Pop Ups, Pink Panther and Ponsonby

Hey Slow fam!!!

I feel like this Substack deserves a Special Mention.
(See what I did there? 😉)
It’s Sunday and I’ve officially slowed down — so the dad jokes are flowing. But stay with me. This one’s special. I promise it’s worth your time.

Why We Do This

When Jonte and I think about what SL.OW really is, it always comes back to this:

How can we bring people together through coffee and make them feel something?

Whether it’s online, at a pop-up, or in your morning routine — we want to be a part of those moments that feel meaningful. We want you to walk away from any touchpoint with our brand thinking:

“I’m better off for having experienced that.”

Sounds simple, right?
Create great coffee. Build a brand that people love. Make them feel good about it.

But in a world where everything is instant and attention spans are short…
Slowing someone down? That’s hard.
And that’s exactly what makes it worth doing.

Pop-Up Magic at Special Mention

So when the team at Special Mention hit us up after our DailyDaily pop-up, it was an instant yes. No hesitation.

Their space is built on community, craft, and good humans — and we felt that energy all day.

We had nearly the full lineup on offer—Studio Blend on white coffee, Sticky Jam running the black, and then Pink Panther, Cherry Wine, and Wild Honey across batch and pour over. Pink Panther easily stole the show. Watching people’s faces light up with that first sip was pure joy. Wild Honey held its own too, with that lush sweetness, while Cherry Wine stood out for those keen on something a bit more funky and adventurous.

We were flat out (pun intended):

• 6 hours of brewing

• 25+ V60s

• 5kg + coffee served

• Endless good vibes

Mid-morning, things finally settled and I stepped outside to catch my breath. I turned around, looked back into the space, and just paused.

There it was — a café full of people drinking SL.OW coffee.
Talking. Smiling. Just being.

And I thought:

“This is the actual dream.”

If nothing more came of this, it would still all be worth it.
But that moment also reminded me:
We’re just getting started.

To Everyone Who Showed Up

The feedback we got?
Unreal.

“You’re among the best roasters in NZ.”
“The branding is so clean.”
“These tasting cards?! Obsessed.”

Massive shoutout to Jonte — aka Adobe Pro Gamer — for crafting those tasting cards.

To everyone who shared some incredibly nice words with us. THANK YOU! This is the stuff I go home and tell my parents and partner about when they asked how the day went. It matters, a lot. So thank you!

Thank You’s & A Little Ask

Special Mention — thank you for opening your doors and hearts.
Lex, you’re the man.
Adam, thank you for the burger.
The legends on the machine — heroes.

To every single person who came through — you’re why we do this.

Extra love to Magic Roast, fellow Substacker — it was so good to sling a brew your way in person. Appreciate you big time.

What’s Next?

These pop-ups are starting to feel like something truly powerful.
They let us connect with the SL.OW family in real life. Share energy. Tell stories. Brew meaningfully.

So here’s the ask:

Do you know of a space in Ponsonby or surrounding areas we could take over for a weekend?
Think: full SL.OW experience — merch, custom cups, curated playlists, incense, a few surprises…

If something comes to mind, flick us a DM or email.
We’re ready to go full send on this expression.

Till next time,
Sam

The world moves fast. Slow down.