Trait opened its first coffee shop in November 2017 in Comber, a small County Down town, and now has cafés across Belfast, a horsebox and a flagship in the city centre. The name means “a distinguishing quality or feature”, which is where the thumbprint logo comes from, and the letters stand for its values: trust, respect, approachability, innovation and teamwork. Sycamore wood runs through every shop, chosen from the start for a sense of natural, solid foundations. The wood and furniture come from local suppliers, among them Cardy Timber Yard and Premium Services in Ballynahinch, and the textiles from McNutt of Donegal.
The coffee comes from specialty roasters around the world, and Square Mile beans are on sale to take home in every Trait. The hot chocolate is from NearyNógs in Newry, the teas are Good & Proper and the matcha is ceremonial-grade powder from Jenki. Trait bakes all its own products, using seasonal local ingredients where possible. It set up its own craft bakery in Comber in 2022 to supply the shops and moved it to the flagship in 2025, and the counter carries viennoiseries and bakes such as a matcha croissant and a maple and pecan tart.
Several evenings a week the flagship becomes Trait Late, a wine bar with house-made breads, cheese platters from Mike’s Fancy Cheese, sharing boards, small plates and natural wines, for walk-ins or bookings. It also hosts one-off evening events, from coffee cuppings to bakery classes.
The retail beans are roasted by Square Mile in London.
Coffee on the shelf
- Square Mile Coffee Roasters roasts the retail beans sold in every Trait
Photograph: Trait