Good morning, Bengaluru!
🌧️ Today’s weather: High: 29 ℃ | Low: 20 ℃ | A generally cloudy day with a few spells of rain.
🧐 Did you know? Texas Instruments became the first multinational corporation to set up base in Bangalore in 1985.
☕ abCoffee comes to Bengaluru
The fast-growing Indian coffee chain has expanded to Bengaluru with seven new stores.
What’s it about? The Mumbai-based coffee chain feels its small-format stores and speed of service are best suited for Bengaluru’s tech-savvy residents. The company enters a city where other startup coffee chains are also making a name for themselves.
- The company focused on technology hubs like Prestige Tech Park, Brigade Magnum and Sunriver, and Embassy GolfLinks as part of its initial rollout.
- According to its founder and CEO Abhijeet Anand, Bengaluru is the perfect backdrop for its new outlets with its IT crowd and startup culture.
Domestic coffee competition: Other companies like Bengaluru-based Third Wave Coffee and Gurugram-based Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters have raised significant funds for their expansions. Others include Jaipur-based café chain Nothing Before Coffee and First Coffee.
🏢 Zepto shifting to Bengaluru
The quick commerce startup is moving its headquarters from Mumbai to Bengaluru.
What’s it about? The company currently works out of WeWork at Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road. It is now scouting locations in Sarjapur, Bengaluru. Moving from Mumbai to Bengaluru is expected to save the company about ₹40-50 lakh monthly on rent.
- The company is looking at about 2 lakh square feet of office space in the city. It has been expanding its footprint in the city with a 40,000 sq ft space and 700 staff.
- While the company’s headquarters will shift to Bengaluru, it’ll continue to have offices in Mumbai. Their lease at WeWork in Mumbai expires at the end of this year, and it’s planning to hire 400 people.
Competitors in the city: Zepto’s competitors Swiggy and Flipkart have their bases in Bengaluru. Along with Hyderabad, both cities drove office market activity.
🩸 Blood art
The peculiar art form of blood art is gaining popularity among the city’s residents.
What’s it about? Sanjeev Sangme, an artist in Abbigere, has done over 8,000 artworks with blood. For him, it’s about breaking taboos and pushing boundaries on what’s considered acceptable as art.
- His clients visit a diagnostic centre to get their blood drawn and send it to him. A custom artwork, like a portrait, uses 2-3 ml of blood and takes a week or two to finish.
- He has completed 500 pieces in a year, and the demand is only increasing. His service is only available for people above the age of 18.
Unique art form: Blood is used instead of paint to symbolise something intimate. It’s a unique expression of bonds that’s fascinating.
🛫 KIA’s new lounge
The KIA has unveiled its new Zero Eight Zero (080) lounge at T2.
What’s it about? Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) unveiled the new 38,000-square-foot lounge on the first floor of T2. It features cafes inspired by Kodagu and tributes to the city’s pop culture and local artists.
- The Radio House has art installations crafted from black and brown stick tapes, creating unique patterns. The restaurant also has a retro-themed display of vinyl records.
- The unique design extends to the floor mats, which feature a map of the city with highlighted wards like Indiranagar, Jayanagar and Shantinagar. There’s also the Bengaluru Courtyard cafe.
A destination in itself: The goal is to make the Bengaluru airport a destination in itself and offer flyers a memorable, fun, and relaxing time that echoes the city’s charm.
📊 Today’s Poll
(Only subscribers can participate in the polls)
Do you regularly use quick commerce apps?
- I regularly use quick commerce apps.
- I don’t regularly use quick commerce apps.
❓ Today’s Question
(Only subscribers can submit their answers)
What’s your go-to comfort food?
Reply to this email with your answers.
🗞️ In other news…
- A new government order has stated that bars and hotels can now serve liquor till 1 am.
- The Central government said it can’t yet grant Bengaluru the ‘metro’ status.
- The city’s growing needs necessitate multiple airports.
- ORR service lanes between Hebbal and Kasturi Nagar are in bad condition.
- Indira Canteens are going the digital way and will now take orders on digital screens.
🛋️ Local Lounge
Yesterday’s Poll:
- I have eaten at an Indira Canteen: 23.1%
- I haven’t eaten at an Indira Canteen: 76.9% 🏆
Answers to Yesterday’s Question:
What book have you recommended to others many times?
Santosh: “How to influence Friends and Family, Atomic Habits, IKIGAI, Alchemist”
Simon: “The Lies of Locke Lamora”
That’s it for today. Have a great day!