Crafty Smuggler, the Swansea coffee shop that began in a derelict garage, has opened a new location in Llansamlet. The shop officially opened at unit fifteen on St David's Road on Monday, October 5, marking its third site in the city after Western Street in Sandfields and Uplands Crescent.
The new venue will primarily operate as a takeaway, but includes indoor seating, undercover outdoor tables, and customer parking. Owner Bam Day said the site was chosen to support the business's wholesale coffee roastery production, which recently expanded to a larger scale.
Owner's vision for the new site
Day explained that the location made sense given the building's size. He noted that the area lacked speciality coffee options, with mostly chain outlets nearby, and he wanted to bring a family-run, local alternative. He said feedback had been positive and that Llansamlet had proven busier than expected, with many gyms, garages, offices, and wholesalers in the area, which may require additional recruitment.
From derelict garage to growing business
In 2023, the first Crafty Smuggler venue on Western Street was renovated from a derelict building previously used for storage. It became a dog-friendly coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating, serving coffee from around the world along with sweet treats and paninis. The business has built a loyal customer base since then.
Reflecting on the success, Day said he felt lucky to have built a strong community that supports the business daily. He credited his staff, many of whom have worked with him since the beginning, for the company's growth. He added that Crafty Smuggler is about the people as much as the coffee.
The Llansamlet branch is open Monday to Friday from 7am until 2pm.
