Ola and Adam reckon they’ve cracked it. We step inside Reforme Studio to talk about burning muscles, beautiful spaces and why people keep coming back for more.
Why Open A Pilates Studio In Gdansk?
We loved Amsterdam’s mix of fitness, design and community. Back in Gdańsk, we wanted to create that same atmosphere, with quality in every detail.
MORE THAN JUST A GYM?
People arrive alone and leave with friends. Some even meet for coffee or breakfast afterwards. That’s what makes us proudest.
REFORME IN THREE WORDS?
Community. Quality. Soul. And maybe free parking!
Why The Boutique-Hotel Look?
Because atmosphere matters. Lighting, music, scent and warmth make people want to stay, not just train.
BIGGEST PILATES MYTH?
That you need to be fit or flexible to start. You don’t. That’s why we offer different levels.
WHAT SURPRISES BEGINNERS?
How challenging it is! Even gym regulars discover muscles they didn’t know existed.
Has Instagram Changed Pilates?
It’s made Pilates fashionable, but the benefits are real. You don’t need perfect hair or matching outfits. Just show up.
Finally, What Would You Say To someone who is thinking of trying Pilates but still needs convincing?
Just try one class. No fitness, flexibility or experience needed. Start where you are — and you might discover why Pilates is so addictive!
You don’t have to arrive flexible, fashionable or fearless. Apparently, arriving is the hard part.
Sopot isn’t exactly short of pretty places, but Palotna is doing something a little different. Hidden inside a beautiful 19th-century building, it’s part photography studio, part creative playground and part meeting place for people with interesting ideas. We caught up with Katia, the woman behind it all, to talk unexpected friendships, flamenco nights, unusual workshops and why running a beautiful space sometimes means carrying bricks in a dress. Oh, and apparently, she’s still waiting for two guests to fall in love and get married.
What’s the secret to making a space feel special rather than just beautiful?
Freedom. Beautiful interiors catch your eye, but feelings stay with you. Our 19th-century building has incredible character, yet it’s the people who bring it alive. I want visitors to leave inspired, connected or simply happy.
Sopot is famous for beaches and nightlife. Where does Palotna fit in?
Sopot has many personalities! You can spend the afternoon on the beach and the evening at an intimate dinner or creative workshop. Our guests love dressing up for events, too. Sometimes everyone deserves to feel like the main character!
What’s the most unexpected thing that’s happened at Palotna?
We’ve danced flamenco, tasted olive oil from wine glasses and held silent tea gatherings. For our birthday, we even made a 15-kilogram cake resembling real soil! But the most meaningful moments are hearing how our events have changed someone’s life.
Before Palotna, who was Katia?
Was creating your own space always the dream?
I’ve always loved creating environments where people can flourish. From volunteering with children to working in HR in IT, that idea followed me everywhere. Palotna simply gave it a physical home, filled with sunlight, flowers and creativity.
Palotna isn’t simply a photography studio. What was your original vision?
I wanted somewhere people could meet, create and inspire each other without being confined to one role. Sopot has so many different personalities, and I wanted Palotna to reflect that same freedom.
Tell us about the new Immersive Garden. Where did the idea come from?
It began with memories of an apple orchard outside my home in Belarus. I realised physical gardens can disappear, but the gardens inside us remain. Graphic and set designer Ekaterina Burlak, bonatical designer Ikebanistka Anka Floral and I brought that philosophy to life for Palotna’s first birthday.
Have any unexpected friendships started at Palotna?
Absolutely! People meet at our events, become friends, go on walks or start creative projects together. You can organise an event, but you can’t organise chemistry. Honestly, all that’s left is for us to get someone married! (Laughs.)
If you could give anyone the keys to Palotna for one night, who gets them?
A complete stranger! No rules, no expectations. I’d return the next morning to discover what happened. Maybe they’d transform the studio or throw the party of their lives. I love the unknown.
If someone made a film about your life, what would surprise the audience most?
