are a huge part of who we are and it wouldn't have been the same if we couldn't offer Padre here. But apart from Padre coffee, no. Everyone knows Hardware Societe and knows what we do. What is interesting is that we are bringing our interpretation of a French brunch to Paris — think eggs en cocotte (our baked eggs), breakfast cassoulet (traditional bean stew with lyonnaise sausage, confit duck and pork belly), riz au lait (rice pudding), our infamous fried brioche (French toast) and of course our lobster benedict. Hardware Societe Paris will be no different to Melbourne, save for the staff.
What's to become of Melbourne’s Hardware Societe and Bowery to Williamsburg while you’re away?
Truthfully, apart from the friendships we have formed through running Hardware, most customers don’t know who we are and the Hardware team have been with us a very long time. The smiling and dedicated team crew are Hardware Societe, so nothing will change. As for Bowery, we have two awesome business partners, Shaun Williams and Gary Xue, (who is also our head chef at Hardware). They have been very generous, allowing us to take time out, and do this.
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Hardware Societe Paris will open in 2016, opposite Sacre Coeur, Montmartre. Image: Dollar Photo Club.