A coffee coupled with a cutlet
(with signature beetroot inside) is a yummy combination for a Keralite. It is
easy to spot a Keralite anywhere in India as he will be searching for an ICH
first (even though its presence is limited to few regions across India). Talk
to anyone in the bygone era they will have a lot reminiscence about ICH. Even
years before the launch of Café Coffee Day or the Starbucks, ICH brought in
coffee culture in India.
The Indian Coffee House chain commenced
as a small outlet by the Coffee Cess Committee in 1936. The first outlet opened
in Mumbai and by the 1940s almost 50 Coffee Houses had opened up all over
British India. During the 1950s some changes in policies came around and the
board had to shut down the Coffee Houses. But later communist leader A. K.
Gopalan along with workers of the Coffee Board formed the Indian Coffee
Workers' Co-operatives and re-started the chain as Indian Coffee House. The
same started in Bangalore on 19 August 1957 along with other parts of the
country.
Every ICH outlets have a lot to
cherish up on. It was really a Starbucks of the past. You have a sip of coffee
blended with chicory and hang on there for hours. The attender with a turban
will treat you well regardless of your order. The coffee house friends meet
daily and have heated discussions on politics, movies, society and what not. In
fact crucial life decisions are taken during such gatherings. Thus ICH as brand
is not positioned as a hotel but as a hangout place for people. ICH seldom
looks modern but it gives energy to all who loves it. The ICH brand delivers
the brand promise and the trust people have in the brand is unparalleled.
But are ICH relevant today to the
new generation? Even though people prefer ICH, one has to agree that it has
lost its charm to the Café Coffee Day, Barista etc. This has resulted in
closure of a few ICH outlets. Will ICH remain as Starbucks or
Star(ve)bucks(starving for money)?
nice
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