That I’m still searching. I have more ideas than time — books to write, projects to create and dreams of expanding Palotna. My mind is constantly building something new. I don’t have all the answers, but I love that my story is still unfolding.
After chatting with Katia, you realise Palotna isn’t really about beautiful interiors. It’s about the people, the unexpected friendships and the wonderfully strange things that happen when creativity takes over. She’s already hosted flamenco nights, silent tea parties and a cake that looked like dirt. Now she’s hoping someone finds love there. And if Palotna ever hosts its first wedding, we’re betting the cake will be the least normal thing about it.
Two lawyers, two best friends and one shared obsession with fashion. Meet the Martas behind POP concept store in Gdańsk, bringing independent Polish designers together under one roof
Two lawyers, one boutique. Did you ever see this coming?
MJ: We met studying law in Toruń. Fashion was always my passion, but never my career plan. MM: We actually talked about becoming wedding planners. POP wasn’t even on the radar!
What made you abandon your legal careers?
MM: After our second children, we realised we could return to comfortable jobs take a risk. MJ: We decided to create the kind of store we’d love to shop in ourselves — a place dedicated to Polish brands, so we wouldn’t have to travel to Warsaw or rely on online shopping. That’s how POP was born.
Who’s the bigger control freak?
MJ: Probably a tie! MM: We each have our moments, but we balance each other out.
Three pieces readers should check out?
MJ & MM: Undress Code bodysuits for versatility, Lebrand bandanas for effortless personality and MAAR jewellery for original, statement-making designs.
What earns a Polish brand space at POP?
MM: Quality, distinctive design and responsible production. MJ: We disagree about individual pieces, never our values.
Why visit POP when everything’s online?
MJ: You can touch fabrics, try things on and discover carefully selected Polish designers without endless scrolling. MM: And shopping should be social, welcoming and personal.
How do you stop business arguments ruining your friendship?
MJ: We know disagreements aren’t personal. We’re working towards the same goal. MM: Some of our best ideas come from arguments. Even choosing display-table colours can become ridiculous!
Two Martas, two strong personalities. What drives you absolutely crazy about each other?
MJ: Marta M is such a perfectionist that sometimes she struggles to delegate. And I wish she’d just tell me what’s on her mind instead of expecting me to guess! MM: Marta J likes things done her way. I’ll arrange a display, she’ll change it, and we’ll rearrange everything for days! But her attention to detail has saved us more than once.
And will you still be friends tomorrow?
MM: We might someday stop running a business together. But stop being friends? Absolutely not an option.
Two Martas, two strong personalities and one shared love of fashion. They’ve survived career changes, business headaches and countless arguments over shop displays. And somehow, they’re still best friends. Turns out, the only thing these former lawyers can’t settle is who’s the bigger control freak. Case closed.
Matcha is everywhere these days, but how much do we actually know about the green stuff we’re drinking? We dropped by MOYA Matcha on Piwna Street in Gdańsk to meet Dawid, the café manager, and Dianna, the Gdańsk brand manager. We asked them a few questions about Japanese tea culture, why some people reckon matcha tastes like grass, what we’re all getting wrong and whether this green obsession is here to stay. Turns out, there’s a lot more to matcha than a pretty Instagram drink.
Ten years ago, most people in Poland barely knew what matcha was. Now it’s everywhere. Did you ever imagine the green powder would become this cool?
Honestly, I don’t think anyone could have predicted how quickly matcha would move from something relatively niche to a full-blown part of café culture in Poland. When MOYA started 11 years ago, matcha was still something people needed explained to them. Today you see it everywhere — in cafés, restaurants, bakeries, desserts and even corner stores. What’s exciting is that the conversation is moving beyond “matcha is trendy”. People are more interested in where the tea comes from, different cultivars, harvests and flavour profiles. We work with family farms in Uji and Kagoshima, and want people to discover that there’s a whole culture, craft and history behind it.
Be ruthless: what’s the biggest crime people commit against matcha?
