Coffee bean queen
Li Binbin's job is probably the envy of many people.
Every day, she walks over 10,000 steps around Shanghai's picturesque downtown plane tree area, centered around the iconic Wukang Building, visiting coffee shops that emit enticing aromas.
The 44-year-old is the Party secretary of the coffee industry branch in Xuhui district's Tianping subdistrict, home to one of the highest densities of coffee shops in the city.
In April 2024, the subdistrict launched an initiative to support the entrepreneurial dreams of returning overseas students and boost commercial coffee ventures. Li is responsible for liaising with 150 coffee shops spread across the 2.68-square-kilometer area, addressing their needs, and helping foster a vibrant coffee culture.
"I was originally a tea drinker, but I pushed myself to become a coffee expert to better connect with shop owners," said Li.
Before, the coffee shop owners had to navigate issues like power outages, water leaks, and equipment approvals on their own, dealing with various administrative departments. Now, the Party branch serves as a one-stop service center, efficiently resolving issues.
Yan Yafen, who runs BPC Coffee on Yongjia Road, said Li had helped her numerous times. During a typhoon last summer, for instance, her shop's sign was waterlogged. Li promptly arranged for repairs to keep the sign illuminated.
The Party branch's efforts have increased trust, encouraging more coffee shops to open in the area. Existing stores are expanding, and new ones are moving in. Li said the number of coffee shops before the Party branch's inception was 135. Now it has stayed at 150 for more than half a year.
While prioritizing political leadership and service cohesion, Li said she is also thinking of ideas to help the coffee shops attract more customers, turning "city walks" into "city shopping".
Ahead of the recent May Day holiday, the Party branch collaborated with the district's cultural and tourism bureau to partner with the influential restaurant review platform Dazhong Dianping. They launched a "spring coffee culture map" promoting three routes, which attracted over 100,000 page views.
This positive impact has led to thriving businesses giving back to the community."For instance, they took the initiative to fulfill small wishes of disadvantaged groups, buying new backpacks for children, and installing water heaters for the elderly in winter," Li said.
Inspired by Li's positive energy and reminded of her grandmother, a veteran Party member in her hometown in rural Hefei city, Anhui province, Chen Xiaohong, head chef at a cafe, decided to join the Party.
Chen, 42, said she used to independently organize charitable activities, like delivering mung bean soup to elderly neighbors in summer.
"With Li working here, we find more meaning in such activities. As members of society, we should actively participate in these small, heartwarming deeds, and I genuinely love this community," she said.
