A new speciality coffee shop in Gillingham has achieved an impressive feat, winning four significant awards within three months of opening, including Best Café in North Dorset and Best Business in the Town. TheKaffee, which opened in September 2024, operates from a former bank building in the Dorset town of 7,000 residents.
The café was founded by Toni and Ewelina Wiesner, with Toni’s father, Steffan, responsible for the entire refurbishment. Within 48 hours of committing to the idea, the family began renovating the long-standing empty property. Steffan completed almost all of the construction himself, crafting the interior, bespoke furniture, and the coffee bar by hand.
Toni provides creative leadership and coffee expertise, Ewelina oversees operations and budgeting, and Steffan’s craftsmanship has shaped the characterful interior that customers continually praise.
Toni Wiesner, chief barista and creative director, said: “We’re creating a space where people feel they belong. When someone walks in, we don’t just smile and take their order – we’re genuinely interested in what they’re doing today, we remember their name, and we build real relationships. That’s what’s missing from the big chains, and that’s what our community deserves.”
The café has been designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of customers, featuring a play area for children, facilities for dogs, and strong WiFi with easily accessible power sockets. One regular now travels 11 miles specifically for TheKaffee’s coffee.
TheKaffee’s beverage offering is built around speciality beans sourced from esteemed growing regions, roasted to enhance their distinctive flavours. Working with the award-winning Girls Who Grind Coffee roastery, they use single-origin beans roasted within seven days to ensure peak freshness. Precise shot weighting and extraction monitoring form part of their quality process, and they provide multiple brewing options. The café served close to 50,000 cups during its first year.
Ewelina Wiesner, business partner and investor, said: “We wanted to create a hub where the community comes first. This building was empty whilst our High Street was declining. Now we’ve created something people actively seek out and make part of their lives. It’s pure family teamwork – Toni’s creativity, Steffan’s building skills, and my business experience all came together.”
In December 2024, TheKaffee secured three awards — Best Café in North Dorset, Best Business in Gillingham, and Best Restaurant — only months after opening. A year later, it also won Best Christmas Window display.
Customer reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. One reads: “So nice to go somewhere local and chill with coffee and the best carrot cake. Beautiful interior.” Another commented: “The expansion to a couple of nights serving cocktails is a great addition to the business and the town.”
In August 2025, the café obtained its alcohol licence and began running Friday cocktail evenings; the Passion Fruit Martini is now its top-selling drink. Its menu has expanded to feature artisan sandwiches and homemade cakes, including the much-loved Basque cheesecake, often bought by customers in large portions.
The café also offers private venue hire for community gatherings, business meetings, and school events, with further plans to introduce bingo evenings and live jazz nights.
TheKaffee is located at 11 High Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4PY.
