Mila Lisbon’s Wall of Mugs is More Than a Wall of Mugs
Whether you remember Mila’s when it was a deli or you know Mila Lisbon as the café-restaurant it is today, there is one small (well, kind of large) detail that has always been around, the wall of mugs. The beauty about the wall of mugs is that it is not just a wall of mugs but a story about Mila Lisbon’s customers.
What’s the story?
When Mila’s first opened its doors as a deli offering local produce in the Santos neighbourhood, we also served coffee to-go. In those early days, months and even year, we weren’t (yet) a café and could only provide coffee in single-use, take-away cups. As some of our customers became regulars, this ‘to-go’ cup just wasn’t working for them. Some customers started showing up with their own mugs. After witnessing this development, and with the help of our friend Dom, the idea of the wall of mugs came about.
Over the years, the wall of mugs has been a consistent piece of Mila’s history. Even with the significant makeover Mila Lisbon undertook at the beginning of this year, without a doubt the wall of mugs was staying.
The wall of mugs symbolises the power of the invisible, which is why the wall of mugs is ...
Gratitude
Mila Lisbon’s wall of mugs represents the incredible gratitude that we have toward our customers and their on-going support and contribution in making Mila Lisbon what it is today. We “listened” to our customers through their actions and responded by building a “support” they needed. Which is why, the wall of mugs is…
Communication
It is what we do, not what we say, that has more importance. Our customers wanted to use their own cups so we made sure to make this gesture more convenient. And convenience creates consistency, which is why the wall of mugs is…
Consistency
Mugs (and let’s not leave out the teacups) are a funny thing because often, without intention, we may find ourselves developing an attachment to our mug. Being drawn to the same mug is natural and creates an anchor of familiarity, which brings a sense of safety, belonging and comfort. With so much change in our lives, having something familiar and consistent is not only deeply sought but can also play a role in our wellbeing. The outcome of consistency is why the wall of mugs is …
Connection
Practices, rituals or less noticeable behaviours such as always sitting in the same chair when attending a class, curling up our legs onto a sofa at a friend’s house, and drinking our morning coffee in the same mug, are all manifestations of one of the most important outcomes we seek - connection.
Theories and studies have shown the role of objects in our lives. Look no further than the book The Meaning of Things: Domestic Symbols and the Self (1981) in which how “we use objects to express and relate to our self, others, and the larger world around us.”
Each mug is a unique connection between Mila Lisbon and our customers and the larger space around us, which is why the wall of mugs is …
Community
The wall of mugs was born from individual behaviours, and when brought together, became a representation of Mila Lisbon’s community.
We all like to belong somewhere, especially where we live. And the underlying existence of belonging is visibility, in other words, being seen. It is a great feeling when our local barista knows what coffee to make before we have to ask. What if you could also drink your favourite coffee out of your own mug? Why not join the community and enjoy your favourite drink in your mug (or teacup) waiting in the wall of mugs?
Simply bring in your cup and give it to a staff member when ordering your drink. When you’re done, hand it to our team and we will wash it and place it back on the shelf, ready for your next visit. And speaking of your next visit, keep an eye on your inbox. We are launching the first episode of our pop-up supper club series that will take place on Saturday, 3 December. The evening will be a contemporary take on Persian classics. If your taste buds have already said yes, jump ahead and reserve your spot.