3fe Coffee, short for Third Floor Espresso, was born out of a deep passion for making great coffee. It all started when the founder, Colin Harmon - a former investment fund worker, became frustrated with the inconsistent quality of coffee he was buying. His curiosity led him to discover the intricate world of coffee preparation, from brewing to roasting. Soon, Colin found himself part of a network of like-minded coffee enthusiasts, meeting up in clandestine locations to exchange their latest coffee finds.
Despite having a lucrative career in finance, Colin left his job to chase his newfound passion. His early days were marked by a challenging transition, but his journey took an exciting turn when he unexpectedly won the Irish Barista Championships, leading him to the World Championships in Atlanta, with only six months of barista experience.
Driven by a desire to avoid embarrassment, Colin put in countless hours of practice, preparing himself for the international competition. His hard work paid off as he secured an impressive fourth-place finish, a mere year after his entry into the coffee world.
Returning to Dublin, he opened his coffee shop, 3fe Coffee, amid an environment that lacked a genuine coffee culture. He faced the challenge head-on, with a focus on serving fresh-roasted, excellent coffee. Despite the initial hurdles, including mockery from his former peers in finance, he persevered.
3fe Coffee was established in the unlikely setting of a city center nightclub, The Twisted Pepper. The name 3fe came from his third-floor apartment, and their logo was designed to be recognizable even when upside down on a coffee cup.
The mantra at 3fe Coffee is simple - "make nice coffee, be nice to people and they'll come back guaranteed." Despite a challenging start, 3fe Coffee today stands as a testament to the founder's unwavering passion and commitment to quality coffee.
