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Maido by Provider Store
For almost a decade, Tara Bennett wanted to incorporate a cafe into her world of curated Japanese design.
“I was always looking for spots where I could create it,” says the founder of Provider Store in Sydney and Provider House in Hobart. “Then, one day, we were in a trade meeting, and we all had a lightbulb moment – that we could create a cafe in our studio in Surry Hills. It felt like we were opening up our little world to the public, who could see us being creative and the process behind Provider.”
That ‘lightbulb moment’ is now Maido, a co-venture between Provider Store and Dan Yee of Artificer and Neighbourhood Specialty Coffee. The Surry Hills cafe blends Yee’s coffee expertise with Bennett’s ability to create calming spaces that encourage connection, collaboration and community. It’s an organic meeting of minds and interests, as Bennett explains: “I have always loved what Dan and Shoji [Sasa] created with Artificer and he has been a mentor for me for many years.”
‘Maido’ is a local greeting Bennett learnt on one of her travels to Osaka, Japan, meaning ‘good morning’, ‘good afternoon’ and ‘good evening’. The name sets the tone for this multi-use space that not only offers great coffee and a selection of Japanese-made homewares but a host of workshops and exhibitions as well.
Maido has a similar ethos to Provider House in Tasmania, which offers a fully immersive experience into Japanese design and functionality.
Maido has a similar ethos to Provider House in Tasmania, which offers a fully immersive experience into Japanese design and functionality. Here, customers are free to interact with products at a level beyond e-commerce and most retail experiences, and coffee is served in wares sold at Provider Store, such as the perennially popular Chips stacking mugs and unfilled candle vessels.
The Candle Lab – as it’s affectionately known – at Maido invites visitors into the Provider art of candle-making. The transparent divider allows customers to watch the process unfold as they sip their morning coffee. And if they’re feeling inspired, they can enrol in candle-making workshops.
At Maido, every visit is an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Whether you’re savouring a fine cup of coffee, crafting your own candle, picking up a gift or simply soaking in the intimate atmosphere, you’ve become a part of the Maido community.
