The Scruton coffee chain is expanding: Café Frei units are being replaced in several Libri bookstores

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 11. 06. 11:30

The Scruton coffee chain, founded in 2020, began a significant expansion this year: they are about to open their sixth unit, among others in Libri bookstores in the capital. Café Frei, which has been stable until now, is leaving several Libri locations, and their place will be taken over by the Scruton Community Squares. According to Világgazdaság, this change is part of the new concept operated by Apriori Cultura Nonprofit Zrt., which aims to create community spaces in Hungarian bookstores.

The first Libri unit of the Scruton café in the capital opened in October in the Allee Shopping Center, where Café Frei had previously operated for several years. Scruton will soon also open its new cafe in the Libri bookstore in the Mammut Shopping Center, so the expansion will affect two important locations this year. According to the new concept, the Scruton cafes will function not only as cafes, but also as social spaces, representing the conservative values of the philosopher Roger Scruton.

Despite the transformation, Café Frei, which has a significant network throughout Hungary and abroad, will not shrink back as it continues its activities in other locations. What’s more, the company has recently completely renovated its five units in Hungary, and plans are also underway to open an independent store in Mammut. Thus, the presence of Café Frei does not decrease, it merely transforms and expands to new locations.

The first unit of the Scruton café opened in 2020 in Budapest, on Zoltán Street. The MCC Foundation, which is one of the supporters of the development of the Scruton Community Spaces, bought the majority of the shares of the Libri group last year, thus appearing as a new owner in the bookstore network.