A speciality coffee shop in Gillingham has won four local awards within three months of launching, including Best Café in North Dorset and Best Business in the Town. TheKaffee opened in September 2024 and now operates from a converted bank building in the market town of 7,000 people.
Founded by Toni and Ewelina Wiesner, with construction led by Toni’s father, Steffan, the project began just two days after the family decided to move forward. Steffan crafted nearly every element of the interior by hand, including the furniture, cladding, and coffee bar.
Toni provides creative direction and coffee knowledge, Ewelina oversees operational and financial management, and Steffan’s craftsmanship has produced the distinctive space that customers regularly 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 for inclusivity and comfort, offering a children’s play corner, dog-friendly features, and reliable WiFi with charging points. One dedicated customer travels 11 miles specifically for TheKaffee’s drinks.
Their speciality offering uses beans sourced from top coffee-producing regions and roasted to highlight the unique flavour of each origin. Working with Girls Who Grind Coffee, a respected local roastery, the café uses beans roasted within a week to ensure optimum quality. Staff weigh every shot and track extraction times to maintain consistency, and the menu includes alternative brewing methods. TheKaffee served roughly 50,000 cups in its first year of operation.
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—only three months after launching—TheKaffee won awards for Best Café in North Dorset, Best Business in Gillingham, and Best Restaurant. In December 2025, it added Best Christmas Window display to its collection.
Customer reviews on Google consistently note the welcoming environment and food quality. One review says: “So nice to go somewhere local and chill with coffee and the best carrot cake. Beautiful interior.” Another remarks: “The expansion to a couple of nights serving cocktails is a great addition to the business and the town.”
The café acquired its alcohol licence in August 2025 and now serves cocktails on Friday evenings, with the Passion Fruit Martini emerging as a favourite. The food menu now includes artisan sandwiches and homemade cakes, with the Basque cheesecake often purchased in half-cake portions.
The venue is also expanding its community role by offering private hire and planning events such as bingo nights and live jazz sessions.
TheKaffee is located at 11 High Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4PY.
