Founder of the famous Minsk bar «Karma» has already opened his third establishment in Warsaw. What is it?

A cafe with a shop section

In 2022, «Karma» closed in Minsk, and since the owner himself had left Belarus earlier, the eponymous bar appeared in Kyiv in 2021, and after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in the summer of 2022, its own «Karma» also appeared in Warsaw.

Later, the project expanded in the Polish capital, and Kavalyov and his partners opened a second establishment there — Seven of Swords.

The Hermit became the third. The concept there is very different from previous projects.

Hleb himself says that when «Karma» (including its Minsk period) turned almost ten years old, the team wanted to create something completely new — a place that would operate in a "day-evening" mode, without overlapping with night formats. This strategy was chosen, among other things, to avoid creating competition for themselves.

So, after four months of searching for a location, the project emerged, operating as a cafe with all-day breakfasts. There is no alcohol on the menu yet, but the owners hope to add a wine list soon.

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The main highlight of the bar is vintage items from various countries, which are not only part of the interior but also goods that can be purchased on site.

«The Hermit is a cafe with a small kitchen and a small vintage and antique shop inside,» — Hleb describes the new establishment.

His interest in antique items emerged already in childhood, when he watched his uncle and aunt collecting such collections.

Павялічыць

«So this is also a story from childhood, but while I lived in Belarus, I didn't have many opportunities to visit European flea markets. When I started living in Poland, I began by collecting vintage bar items, shakers.

I travel a lot, and in every trip, I include a visit to a big flea market, different vintage stores, and consignment shops in my plan. That's how I look for things that can be given a second life, so they can be used again,» — Kavalyov explains.

Павялічыць

The Hermit has many porcelain items: vases, ashtrays, plates, candlesticks. Hleb also likes to collect wallets, flasks, and chess sets.

Successfully integrated into Warsaw's nightlife

Another distinctive feature of the new establishment compared to previous ones is that it will be more focused on locals than on migrants and tourists.

Hleb explains this approach by saying that they are already successfully integrating into Warsaw's night and evening life.

Павялічыць

Meanwhile, «Karma», which was one of the first Belarusian establishments to open in Warsaw after 2020, always had a large proportion of Belarusians. As the owner recalls, initially they made up to 90% of visitors. But even now, about half of the visitors are Belarusians.

«Many Poles also come to us. We organize various events, joint gatherings with everyone. Typically, many Ukrainians and Belarusians still come to us, there are plenty of Erasmus students, and many tourists also visit us. In short, things are going really well,» — says the businessman.

Kavalyov notes that the summer of 2026 was the best for Warsaw's «Karma», which, in his opinion, is quite unusual, as the best summer for an establishment is usually the first, but here it's after so many years.

Павялічыць

As for the bar in Kyiv, which Hleb, together with Sasha Gaikovich, opened in 2021, it also continues to operate.

«We nominally remained founding fathers there, we stay in contact with the old and new teams, we can give some advice there, but the bar operates completely autonomously. The Kyiv bar has new co-owners — all from among former employees or friends of Kyiv's «Karma». One of them is Belarusian, all the others are Ukrainians,» — Hleb recounts.

How much was invested in the opening?

One of the atypical features of the establishments opened by Kavalyov is the fact that they are owned by many people at once. In the case of Warsaw, there are 12 people, and in the new establishment, most of Hleb's partners are new.

Павялічыць

«I like this system; it builds a kind of democracy in which we never lived in Belarus, and it allows not to risk a large amount of money from one particular person. We know that something can always go wrong and the project might not become profitable,» — Hleb explains his business strategy and adds that half of his investors are Belarusians, and half are Ukrainians.

Hleb notes that in their establishments, at least one of the owners is always present on site.

The opening of The Hermit cost 240,000 Polish zloty (about 55,000 euros). The cafe is located in the center of Warsaw at Mokotowska, 62.

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