Probably treating matcha purely as a flavour. We love experimenting — our menu is full of it — but the matcha should still be able to speak for itself. The biggest crimes are using boiling water, over-sweetening it, or adding so many other ingredients that you can’t taste the tea anymore. And please — don’t leave your matcha sitting around for half an hour. Drink it while it’s fresh. It deserves better.
Someone tells you: “I tried matcha once. It tasted like grass. I hate it.” What do you tell them?
You probably just haven’t found your matcha yet or you tried a low-grade one. Matcha can taste grassy, but it can also be creamy, sweet, nutty, umami-rich or much more delicate depending on the cultivar, origin, harvest and preparation. We don’t want matcha to feel intimidating — we can start with an iced drink or latte, and later introduce usucha or different cultivars. If you still don’t like it? No problem — we just want you to try a really good one.
Moya sits between Japanese tradition and modern European café culture. What’s one part of Japanese tea culture you absolutely refuse to mess with?
The respect for the tea itself. We can play with formats, flavours and presentation, but there has to be respect for the tea’s origin, cultivar, harvest and the way it’s prepared. Matcha isn’t just a green powder that looks good in a cup. We want MOYA to be contemporary and accessible, but never disconnected from the craft behind Japanese tea. Tradition gives us the foundation, curiosity gives us room to play.
Someone gives you €1 million, but you have to create a matcha product so ridiculous that Japan might ban you from entering the country. What are you making?
A matcha perfume! An actual luxury fragrance that smells like freshly whisked matcha. Limited edition, hand-crafted bottles, Japanese tea ceremony-inspired packaging — the whole thing. Completely unnecessary, but I suspect people would buy it!
Photos by Dianna Wojciechowska
Looking at the menu right now: what’s the order you wish more people would take a chance on instead of automatically going for the obvious matcha latte?
I’d love more people to try usucha — our blend of three first-harvest cultivars. It gives a completely different experience from a flavoured latte and helps you understand why the quality matters. Of course, our seasonal drinks and desserts are also worth exploring!
What’s the most surprising reaction you’ve had from a first-time matcha drinker?
People are often surprised by how smooth and naturally sweet matcha can be. Many expect it to be bitter or intense, but with a good quality matcha, the flavour can be creamy, soft and really pleasant. We also get a lot of people who are surprised by how good they feel after drinking it — more focused and energised, without the crash you can get from coffee.
Do you have a personal favourite on the menu right now?
And why?
It’s hard to choose, but I always come back to usucha. It’s the purest expression of the tea — simple, honest and full of flavour. I also love our seasonal drinks because they let us be creative and show how versatile matcha can be. At the moment, the Lavender Matcha is a big favourite — it’s a fun, modern take that still lets the matcha shine.
Matcha is often linked to health, focus and a calmer mind. How important is that side of the story for you?
It’s definitely part of the appeal, but for us matcha is about much more than health benefits. We want people to enjoy it for the flavour, the experience and the culture behind it. The focus and natural energy are a great bonus, but at the end of the day, matcha should also just taste amazing and bring people together.
What’s next for MOYA in Gdańsk?
Any plans or dreams you can share with us?
We’d love to keep growing the community here — more workshops, special events and collaborations with local creatives. Gdańsk has such an inspiring energy, and we want MOYA to be a place where people not only come for a drink, but also to connect, learn and experience Japanese tea culture in a modern way. There are always new ideas in the pipeline!
Moya Matcha Gdańsk, Piwna 59
Maybe the best way to understand matcha is to stop treating it as a trend and taste the tea itself.
No mirrors. No egos. No fitness bullshit. We caught up with Paweł Pędrakowski and Michał Andryszczyk, the guys behind Gdańsk’s FitYard, to talk Olympic pressure, gym anxiety, Instagram fakery and why getting healthy beats looking good naked.
PAWEŁ, YOU WEREN’T EXACTLY BORN IN A GYM. WERE YOU?
