At BEAR, we're all about good coffee, good people, and good times. It's been quite a journey since we first opened our doors back in 2016 as a small town coffeehouse in Uttoxeter. But we haven’t stopped there - with multiple stores across the Midlands and plans for even more, we're not done yet. Not even close. Our aim is to share our passion for great coffee and the experiences which come with it across the globe.
Our journey began with two childhood pals, Craig and Michael, who spent most of their teenage years trying to out-skill each other on their skateboards. After Craig spent some time in Australia and fell in love with the coffee culture there, he returned to the UK determined to bring some of that magic back home. Enlisting the help of his oldest friend, together they opened our first store on Uttoxeter High Street in February 2016. Since then, we've continued to grow, inspired by our love of adventure, connection, and lifestyle.
The Adventures
When we first opened our doors in Uttoxeter in 2016, we had an initial concept, idea, and a logo. However, we didn't fully know what our journey would look like. Over time, more people have joined our team and engaged with our brand - bringing with them new connections and fresh ideas. With this, we began to discover and explore new concepts that have taken us in exciting directions.
As we continued to grow, we found ourselves spending an increasing amount of time thinking about our spaces. What are they? How do people engage with them? What should they look like? As we delved deeper into these thoughts, we considered how these ultimately express our identity as a brand. It was dawning on us that our identity had evolved with our growth and we no longer had the same ownership of identity that we started with.
Our story so far has been a journey of exploration, and it continues to drive us forward every day. We draw inspiration from adventure, but also the timeless nostalgia which influenced the first steps of our journey. We deeply believe that everyone has the ability to be adventurous, however this may look. The space which exists between comfort and freedom is equally as important, as the journey we have undertaken so far has influenced who we are today.
Our brand refresh is both a reflection of our journey so far and our aspiration to continue this adventure. We're proud of our roots and excited about where we're headed.
The Connections
In the speciality coffee world, connection is everything. It's about building relationships, fostering a sense of community, and creating a space where people can come together and enjoy good coffee, good company, and good vibes. Coffeehouses have a long and rich history, playing significant roles in social and cultural life across the world - existing as spaces where people come together to connect, share ideas and build communities. We’re proud to be part of a long tradition, championing this legacy in our own way.
As we continue to expand and open more stores, we've had the opportunity to make new connections and grow our community. We've welcomed new team members who bring their own ideas, creativity, and passion to the table. We’ve met some truly special people, who joined our journey as customers who have since become fast friends. We’ve worked with some truly amazing suppliers and coffee producing communities who continue to inspire us everyday. With each new connection we make, we are able to learn and evolve as a brand.
Our brand refresh is inspired by the connections we have, and continue to make every day. As these relationships have flourished, so has our identity - helping to inform a fresh perspective and direction. These connections have been absolutely instrumental in shaping our brand and guiding us along our continued journey.
The Lifestyle
As we continued on our journey, we came to realise that we were deeply inspired by the lifestyle of championing adventure and the connections that are made along the way. The notion that everyone bears the potential to be adventurous is something that deeply resonated with us.
This aspirational lifestyle is rooted in our history. Our Co-Founders, Craig & Michael, were brought together for their shared passions and their intertwining experiences have informed who we are today. Whether it’s exploring a new hobby or visiting a new place, we want to inspire people to be curious and embrace new experiences.
BEAR is more than a coffeehouse. We fully embrace an ethos that is daring, adventurous and lives for the journey. Our brand refresh is a reflection of this lifestyle. It's a community of like-minded people who share a passion for adventure and connection. Our new look is a representation of this, paying homage to the adventurous nature intrinsic with snapshot lo-fi photography and drawing inspiration from the rich colours within the iconic imagery.
We believe that life is an adventure, and we want to inspire everyone to embrace that adventure and enjoy the journey.
We’re proud of the journey we have embarked on that has allowed us to be inspired by Adventure, Connection and Lifestyle. Although we have only just scratched the surface of this ongoing journey, we believe that through the experiences we have had and the connections we have made, we are part of an aspirational lifestyle that champions the potential for adventure in all of us.
After considering the path we have found ourselves on, we decided it was time for a bit of a branding refresh - one that captured the essence of our journey and reflected the values that we hold dear. The result? A fresh, new look that still captures the spirit of BEAR. Timeless, adaptable and bold - it reflects the idea that good coffee, good people and good times will never go out of style, while paying homage to the notion of living for the journey.
Ultimately, our brand refresh was all about staying true to our roots while evolving to meet the needs of our growing community. We're excited about what the future holds for us and can't wait to share it with you!
