We travel in order to find home. I know this comes off as ironic, but it’s a truth I find constantly whenever I hand over a boarding pass. I just got off the plane as I write this, right after the action of New York Fashion Week, with a fresh appreciation for what I have here.
In New York, there were times when I felt homesick. My friends were there and the parties were fun but no matter what happens, it pays to find a place to relax and feel welcome in. Among the busy and storied streets, and in the sea of the fashionable set, a coffee shop is where I find just what I need. Toby’s Estate, which is also a favorite spot of mine while in Manila, was a refuge for me in NY.
It starts with the great coffee. In a city that never sleeps, the caffeine is premium. Toby’s Estate takes pride in their roasts which were developed by Toby Smith in his mom’s garage. See? All good things start at home. In the Philippines, Toby’s has locations in Valero, Bonifacio global City, Eastwood, Serendra, and Greenhills. In New York, you’ll spot them in Brooklyn, the UrbanSpace Vanderbilt, and at Greenwhich.
From there, Toby’s now serves 600 independent cafes, making it the majority player in the specialty coffee game. But past all of that, Toby’s is where I know I will feel right where I belong. The big and foreign city feels less a little harsh and I feel a little less lonely. I think it’s how coffee shops are meant to be anyway. They make you feel grounded but are also quite universal in that sense that all of us need a place to enjoy some good coffee, where we are greeted by friendly faces, and that we are reminded that we don’t need to go far in order to find what we really need.