Not even close. I worked in a shipyard and later as a glazier. I weighed 130 kilos, ate badly and avoided exercise. Fitness was the last thing I imagined doing. FitYard completely changed my life. It’s more than a gym or a business — it’s been part of my own transformation, and I want it to be a place where other people can find their own way, whatever their starting point may be.
WHAT MAKES FITYARD DIFFERENT FROM THE BIG CHAINS?
We’re not interested in being the biggest. People know each other here. You recognise familiar faces, chat between sets and gradually become part of the community. It’s a smaller, more personal space where people feel comfortable. They come back because they enjoy it, not because they have to.
HAS THE FITNESS INDUSTRY BECOME BETTER AT SELLING INSECURITY THAN HEALTH?
To some extent, absolutely. You’re told you’re not lean enough, not muscular enough, then sold the solution. I’d rather see someone at 50 feeling healthy and energetic than someone with a perfect body training out of self-hatred. Fitness should be about adding something to your life, not convincing you that you’re not good enough as you are.
IMAGINE SOMEONE WALKS IN AT 50 AND IS TERRIFIED. WHAT HAPPENS?
I’ve seen it many times. From the moment they walk through the door, we make them feel welcome. Nobody is going to judge them here. They don’t have to be the strongest or most experienced. Everyone starts somewhere, and we all support each other. Once they realise how friendly and relaxed the atmosphere is, they usually come back — and many are still training with us today.
MICHAŁ, YOU’VE WORKED WITH OLYMPIC ATHLETES. BIGGEST LESSON?
Consistency beats motivation. Champions do the basics exceptionally well, day after day. But knowing when to rest is just as important. Training is like driving — sometimes you accelerate, sometimes you brake. The point is reaching your destination. At the Olympic qualification in Debrecen, four years of preparation came down to one shot.
HOW MUCH OF INSTAGRAM FITNESS IS BULLSHIT?
People confuse appearance with fitness. Lighting, posing, editing and sometimes performance-enhancing drugs create unrealistic expectations. Real progress takes months or years. Looking incredible doesn’t automatically mean you’re healthy or athletic.
WHAT CAN PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO AT FITYARD?
Train independently, work with personal trainers or see our physiotherapists. We’re also introducing small group classes in November. We’re open 6AM–10PM every day, with app-based entry when reception isn’t staffed.
LAST ONE. WHO’S WORSE AT PRACTISING WHAT YOU PREACH?
Michał: Paweł spends his days convincing people to train. The one person he struggles to convince is himself! Paweł: Fair enough. But Michał sometimes forgets things, and I take forever making decisions. We’re not perfect. That’s probably why we work well together.
After talking to Paweł and Michał, it’s refreshing to find two guys who care more about getting people moving than getting them ripped for Instagram. One transformed his own life, the other helped athletes reach the Olympics, and somehow they’ve ended up sharing the same philosophy. No egos, no judgement, no six-pack required. And apparently, even Paweł needs convincing to get his arse to the gym sometimes.
SHE SWAPPED CORPORATE LIFE IN LUXEMBOURG FOR WINE AND A LITTLE CHAOS IN WRZESZCZ. WE MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND WINOŚĆ TO TALK BIG RISKS, WORKING WITH HER HUSBAND AND WHY GOOD WINE NEEDS NO SPECIAL OCCASION.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST BULLSHIT MYTH ABOUT WINE?
That good wine needs a special occasion! Why save your favourite bottle for a birthday? Open something lovely on an ordinary Tuesday. Life’s too short.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
YOU LEFT LUXEMBOURG’S CORPORATE WORLD TO OPEN WINOŚĆ. MADNESS OR MASTERPLAN?
A romantic escape mixed with a fairly irrational decision! My dad thought I’d gone completely mad. Sometimes you just have to stop planning and take the risk.
WORKING WITH YOUR HUSBAND. WHO’S THE BOSS?
