Young entrepreneurs in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are implementing innovative ideas to make their businesses unique.
During the last year, several new businesses in the Kashmir valley came up with the theme of “Motor Garage,” the popular arena-battle game “PUBG,” and other such unique set-ups.
Now a unique cafe, the first of its kind based on the theme of the American sitcom “F.R.I.E.N.D.S.”, has become the centre of attraction in Kashmir.
Built in Hubak, a suburb of Srinagar city, this cafe has been modelled after the “Central Perk Cafe” in America. Be it the doors or walls, the furniture, or the things placed on the shelves, everything resembles and presents the same ambience to the people as was seen in the show. This cafe is being run by a couple, Afra and Faheem. Afra has done an MBA, and Faheem is an engineer by profession. Wanting to branch out and start their own business, Afra and Faheem started the construction of the cafe in July 2019. But initially, they haven’t planned for it to resemble the iconic Central Perk Cafe.
Afra said, “The construction of the cafe had started in July 2019 but was later stalled due to unfavourable conditions.” She further informed me that the idea of making it look like the Central Perk came when Faheem watched the popular “Friends” series during the ongoing lockdown in 2020. After the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, they thought to create this themed cafe.
Faheem added that it was not an easy task to implement the cafe on the theme of the sitcom Friends. Faheem further stated that it was difficult to collect the equipment and items needed to provide a complete and refined environment for friends, like at the Central Perk Cafe, as they had to import items.
Faheem exclaimed that today, when visitors praise the cafe, the effort behind it seems worth it. “Everyone who comes to the cafe can’t help but appreciate it.” “We feel happy when people like our idea,” said Faheem.
Visitors who praise the cafe say that it transports them away from Kashmir and into another world. In this cafe, no compromise is made on the quality of the dishes, and special attention is paid to the visitor’s taste buds.
Central Perk Cafe has only been open for a few months now, but it is becoming quite popular with people.