Located in the corners of Gadong Central, the Edge is more than just a cafe, it is a labour of love brought to life by two budding youthpreneurs who turned their shared dream into reality.
Founded in 2024, The Edge was born from a simple idea to create a welcoming space where people from all walks of life can come together and enjoy great coffee.
At the heart of the homegrown cafe are Dk Deeya Myrza Pg Khamarul Zaman and Muhd Haziq Yussof Hj Awang Muhd Hussaini, a passionate duo who have poured their love and dedication into every cup they serve.
After years of cafe-hopping, exploring flavours, and perfecting their craft, the friends transformed their long-held dream into reality by opening their café.
The Beginnings of the Edge
When they first opened The Edge, the two friends had no prior experience in running a café.
Myrza and Haziq devoted much of their free time to immersing themselves in the local and international coffee scene while researching what it takes to run a successful business.
They carefully studied different brewing techniques, café concepts, and customer experiences, taking note of what makes a coffee shop truly stand out.
Inspired by the rapid growth of Brunei’s café scene, Myrza shared, “It’s exciting to see so many new cafés popping up around here. I’m proud of how it’s evolving, and I love supporting them by trying out their unique offerings.”
Balancing multiple responsibilities, Myrza, a full-time entrepreneur and student, dedicated herself to understanding the intricacies of the industry – from business operations to customer engagement – while refining her vision for their café.
Whereas, Haziq who had no prior experience as a barista, spent months learning the art of coffee-making, gaining hands-on experience from various cafés, and perfecting his skills in brewing, latte art, and flavour profiling.
Their shared passion, perseverance and willingness to learn became the foundation of the cafe, transforming their dream into a reality.
“At first, I was sceptical, thinking it was just an idea that wouldn’t materialize. My partner had imaginative ideas that seemed far-fetched, but eventually, I started embracing them without any expectations,” Myrza shared.
The duo meticulously planned their next steps, starting small by purchasing essential items like cups from BandarKu Ceria’s Sunday thrifts. Gradually, they invested in coffee machines and furniture, bringing their vision to life.
With the Edge, the duo wanted to create a sense of community and a comforting atmosphere as they want people to feel right at home when they come through the doors.
Having envisioned the café as a second home for their customers, the inside space comfortably accommodates up to 25 customers, featuring intimate seating areas that are thoughtfully arranged into smaller gathering spots.
Myrza’s personal touch can be seen everywhere in the cafe from walls adorned with paintings made by her family and an array of furniture and trinkets that she brought in from home.
“Ninety per cent of the paintings in the café are by my father, while the one of the women holding a wine glass belongs to my cousin. Artistic talent runs in the family — just not for me,” she shared.
“The paintings are on display, but they’re also for sale. We’re here to showcase the art, but anyone interested is welcome to inquire,” she added.
Located on the second floor of Gadong Central Building, above KFC, the decision for the cafe came after the budding entrepreneurs noticed its strategic location.
For the friends, the location of the cafe is considered quite central and easily accessible.
The Edge is named after its location at the building’s corner. Since its opening, the coffee business has been getting positive responses and amazing support.
However, for the partners, operating the business in the early stages had its challenges, but it has also helped them learn more about the business and the market.
“Our biggest challenge initially was making people aware that The Edge exists. We overcame this by leveraging social media to promote our brand,” said Myrza.
Social media has played a crucial role in The Edge’s success, with Instagram and TikTok serving as key platforms for marketing and customer engagement.
As for the drinks, the duo is keeping the Edge’s menu simple yet creative. On the menu is an array of traditional favourites like latte, cappuccino, flat white, Americano and Espresso.
The local business also introduced a variety of crowd-pleasing drinks including their signature Butterscotch Coffee, Cinnamon Oat Matcha, ChocBliss and Peachy Paradise.
The inspiration behind these drinks also stems from Myrza’s personal experiences. “If I taste something overseas that I love, I try to recreate it,” she shared.
With The Edge now firmly established, the next step is expansion. The two friends aim to introduce unique experiences to set the café apart, continuously evolving to meet customer expectations.
“Every day is a learning process, and we take feedback seriously. It helps us improve both our products and services.”
When asked about other plans for the cafe, Myrza said that they want to focus on growing the cafe and adding more items to their menu to give customers more options.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, the duo-friends have one key piece of advice: “Don’t wait for the perfect moment, create it.”
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