Me! I run Winość, but the kitchen belongs to Yuri. If a dish takes longer, it takes longer. We’ve learned to trust each other, otherwise we’d never survive dinner together!
WHAT DO YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT WINE?
Perfect! You don’t need knowledge to enjoy wine. Taste it, discover what you like and stop pretending it’s a competition. Forget fancy grape names. Would you order another glass?
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
WHAT’S SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WINOŚĆ?
Our regulars. We know their names, favourite wines and sometimes their weekly routines. New employees are always amazed by how lovely our guests are.
ONE DISH, ONE WINE. GO! Yuri’s grilled cuttlefish with chorizo and sun-dried tomatoes, paired with white Rioja. The smoky flavours and rounded wine work beautifully together.
WHAT WOULD YOU FIGHT TO PRESERVE IN WRZESZCZ?
The little old shops! Across the street is a wonderful traditional pastry shop where I buy egg sandwiches. We recently lost a brilliant hardware shop. These places give neighbourhoods their soul.
WHAT HAS WINE TAUGHT YOU ABOUT PEOPLE?
People often become nicer after a glass! They arrive stressed, then relax, smile and start talking. Sometimes all we need is good food, wine and unhurried conversation.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
FINAL ONE. WHEN DID YOU REALISE WINOŚĆ WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL?
When regulars started bringing their parents, friends and celebrating birthdays here. When I thank them, they simply say, “Of course.” That’s when I know Winość has become their place.
By the end of our chat, it was easy to see why Alicja’s regulars keep coming back, often bringing friends and family with them. There’s something wonderfully unpretentious about her approach to wine, food and life in Wrzeszcz. And she’s right about one thing: why wait for a special occasion to open a good bottle? Although after a few glasses at Winość, remembering what day it is might become the bigger challenge.
Sopot after dark. A few drinks, questionable decisions and stories nobody wants repeated the next morning. Tucked away from the usual tourist madness is SPOT, a cocktail bar run by Michał, a former club promoter and barber who’s heard enough drunken confessions to write a bestseller. We tracked him down to talk cocktails, Sopot nightlife, customers behaving badly and why owning a bar means you’re basically at a party every night. Unfortunately, you’re also the one cleaning up afterwards.
SPOT is hidden away in Sopot. Genius, marketing or pure accident?
Pure accident! But maybe that’s what makes it special. Finding us isn’t easy, but once you do, you’ll remember the way back.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
How did you end up owning a cocktail bar?
I started as a club promoter. Terrible fit! Then I worked my way behind the bar and fell in love with bartending. When the chance to open SPOT came along, I grabbed it.
Has Sopot nightlife lost its soul?
It’s changed enormously in my nine years here. But there’s still an alternative to the tourist madness. That’s us! Fair prices, a great crew, karaoke and darts coming soon.
Come on, what’s the wildest thing you’ve witnessed?
Hundreds of stories. Unfortunately, what happens at SPOT stays at SPOT. Sorry!
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Are bartenders really unpaid psychologists?
Absolutely! You need serious mental resilience. Some confessions are so outrageous I wish people had kept them to themselves.
What’s with the retro, slightly underground décor?
I grew up in the countryside loving nature. I made or modified much of the interior myself, with help from friends. There’s a lot of me in these walls.
Who’s the biggest nightmare customer?
Honestly, anyone can cause trouble
once alcohol gets involved!
Three drinks we absolutely must try?
Our signature Kiwi Star and Pineapple Kiss. And a classic Long Island Iced Tea. Two of those and your evening is definitely underway!
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Have cocktails become ridiculously pretentious?
I’ve always believed beauty lies in simplicity. Give me a modest, clever garnish over a ridiculous fruit salad balanced on a glass.
What changes between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m.?
Alcohol can completely transform people. But I think everyone already knows that!
Do you still enjoy partying on your nights off?
I used to be the first at the bar! Now I own one, my life has changed completely. Free time means improving SPOT or fixing whatever broke over the weekend. I’m already at a party every night!
What’s guaranteed to annoy you?
