Some people drink coffee, others live it. Willow Bend’s Ben Pankhurst is definitely among the latter!
After years of working in a coffee shop, Ben developed a deep appreciation for what makes a truly great brew. So, in a natural progression, he began roasting his own blends from a small shop in Croydon. His goal? To create coffee that was smooth enough to drink black but bold enough to taste through milk.
Originally, Willow Bend was meant to be a wholesale coffee bean business — until the aroma of freshly roasted beans combined with Ben’s generous spirit started luring locals inside. If someone popped in, curious about what he was up to, he’d whip them up a cup at no charge. Before long, word spread, more people showed up and soon enough, the Willow Bend Coffee shop was born.
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- Ben Pankhurst
Fast forward to today, Willow Bend has moved just down the street to premises large enough to accommodate its evergrowing crowd of coffee aficionados. The new space is a nod to Ben’s heritage, blending a 1970s Italian-New York aesthetic with moody dark woods, leather furnishings and framed photos of his grandparents’ migration journey. It’s stylish yet inviting and effortlessly cool.
Meanwhile, the original location remains the heart of Willow Bend’s roasting and wholesaling operations, with their signature smooth blends shipped to businesses and loyal customers across the state.
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- Image Credit :: 2049
But what truly sets Willow Bend apart is the good old-fashioned hospitality that greets you as soon as you step inside. For Ben, great coffee is only half the experience — customer service is just as important. He and his team make every visitor feel like a regular, whether it’s their first or fiftieth visit. “When I hire, I look for people who are naturally friendly and outgoing because genuine hospitality can’t be faked,” Ben explains.
At Willow Bend, every coffee is brewed with passion and served with a smile. You might even say there’s a whole ‘latte’ love in every cup!
22 Elizabeth Street, Croydon
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