After nearly three decades, the iconic campus café Coffee Buzz has closed its doors. As the UP community reflects on the end of an era, PDBY had the opportunity to interview Ms Nicolaou, the owner, and her son, Carl Nicolaou.
Coffee Buzz originally opened as House of Coffees in March 1996, but was soon rebranded to the beloved café that anchored the Student Centre for 29 years. Known as a popular study spot because of its large seating area, Coffee Buzz saw continued success because of its unique approach to business. At the heart of its success lay favourable prices and great service focused on students. Baristas knew their customers by name and the owners were directly involved in the day-to-day operations – an “old school” approach when you compare it to that of modern franchises. Furthermore, some of the staff began working there since its inception. “A few of our staff had not gone on retirement yet [when we closed],” Ms Nicolaou said. This allowed for a sense of community and laid the foundations for the enduring legacy of Coffee Buzz.
Coffee Buzz is no stranger to adversity, but the perseverance of its owners continues to inspire many. Unfortunately, in 2013, Mr Nicolaou passed away. Ms Nicolaou took over the business and ensured its prolonged success for another decade. Coffee Buzz was also not immune to the devastating effects of the global pandemic in 2020. “I ordered stock because I knew the whole sequence,” she explained, referring to the usual preparations she made for the new academic year. “And then Covid happened, and we closed, and we lost all that stock.” She continued, “The rent eventually, because they gave us grace for a few months, [still needed to be paid], but then it just carried on, you know, and then we sort of fell back on that because there was no income.” The result of a global lockdown and changing consumer behaviour led to further strain on the business. Students became drawn to the newer name brands that opened around campus, and after Covid, students spent more and more time doing school online. After the restrictions were lifted, the family reopened the café and operated for two more years, but things were never the same. “It just never got back to what it was before Covid,” Ms Nicolaou said. “It never got that traction.” By April 2025, they made the decision to close their doors permanently.
Ms Nicolaou extends her gratitude and appreciation to the entire UP community: students, lecturers, and staff. She notes that she is extremely grateful to the university itself, and that “nothing lasts forever, but that makes it, however long it was, more worth it”. Ms Nicolaou adds that this is, understandably, a very emotional time. The store’s roots were deeply personal to the family. “It was my mom and [dad] who opened the store in 1996,” said her son, Carl. “It was a family [business].” He recalls how he would help run the business over the weekend, and how, after school, he would cross the street and enjoy a cup of coffee with his friends. His sister and her friends would also regularly meet up at Coffee Buzz. “Everybody knew everybody”, they added. The staff had the regulars’ orders memorised. “I mean, the barista would see someone three heads behind, and he knew that he wanted a latte, and he’d already have it there, you know… so when that guy [got to the front], there’s your coffee. The staff were also amazing…” Ms Nicolaou believes that it was their passion for Coffee Buzz and their direct involvement in the business that drew such a loyal customer base.
A big aim of theirs was to create an environment where students could study in comfort. “It wasn’t just a place to get coffee – they all became very friendly.” Coffee Buzz was the preferred study spot on campus. “If five or six people came as a group and two people bought [something], I mean, that was fine,” she said. “They liked the atmosphere and studying there. It was never empty.”
Ms Nicolaou notes that they never worried about money. “We [were] here to make money, but that was not our priority.” Her husband would joke with her about this mindset, but the family always prioritised good service above all else.
After all their hard work, a well-deserved retirement awaits them. Ms Nicolaou says that she still feels emotional when walking past the now-empty shop. “If I was 20 years younger,” she said, “I would have tried to get in there… because I did not want it to end like that.” Reflecting on their impact, she said, “It is just, you know, a legacy that we have left now.”
Over the years, Coffee Buzz had received heartfelt letters from every corner of campus, underscoring its deep community ties. In December 2004, Karen Harris and Johan Bergh of the Historical Association of South Africa thanked the café, writing, “Everything was so professionally done and absolutely on time. Thank you also for giving us the best rates possible… We are really grateful to you for this invaluable support.” Mrs Wendy Hartman of the Marketing Department acknowledged a R100 grant by saying, “Your financial and moral support is… of great assistance in our endeavours… Your investment in education is greatly appreciated.” On 15 May 2007, Shanna Nienaber, Chairperson of CantaTuks, wrote, “The meals that you provided for our judges were thoroughly enjoyed by all… it truly helped us to make this year’s CantaTuks a memorable experience.” On 20 October 2011, Sandra Klopper, previous Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, said “The event was a huge success, in part due to your support.” The Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication thanked Coffee Buzz twice, “Your support to the project is highly appreciated,” and later, “The young people with severe communication disabilities really enjoyed the race… Thank you for being such excellent communication partners!” Student Health Services summed up their appreciation simply: “Without your contribution, it was impossible to do this event. Thanks a lot.” The 2014 leaders of TuksChess Godfrey Kgatle and Sibongile Maswanganye wrote, “Without your support, we would not have been able to attend the tournament… This is an experience the players will treasure for life.” Nonise Euthimion from the Unit for Development concluded a festive season note with, “Thank you for your support. Best wishes for the festive season.”
Coffee Buzz’s menu evolved in step with students’ tastes and budgets. Early 2000s flyers offered R4 filter coffees, R6 pies, R5 muffins, and R7 greek salads. By the late 2000s, tramazzinis, milkshakes, and freshly squeezed juices joined the line‑up with most items still being priced at under R7. After reopening in 2023, the café expanded to wraps, baguettes, specialty coffees, pizzas, and “the tastiest, sauciest chicken strips on campus”, maintaining affordability and variety.
Old PDBY articles capture Coffee Buzz’s role in creating a vibrant student life. A 2008 Jaco Jordaan guide deemed them “onverbeterlik” (unbeatable) for their “verkwikkende koppie boeretroos” (invigorating cup of coffee), while warning BA students of a possible addiction to their coffee. The “Buzz‑tannie mal oor studente” (“Buzz owner crazy about students”) profile quoted Vaso Nicolaou: “Ek raak so maklik geheg aan… asof hulle my eie kinders is.” (“I get attached so quickly… as if they are my own children.”) A 2011 PDBY fundraising piece noted that beads could be bought at “Piazza Foods, Campus Kiosk, and Coffee Buzz”, and a 2012 feature recalled “lazy afternoons spent eating cake from Coffee Buzz on the HSB grass”. Campus dining guides from 2019 repeatedly included Coffee Buzz among the Hatfield eateries, praising its friendly service and student‑friendly prices.
Coffee Buzz’s achievements were formally recognised from the very beginning. In 2000/2001, the Student Representative Council (SRC) awarded service certificates to Vaso and Chris Nicolaou “on behalf of the student community of the University of Pretoria”. Beyond the SRC honours, the café’s consistent award of best coffee in PDBY, its sponsorship of events like CantaTuks, Hospitality Association of South Africa (HASA) conferences, secretaries’ functions, Centre for Augmentative & Alternative Communication (CAAC) projects, and University Sports South Africa (USSA) chess tournaments attest to a legacy of service and unwavering support for every corner of campus life.
The impact of Coffee Buzz on UP is immeasurable. It has been a staple in the Student Centre for almost 30 years, rooted in community and excellent service. Coffee Buzz will be dearly missed, but its legacy will remain in many students’ hearts for years to come. Their unique approach to business serves as a reminder that, sometimes, the heart behind the cup matters most.
Jason Visser and Datis du Preez