Guests bringing their own alcohol. Seriously? It’s disrespectful. You wouldn’t bring your own steak to a restaurant.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
One rule for Sopot nightlife?
Have fun together without unnecessary fights. Enjoy yourselves, behave like civilised human beings. Simple!
And what’s the secret behind Michał?
Determination and stubbornness. Once I decide to do something, I don’t give up easily. That’s probably why SPOT exists. I never imagined I’d end up running my own place, but here we are. Sometimes the best decisions are the ones you don’t overthink.
Michał has spent nine years watching Sopot after dark, and somehow he’s still smiling. Behind the cocktails, cheeky stories and occasional drunken idiot is a bloke who’s built his own little corner of the city’s nightlife. We left with one burning question: what exactly has he witnessed behind that bar? He wouldn’t tell us. Which probably means half of Sopot should be very, very grateful.
Too old. Too tired. Too many wrinkles. Not enough Botox. Apparently, there’s always something wrong with your face these days. But at Gdańsk’s Aesthetic Beauty Concept, they’re not buying it. We met the woman behind the clinic, Gabriela Szynaka who studied psychology, isn’t afraid to turn clients away and reckons the beauty industry needs to stop making women feel like walking renovation projects. We talked Instagram pressure, ageing and why looking in the mirror shouldn’t feel like a bloody performance review.
YOU STUDIED PSYCHOLOGY. ARE YOU REALLY TREATING MINDS, NOT FACES?
Often, yes. Women arrive carrying stress, exhaustion and pressure, not just skin concerns. Before asking what treatment they want, we ask what brought them here.
WHICH BEAUTY STANDARD HAVE YOU STOPPED BELIEVING IN?
That women must look younger. I want someone to look in the mirror and say, “That’s still me.”
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
HAS THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY BECOME OBSESSED WITH FIXING PEOPLE?
Absolutely. Too often, women are convinced they’re problems needing solutions. I refuse to build relationships on fear.
WHAT IF INSTAGRAM DISAPPEARED TOMORROW?
Women might finally breathe! Popular treatments aren’t necessarily the right treatments.
WHAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR CLINIC’S PHILOSOPHY?
Surprisingly, no treatment at all. It’s the consultation. Understanding comes first, technology second.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
HAVE YOU EVER REFUSED A CLIENT?
Many times. Sometimes the most responsible thing you can say is, “Not today.” Trust matters more than sales.
WHAT ARE WOMEN REALLY ASKING FOR WHEN THEY SAY THEY WANT TO LOOK YOUNGER?
Usually, they want to look less tired, feel energised and recognise themselves again.
WHAT HAS THIS BUSINESS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT WOMEN?
They’re more exhausted by being judged than by ageing. Too old, too young, too natural, not natural enough. The expectations never end.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
IF BEAUTY HAD NO MIRROR, HOW WOULD WE RECOGNISE IT?
Through someone’s smile, their calmness and the confidence to stop hiding.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: PEOPLE THINK BEAUTY IS… Looking younger. But real beauty is freedom. Freedom from fear, judgement and the belief that you’re never enough.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
After our chat, one thing was clear: this is a woman who’d rather tell you the truth than sell you a new face. And after all that talk about ageing naturally and ignoring beauty standards, I somehow ended up having a little tweak myself. Purely for journalistic research, obviously. Did I leave looking ten years younger? Probably not. But I did leave wondering why I hadn’t done it sooner.
Sometimes the best discoveries happen completely by accident. Wandering through Gdańsk’s Old Town, we stumbled upon Elegant and Maria.
WHO ARE YOU OUTSIDE THE BARBERSHOP?
A wife, a mum to a little girl, and an ordinary woman with dreams, problems and everyday joys.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
WHY GDAŃSK?
Opening a barbershop was my dream. We planned to do it in Ukraine, but war changed everything. We visited my brother Misza in Gdańsk and decided to build our new life here.
CRAZIEST CLIENT CONFESSION?
