TONERA | Commercial Property Flipping

VALENCIA, SPAIN. LOCAL BUSINESS FLIPPING

Commercial Property

Flipping / Commercial Property (bajo)

In 2017, we came up with the idea of opening a coffee shop for dog owners. We envisioned a cosy spot with delicious coffee and desserts where dog owners could relax after a walk, and where their pets could enjoy a drink and a treat. As decorators and artists, we couldn't leave the interior without vibrant art, so we did everything ourselves.

We came up with a catchy name, TAILS, and a themed brand identity. We opened in an unpopular, even disadvantaged, area with virtually no traffic, but within a month of opening, we had managed to gather a multitude of creative, warm-hearted people on our premises, a true community of like-minded individuals, and everything quickly grew beyond just a coffee shop.

Meet Our Team

Interior design and art have been our life for over 13 years. We create places people want to buy, stay in, and return to.

Ros Kozhman

Interior Designer, Light Designer, Sculptor
Irena Antoniuk

Decorator, Interior Designer, Interior Stylist, Artist

Where We Started

We spotted an old space in an unpopular area of Haifa's Old City. Many years ago, this area was a bustling centre, but not anymore. Most of the commercial spaces in the area had long since closed, were empty, dilapidated, and dirty. Our space turned out to be a long-abandoned fabric dyeing shop or something similar.

However, we saw potential in it: a great display window and an impressive terrace suitable for seating.

Our Final Point

It's no exaggeration to say we poured our hearts and souls into this place. From opening day until the day we sold the business, we spent wonderful months welcoming guests and their furry pets to our art cafe.

✰ IDEA
We purchased this space primarily to transform it into our own private art studio, not only to create and store art and design objects but also to host photo shoots.

After the redesign, we divided the space into three main zones:

a separate room was used as a workshop for creating sculptures and interior design objects,
a separate area of the main space was used for creating/filming wall art,
a separate area was used for photo shoots of art and interior design presentations.

✰ WORKSHOP (SCULPTURES AND ARTY INTERIOR PRODUCTS)

✰ WORKSHOP (WALL ART)

✰ PHOTOSTUDIO

Step 1. Entrance Area: Before and After

✰ IDEA
We had a series of original paintings featuring a geometric pattern. We decided the building's metal facade could be decorated in the same style. So we stocked up on multicoloured metal paints and got to work.

Step 2. Interior: Before and After

✰ Before and After

✰ A COUPLE OF MORE BEFORE/AFTER

Step 3. Furniture: Before and After

✰ IDEA
As a new local business in a new country, we were naturally on a budget, so we decided to find and repurpose old wooden chairs instead of cheap store-bought plastic or metal furniture.

We were lucky, as in Israel, old and vintage furniture is often thrown out onto the street. Of course, all the chairs needed restoration, but the excellent base of solid wood and vintage design helped us transform the chairs into high-quality, sturdy, and durable coffee shop furniture.

We repaired and reinforced the base and legs, removed the old finish, painted them white, and completely replaced the seats and backrests, reupholstering the foam and covering them with a bright, durable tapestry fabric.

✰ IDEA
Besides the chairs, we were also lucky enough to find a whole sofa, a favourite hangout spot for our guests: the fluffy tails and their owners.

Step 4. Branding

✰ IDEA
A dog with a cup of takeaway coffee was chosen as the brand character. Frankly, at first we thought most dog owners would grab their coffee and then take it for a walk. However, it turned out that people came to us to relax and spend time after their dog's walk. We were delighted with this.

The character formed the basis for the logo and stamps for the free coffee, as well as the branding and all printed materials (menus, stickers, packaging).

Step 5. Bar

✰ IDEA
Can you believe this bar counter was once a receptionist's desk? We can't either. We repainted it, added a pop of colour to the tabletop, and decorated its front with half-filled brightly coloured plastic cups.

Step 6. Decorative Bicycle

✰ IDEA
Knowing about our idea to create decor from a non-working bicycle, one of our clients gave us her non-working bicycle, which we repainted and decorated with flowers and lanterns.

Step 7. Lightning Design

✰ IDEA
We needed ample lighting for the entire space, including the display case, tables, and terrace. As we previously mentioned, the café was located in an unpopular area, and neighbouring businesses were closed, so our space was plunged into darkness in the evening.

We needed to illuminate not only the interior of the café but also the exterior, as well as the columns, walls, and trees (palm trees in our case).

For the interior decor, we created table lamps and pendant chandeliers with shades made from clear coffee cups.

Step 8. Thematic decorations and art
Dogs should be everywhere. Art and wall stickers, portrait paintings, photos, and dog-shaped door stoppers, produced under the interior design brand KYKY-TOY, were available for purchase right in the coffee shop.

All the door stoppers were sold out.

Step 9. Warm events
We thank our visitors and guests. We are delighted to have created a space for warm gatherings, lectures, master classes, business breakfasts, performances, and dance parties.

KPI, 2018

We created a working business: the art and event coffee shop became profitable within the first month, and the flipping investment (excluding coffee and professional equipment) was recouped in the third month.

When we applied for the UK Global Talent Visa, it was time to leave the country and pursue our art careers in London; So, after 6.5 months of operation, the existing business was sold and continued under new ownership.

Below are the operating income and profit figures for the period under our management, as well as the sale price of the completed business (under lease).

Operating
Income
from $5808 to $9599 / month

Monthly income
(data for 6.5 months of work)
Operating
Profit
from $2939 to $5961 / month

Monthly profit
(data for 6.5 months of work)
Ready Business
Sale Price
$32500

Business activity 'as it is',
with a rent contract of 854/month

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