To simply call this place a ‘cafe’ would be incredibly insulting to Ampersand’s quirky and innovative business.
The bookstore slash coffee shop is located in Paddington in such a subtle and niche corner, that simply blink and you just might wander past it. Although it appears quite small from the outside, it actually contains over 30,000 hard and paperback books, displayed over three levels of the building. It is literally floor to ceiling in some parts, stock piled with weird and wonderful manuscripts that they have collected.
The staff are a ‘mug half-full’ bunch; happy to be employed in an environment swelling with books, that provides freshly made coffee and a friendly chatter each time you pay it a visit.
Ampersand also understands that like passing on good books, life is cyclical, ‘what goes around comes around’. With this recognition for karma they aim to give back to the community by donating all books sold from their $1 book bin to local charities. They also keep near by retailers happy by giving discounts to those that work along Oxford Street, promoting a local buzz of positivity.
To keep the quality of text up to standards, Ampersand also buy recommended books off customers, to ensure that a once-loved paperback may fall into the hands of another coffee sipper seeking a good read.
Although they enjoy feeding your mind with perfectly put together novels, they also want to fill your bellies. Take pleasure in their famous Apple and Berry Crumble served with natural yoghurt, drizzled with honey and cinnamon. Once you’ve found a book, perch yourself on one of their outdoor deck chairs or enjoy the indoor couches, either way your mind will wander with Ampersand.