What happens in the barber’s chair stays there!
BIGGEST HAIR CRIME?
Neglected hair and beards. Sometimes I want to stop strangers and invite them in!
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
BAD HAIRCUT REQUEST?
I’ll tell the truth and suggest something better.
CAN A HAIRCUT CHANGE SOMEONE?
Absolutely. Confidence, mood, even the whole day can change.
ANYONE YOU’D LOVE TO CUT?
Someone alive! I’m terrified an elderly client might die in my chair!
WHAT’S TRENDING?
The mullet is back!
WHAT’S THE DAMAGE?
Hair and beard combo: 130 zł with shaver, 150 zł with straight razor. SPA treatments are available too.
EVER HAD SOMEONE FALL ASLEEP?
Yes! It’s the ultimate compliment. They trust me enough to relax.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
WHY MORE FEMALE BARBERS?
Because women appreciate well- groomed men!
FINAL WORD?
Come support our team. We’re not just cutting hair. We’re giving men a little escape from everyday life.
Barber and met Maria. Within minutes, her infectious smile, cheeky humour and down-to- earth personality had won us over. Some people just have that something. We liked her so much that featuring her in the launch edition of 3City Daily wasn’t even up for debate. Maria, you’ve made the cut!
In Gdańsk’s historic Stocznia district, where industrial history meets a new generation of creative spaces, Nurt is doing something refreshingly simple: making people feel good. No coffee snobbery, no unnecessary fuss, just excellent coffee, seriously good cheesecake and someone quietly obsessing over every little detail. We caught up with Albert and his team behind Nurt to discover why the smallest things often make the biggest difference.
What Was The Original Idea Behind NURT?
The atmosphere. I wanted somewhere I’d enjoy visiting myself. No pretension, just quality and attention to detail. Somewhere people could slow down.
WHY STOCZNIA?
It has history, energy and character. It’s still evolving, and I wanted Nurt to become part of that story.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Why Are Simple Sandwiches So Hard to perfect?
Because there’s nowhere to hide. Every ingredient matters. Sometimes a few grams of sauce make all the difference.
WHAT SHOULD FIRST-TIMERS ORDER?
Coffee and cheesecake. Outstanding coffee and incredible cheesecake!
SO SANDWICHES AREN’T THE STAR?
Actually, coffee is our flagship product.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevPhoto by Adalat Naghiyev
Have You Ever Misjudged A Menu item?
Absolutely. I’ve been convinced certain sandwiches would be hits, only for customers to ignore them. Sometimes an experiment becomes everyone’s favourite.
WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE BACK?
Some come for breakfast, others to work or meet friends. But the biggest compliment is when someone starts calling Nurt their place.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST OBSESSION?
Details. Lighting, music, table placement, even how something lands on the counter. Ideally, nobody notices.
HARDEST LESSON?
Putting ego aside. Sometimes an idea you’ve worked hard on simply doesn’t work.
WHAT DO PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT YOU?
They assume I’m always calm and in control. There’s plenty of uncertainty behind the scenes.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD DAY?
Not selling everything. It’s seeing the team work well together and guests leave happy.
AND WHAT SHOULD REGULARS SAY ABOUT NURT?
“That place just makes me feel good.” Before mentioning the coffee or food. That’s exactly what I wanted to create.
Photo by Adalat Naghiyev
Stocznia keeps changing, and Nurt is one small part of that transformation. Behind the calm atmosphere are the usual headaches, second guesses and ideas that don’t always work out. But there’s something very Gdańsk about building a place your own way and letting the neighbourhood decide what it becomes. And judging by the regulars, Nurt is slowly becoming part of the furniture.
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Some people follow the rules. Others make their own. Gaweł Czajka has never seemed particularly interested in playing it safe. We sat down with the man behind the attitude to talk about life, ambition, the decisions that shaped him and what happens when you stop caring about other people's expectations. No polished PR answers. Just Gaweł, in his own words.
