Recently, I’ve been coming across content of a trendy café with a corner where you can listen to vinyl records.
While I’m not audiophile, I always appreciate a new café experience, which led me to look into this particular café. I soon found out that it’s called People’s Park Café, and that the listening corner was actually a collaboration with homegrown brand GUNG Jewelry.
Although People’s Park Cafe like a simple neighbourhood café at first, there’s actually more to the story than meets the eye.
Meet the person behind People’s Park
Thomas Tok is the founder of People’s Park Café.
Hailing from Batu Pahat, Johor, he actually holds a Bachelor’s computer graphic degree from Whanganui School of design in New Zealand, where he spent two years as a motion designer.
Eventually, he returned to Malaysia, diving headfirst into the 3D and motion graphics world. He remained in this industry for around seven years.
“While I loved the creativity of the work, the relentless deadlines—nights without sleep and constant pressure—started taking a toll,” he opened up. “One day, I told myself, enough. It’s time for something new.”
That something new turned out to be coffee and food—two things he discovered his love for.
At that point, he had zero experience in the F&B world, but decided to take a leap of faith by joining The Good Batch in PJ Uptown.
“It was my first step into this entirely new universe,” he explained. “I wanted to learn everything I could, and soon, I moved to The Red Beanbag at Publika, where I trained under the legendary Jason Loo, three-time Malaysian Barista Champion.”
Jason became Thomas’ mentor, teaching him not just the art of coffee, but the craft of creating an unforgettable café experience.
“I was even part of his first venture, Yellow Brick Road Café, which was an incredible learning experience,” he added.
So, then, how did he go from being part of that venture to starting his very own?
Getting a taste of entrepreneurship
“Before the pandemic, I received an exciting opportunity from Forefront International’s CEO, Darien Ma, to spearhead the setup and operations of three F&B outlets under the company.”
“The three outlets are Foremula, Forebidden, Therefore,” he shared. “It was a thrilling challenge that pushed me to grow both as a professional and as a leader.”
However, when the MCO hit, everything changed.
The pandemic disrupted the entire F&B industry, forcing businesses to shut down and adapt to unprecedented uncertainties. Like many others, Thomas faced tough decisions about the future.
“Those challenges became a turning point for me—a chance to step back, reassess my goals, and chart a new path. It was then that I decided to start fresh and pursue something truly my own,” he said.
Once again, Thomas decided to embark on a new chapter. As he was leaving the company, he took the time to say goodbye to his most supportive customers who supported him through thick and thin.
Among them was a long-time patron, Mr. Chiu. To Thomas’ surprise, he expressed a keen interest in investing in his next venture. Around the same time, Thomas’ brother-in-law LK also stepped forward with his support.
“With their encouragement and investment, I found the strength and resources to pursue my vision,” he said. “Their belief in me was a turning point, fuelling my determination to create something extraordinary—a café where people could gather, connect, and enjoy something truly special.”
And that café would aptly be named People’s Park Café.
A change in plans
The initial ideas first took root in March 2022.
Thomas’ concept was simple but moving: Everything originates from people.
“I dreamt of creating a space where people could gather, enjoy amazing food, and share wonderful moments together,” he said. “I envisioned a cosy, welcoming café that fused all-day breakfasts with Malaysian flavours, surrounded by a peaceful park vibe.”
However, the search for the perfect location became an adventure—six months of exploring, but nothing felt right.
Then, an unexpected twist happened.
While having lunch in a food court in Damansara Jaya, Thomas realised something. The government food court he was dining in was clean, vibrant, and had a mix of friendly, local vendors. He thought to himself, “Why not bring specialty coffee here? No one’s doing this!”
That realisation culminated in the establishment of Oddday Coffee Stand, which Thomas touts as the first specialty coffee stall in a hawker centre locally.
“I even had to pitch the concept to government officials, which was both nerve-wracking and exciting,” he said about the experience. “Three months later, Oddday was born, and the response was incredible.”
Finally realising People’s Park
While running Oddday, Thomas finally came across the perfect location to start People’s Park Cafe.
Fortuitously, he was given the opportunity to secure a site beside a park, perfectly aligning with his dream concept for People’s Park Café.
So, after over a year since the ideation, People’s Park Café opened its doors on May 5, 2023.
“The journey wasn’t without its challenges,” the founder. “Due to kitchen delays, we started small, serving just pastries and coffee. But the excitement was palpable as we introduced our menu, blending Malaysian flavours with a modern twist.”
Of course, the café is not just based on the vibes he envisioned. It seeks to offers good grub, too, with highlights from their menu being Hummus and Grilled Chicken, Salmon Chazuke, and their signature Burnt Cheesecake.
The future of people
In this post-pandemic climate, the F&B industry is tougher than ever. Competition is fierce, and new international brands are entering the scene. Finding skillful and willing talent continues to be a challenge for many dining entrepreneurs.
Yet, Thomas believes every obstacle is an opportunity to grow. To him, it’s all about maintaining quality, connecting with customers, and building a strong presence through social media to share their story.
“People’s Park Café is still young, and every day brings new lessons and opportunities,” he said. “With the unwavering support of my wife, my investor, and my amazing team, I’m excited to shape the future of People’s Park Café—one idea, one customer, and one experience at a time.”
- Learn more about People’s Park Café here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about F&B businesses here.
Featured Image Credit: People’s Park Café
