Meet Jay and Meera

For Jay, coffee is more than a pick-me-up. It is part of the day’s rhythm and a shared moment with his four-legged sidekick, Meera. Since 2021, they have been regulars at Merlo Eagle Farm, where the staff know them by name and always have Meera's pup cup ready.

“I love the people, honestly,” Jay says. “They always seem to be able to have a laugh about something, and they love Meera. Everyone knows me as Meera’s Dad rather than Jay but that is alright.”

The welcoming atmosphere at Merlo keeps him coming back. “The vibe here is just so good. You have a coffee shop that makes you feel welcome and if your pets feel welcome too, you are even more likely to return. I have never had a bad experience at any Merlo anywhere.”

Meera has become a little celebrity herself. “She walks herself down and the staff have her pup cup ready before I even get there. She loves the atmosphere and the staff. She is my little sidekick.”

Coffee, Rituals, and a Taste Adventure

Jay is deliberate about his coffee and enjoys exploring new flavours. “The Bean of the Month is my go-to. I try whatever is on offer each month and it is fun to explore all the new flavours. You never know what you will get and I like that surprise. It is a great way to keep things interesting.”

He usually sticks to one triple-shot coffee a day, long enough to get through the morning. “If I do not have my coffee, I am a different person. I get grouchy. Coffee and the gym are non-negotiables for me.”

He adapts his drinks to the season. “In summer, it is iced lattes with oat milk because you need something refreshing. In winter, it is an oat cappuccino. Meera always gets her pup cup, chilled in summer and warm in winter, sometimes with an ice cube. She loves it.”

Even without a coffee machine at home, Jay makes sure his Merlo ritual continues. “I do not make coffee at home at the moment, so I get it from a coffee shop. I will go back to home brewing once I have a machine again.”

Sunrises, Memories, and Little Moments

Some of Jay’s best coffee memories happen at the beach before the world wakes up. “On weekends, Meera and I go down to the Gold Coast at 4 a.m., watch the sunrise, and have a coffee. She loves it. She is my little sidekick. That is probably my best memory involving coffee.”

It is these small rituals that make him a true coffee fanatic. He values community, consistency, and connection as much as the perfect cup. From staff who remember every order to pup-friendly touches, Merlo makes it easy to enjoy coffee and create moments that matter.

And that is the mark of a true coffee fanatic. For Jay, it is not just the coffee itself, but the mornings with Meera, the surprise of a new Bean of the Month, and the little rituals that make each cup special.

Our Coffee Fanatics series shines a light on the people who make Merlo what it is. Follow our socials and blog as we continue celebrating the routines, rituals, and regulars behind every cup. ☕💙