logo
Arada brews up new experience as ‘Reformatory Lab' lands in UAE

Arada brews up new experience as ‘Reformatory Lab' lands in UAE

Sharjah 2420-03-2025

The Reformatory Lab was founded by fourth-generation Colombian coffee farmer and comic book fan Simon Jaramillo, who made his dream to open
the 'Bat Cave' of coffee shops come true in an old garage in Sydney, Australia. The first Reformatory Lab in the Surry Hills district allowed local coffee fans to experience Simon's unparalleled brewing methods and enjoy the very best crop-to-cup coffee.
Now coming to Dubai for the first time,
The Reformatory Lab's launch outlet has now opened at Arada's W Residences at Dubai Harbour sales center, which is located close to the Dubai Harbour Yacht Club.
Arada is currently working to identify further locations in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in the medium term, with the aim to open 10 outlets over the next three years, alongside a central roastery in Dubai.
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said: '
The Reformatory Lab answers the need for an elevated coffee experience here in the UAE and is designed to give our customers an experience that is always out of the ordinary. Building on the brand's success in Australia, our goal is to make The Reformatory Lab the go-to location for coffee lovers locally, adding new venues to all of the major cities of the UAE before expanding internationally.'
Simon Jaramillo, General Manager of The Reformatory Lab, said: '
With unexpected flavours, unique origins and an amazing atmosphere, The Reformatory Lab aims to revolutionise the coffee scene here in the UAE and show how – in a world of mediocrity – the simple pleasure of a stellar cup can direct everyone's day towards greatness.
We're determined to fight against subpar tastes and aromas, embracing the spirit of exceptional coffee and committing to our ongoing exploration into new flavours and experiences.'
With coffees from Colombia, India, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Panama, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, El Salvador, Java and Brazil, The Reformatory Lab's blends are highly graded and combine five different processes. Customers might taste fruit flavours such as blueberries and pineapple, as well as delicate sweet notes of mixed nuts, macadamia, and salted caramel.
The Reformatory Lab's expertise extends beyond coffee with customers able to look forward to a daily selection of baked treats and snacks, all made with the same precision and attention to detail typical of the finest dining restaurants. Furthermore, the addition of the central roastery will allow The Reformatory Lab to provide bespoke blends to businesses both in the UAE and regionally.
The arrival of The Reformatory Lab adds to Arada's existing portfolio of complementary brands, which includes fast-growing fitness operators Wellfit, FitnGlam, FITCODE and The Platform Studios; healthy F&B concepts Boost Juice and Hungry Wolves, popular food truck destination Zad and many more.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Where to watch Eid Al Adha 2025 fireworks in the UAE
Where to watch Eid Al Adha 2025 fireworks in the UAE

The National

time4 days ago

  • The National

Where to watch Eid Al Adha 2025 fireworks in the UAE

Both private and public sector workers in the UAE have been granted a long weekend for Eid Al Adha, with the public holiday starting on Thursday, June 5. The religious festival officially begins on Friday, June 6 and runs until Sunday, June 8. Fewer venues than usual have announced plans to put on a fireworks display to mark Eid Al Adha this year, but some places will still be lighting up the sky and putting on a show. Fireworks in Abu Dhabi Yas Bay Waterfront Yas Bay Waterfront will host fireworks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting at 9pm. It is free of charge, but a more comfortable viewing experience can be secured by booking a table at a surrounding restaurant like Daikan, Bua Thai Cafe, Cafe Del Mar Abu Dhabi, Barbossa or Paradiso. Fireworks in Dubai Riverland Dubai Riverland, located within the Dubai Parks and Resorts complex, is celebrating with daily laser shows at 7.30pm and 8.30pm, and adds a fireworks display at 9.30pm. Park entry costs will apply. Fireworks in Sharjah Developer Arada has put together a series of celebrations at its Sharjah communities Aljada, Masaar and Nasma Residences, including fireworks. They will take place at 8pm on Friday, lighting up the skies above Aljada, while family-friendly celebrations will run from 6pm to 10pm daily across all three days of the Eid holiday. No fireworks A number of popular locations have confirmed to The National that there will be no fireworks for Eid Al Adha due to the hot weather. These include Dubai locations such as The Beach in JBR and Bluewaters Island. The adventure-focused Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi has also said it will not host displays this Eid.

