Algerian Coffee Stores in the heart of London's Soho is among the oldest shops in the area, dating back to 1887.
Algerian Coffee Stores in the heart of London's Soho is among the oldest shops in the area, dating back to 1887.
James Stacey/CNN
A n image from the 1930s of Algerian Coffee Stores, on Old Compton Street. The shop was founded by an Algerian national now remembered only as Mr. Hassan. The shop was subsequently bought by a Belgian, who sold it to an Englishman in 1940s, whose descendants run the shop today.
A n image from the 1930s of Algerian Coffee Stores, on Old Compton Street. The shop was founded by an Algerian national now remembered only as Mr. Hassan. The shop was subsequently bought by a Belgian, who sold it to an Englishman in 1940s, whose descendants run the shop today.
James Stacey/CNN
The shop is a favorite among caffeine connoisseurs, who can buy 80 types of coffee and 120 types of tea there.
The shop is a favorite among caffeine connoisseurs, who can buy 80 types of coffee and 120 types of tea there.
James Stacey/CNN
The shop works with other small businesses to bring coffee from Hawaii to Vietnam and Malawi to its London customers.
The shop works with other small businesses to bring coffee from Hawaii to Vietnam and Malawi to its London customers.
James Stacey/CNN
"You can often see if someone's new to the shop, because they come in, they just look around and sometimes they say, 'wow,'" says Marisa Crocetta, who co-runs the store. "They're a bit dumbstruck."
"You can often see if someone's new to the shop, because they come in, they just look around and sometimes they say, 'wow,'" says Marisa Crocetta, who co-runs the store. "They're a bit dumbstruck."
James Stacey/CNN
Despite the many changes taking place to Soho, the store is in no mind to move with the times. "No one wants (us) to glam it up ... people want it to stay as it is," says Crocetta. "I think it's important to keep old London and some of the history alive."
Despite the many changes taking place to Soho, the store is in no mind to move with the times. "No one wants (us) to glam it up ... people want it to stay as it is," says Crocetta. "I think it's important to keep old London and some of the history alive."
James Stacey/CNN
The store has shipped its coffee internationally for decades, although these days orders are more likely to come from their website than signed letter.
The store has shipped its coffee internationally for decades, although these days orders are more likely to come from their website than signed letter.
James Stacey/CNN
"We are kind of blown away by the support we get from our customers from all over the UK and all over the world," says Crocetta, pictured. "I can only think it's part the roasting, part us, part the coffee that we offer. It's lovely."
"We are kind of blown away by the support we get from our customers from all over the UK and all over the world," says Crocetta, pictured. "I can only think it's part the roasting, part us, part the coffee that we offer. It's lovely."
James Stacey/CNN