Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobian Demce.
Hi Bobian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Dua Kafe really started from a mix of passion and nostalgia. I grew up with a strong sense of hospitality and community, and when I came to New York, I wanted to bring a little bit of that Mediterranean warmth here. I started with a simple goal: to create a place where people don’t just grab a coffee, but actually connect — through art, music, conversation, and good food.
Over time, that vision became Dua Kafe. The name “Dua” means “love” in Albanian, and that’s really the heart of it — love for what we do, love for culture, and love for people. We started small, but word spread quickly because it wasn’t just about coffee; it was about energy, design, and experience.
Today, Dua Kafe has grown into a real community spot — a mix of Raki, food, and art — and it’s been amazing to see how far it’s come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not always a smooth road — like most small businesses, especially in New York, we’ve had our share of challenges. Opening and growing a café in this city means dealing with high costs, long hours, and constant competition. There were moments when finding the right space, staff, and even maintaining consistency felt like an uphill climb.
Then, of course, there were outside factors — the pandemic changed everything in hospitality, and we had to adapt fast, focusing more on takeout, delivery, and building a loyal community that would keep us going.
But in a way, those struggles shaped Dua Kafe’s identity. They pushed us to get more creative, to stay authentic, and to build real relationships with our customers. Every challenge made us stronger and more connected to what the brand stands for — passion, resilience, and love for what we do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Dua Kafe, everything we do is about blending creativity with connection. It’s not just a café — it’s a living space for art, music, and human stories. We serve Raki, wine and Albanian-Mediterranean-inspired food, but what really defines us is the atmosphere — that mix of warmth, soul, and inspiration you feel the moment you walk in.
We’ve hosted poets, filmmakers, painters, and musicians — and somehow, all of it fits naturally together with the coffee aroma and conversation. I think what sets Dua Kafe apart is that it feels real — it’s not designed just to look good; it’s designed to make people feel something.
What I’m most proud of is the energy we’ve built — that creative heartbeat that keeps people coming back. Dua Kafe is where culture and coffee meet, where a simple cup can spark an idea, a friendship, or even a collaboration. That’s the magic of it.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something people don’t always realize is that Dua Kafe started from my background in the arts — not business. Before coffee and hospitality, I worked in film, theatre, and production. So, the café was never just about serving drinks — it was about storytelling, atmosphere, and emotion.
Every corner of Dua Kafe — the lighting, the music, even the way the tables are arranged — comes from that artistic mindset. I approach it like directing a scene: the space, the people, and the mood all matter.
So while people might see it as a café, to me, it’s more like a stage — a place where life happens, where strangers connect, and where every day has its own story. That creative foundation is what makes Dua Kafe what it is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Duakafe.com
- Instagram: @duakafe
- Facebook: Dukafe
- LinkedIn: Duakafe
- Youtube: Duakafe
- Yelp: Duakafe
