Meet Aaron, a Merlo James Street Fanatic

Some people find a café. Others find their café. For Aaron, that’s Merlo Fortitude Valley on James Street.

A few weeks ago, we sat down with Aaron to chat about coffee, routine and what keeps him coming back. Here’s what the self confessed coffee fanatic had to say.

“I've been coming to my local Merlo for probably about a year now, on James Street.”

At first, it was convenience. Now, it’s something more.

“It’s a bit of everything. A big draw for me is the coffee! Also, the place is really decked out nicely, always cool people in here, always chatty, which I like. So, it's a very friendly, chill coffee shop, which I love.”

For Aaron, coffee isn’t just caffeine. It’s rhythm.

“I normally make a coffee at home with Merlo coffee beans, and then I'll normally try and get a Merlo coffee out and about, ideally on James Street. But I see the little ‘Proudly Serving Merlo’ sign everywhere. I love it. As soon as I see it, it's a beeline straight for me. I'm all over it.”

Over time, it’s become familiar.

“You walk in and it just feels easy. I feel like I’m becoming a bit of a regular, which is always nice.”

When it comes to flavour, Aaron knows exactly what he’s chasing.

“I like rich, bold flavours with any food or drink. So for me, coffee definitely ticks those boxes. And normally my go to is Private Blend here, which is just amazing, like the best coffee I've ever had. Pretty much.”

Originally from the UK, Aaron had heard the rumours before moving to Australia.

“Everyone was like, ‘the coffee in Aus is amazing.’ I thought that was such a random thing to be known for,” he laughs. “But when I came here I was like, yeah, ok, it's actually really, really good.”

Now, it’s something he keeps coming back to.

“It’s a bit of a comfort for me,” he says. “I always just find myself coming back tomorrow. You just walk in and you feel at home.”

And that might be the mark of a true coffee fanatic.

Not just loving the drink, but loving the role it plays in your day.

Our Coffee Fanatics series spotlights the people who make Merlo what it is.
Keep an eye on our socials and blog as we continue celebrating the routines, rituals, and regulars behind every cup, one beautiful coffee at a time. ☕💙