What D&AD's first creator content jury reveals
What D&AD's first creator content jury reveals

Campaign ME

time5 days ago

  • Campaign ME

What D&AD's first creator content jury reveals

This year, D&AD introduced its first-ever Creator Content category – spotlighting work where creators weren't just amplifiers, but active cultural collaborators. It felt timely. It felt necessary. And it felt personal. I had the privilege of serving on this inaugural jury as the only representative from the region. As we judged more than 140 entries, one thing became clear: the word 'creator' has evolved. The best work didn't just feature creators – it was shaped by them. From meme accounts with cult followings to indigenous influencers preserving endangered cultures, this year's winners proved that influence today comes in many forms – and from many unexpected places. Rede fi ning content creator If there was one consistent thread in the jury room, it was this: the definition of 'creator' has outgrown its roots in follower count and amplification. In the strongest work, creators showed up as architects – of meaning, of culture, of experience. These were not just people with followers – they were communities, meme accounts, collectives, and even non-humans. In The Gravy Race – a clever, highly-awarded campaign this year, Sheba built an entire entertainment property around internet-famous cats. In Into the Aldiverse – a beautiful campaign by ALDI gaming, the creators weren't individuals, but a collective where partnering with an anime studio in Japan, the brand showed us how co-creation can extend into entire worlds. From individuals with unique POVs to cultural collectives and meme machines, creators are being redefined – not by format or following, but by the role they play in shaping attention and emotion. What makes work win Across all the work, three things stood out: 1. Simplicity wins: This year's graphite pencil winner and jury favourite, Handwash Legend by Savlon India, transformed a single hip hop gesture into a national hygiene movement. By remixing Emiway Bantai's iconic 'hand rub' into a handwashing anthem, the campaign blurred the lines between music, meme, and message. It was simple, sticky, and smart – and a reminder that when brands co-create with cultural figures, even a hygiene habit can go viral. 2. Speed matters: Another standout was the Blurred Unboxing by Colombian snack brand Ramo. It began with a TikTok creator cheekily blurring out a brand logo; within 24 hours, the brand responded with a custom, pixelated package that was sent to the creator, sparking a viral moment that was awarded D&AD's yellow pencil this year. In a world where culture moves at the speed of social – this campaign is a masterclass in listening, agility, and the impact of a simple, real-time gesture. 3. Take it further: Some of the most impactful work also moved beyond the feed and into the real world. Amazon's Money Can't Buy Experiences, a wood pencil winner, reframed creators as experience designers, co-creating events that felt personal, not promotional. In an age of digital fatigue, this campaign was a reminder that true influence isn't confined to screens and taking co-creation further gave the campaign weight-and longevity. Quick note to the region: How to 'win in creator content' On a personal note, I was thrilled to see Dubai represented in the Safe at 3AM campaign. It was sharp, relevant, and executed with insight – live streaming a runner through the city to tackle global perceptions around safety. While it didn't make the shortlist at D&AD, it deserves recognition. Perhaps it's a reflection of where the bar now sits: strong insight and elegant execution are a starting point. But to win in creator content, ideas need to go further – beyond narrative into participation, experience, and depth. There's no shortage of creative talent or storytelling in the region. According to We Are Social's latest Global Digital Report, influencer marketing continues to grow rapidly across MENA with influencer advertising spending up 12.5 per cent (YOY) and 13.7 per cent (YOY) in 2025, for the UAE and KSA respectively. The challenge – and the opportunity – is to take what's working and stretch it. Final takeaway: Stop chasing in fl uence. Start building culture The creator content category is growing up. Creators are no longer just channels. They're collectives, studios, and custodians of identity. The brands that win, will be ones that let a creator's perspective shape the work – not just promote it. With campaigns that are rooted in culture, built for longevity, and extend beyond the screen. And the next generation of pencils? They'll be awarded to brands that stop chasing followers and start building worlds. By Akanksha Goel, Founder & CEO, Socialize / We Are Social

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store