Honoring Everyday Heroes: A Tribute to theHeart of Our Community
Written by Praise Afolabi on 12th April 2025
QUPI Café
There are also unsung heroes in every neighborhood, people who volunteer their time, energy, and passion to make a positive impact. They are the local business owners, volunteers, and community leaders who work tocreate spaces of belonging, connection, and support.
To honour these individuals, Community Week:Celebrating Everyday Heroes premieres in two weeks with inspiring stories of local change-makers. The special program highlights people who go above and beyond to help make our communities stronger.
One such hero is Popi owner of QUPI Café, a well-lovedGreek café on Leith Walk, Edinburgh. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and the role small businesses play in shaping the character of a community.
QUPI Café: A Home Away from Home
QUPI Café has been a Leith staple for over 20 years,serving up classic Mediterranean cuisine and a warm atmosphere. Originally opened by Panagiotis, a Greek immigrant, the café was the first Greek takeaway spot in the area.
When Popi moved to Edinburgh in 2012, QUPI Caféquickly became her go-to spot. Little did she know, within two years she’d be taking over the company, carrying on the Greek tradition.
“I’ve loved this job for more than 25 years. It was mydream as a child.” – Popi, QUPI Café
From home-made delights like Spanakopita (spinach and feta pie), Baklava, and Ekmek (light lemondessert), QUPI Café is more than just a coffee shop, it’swhere friends are made, people laugh, and memories are created.
“It’s like a community café. People come, chat, tellstories. Some have been coming for years, and we’ve become friends.”, Popi It is this strong sense ofcommunity that keeps QUPI Café going, even whensmall businesses are struggling.
Overcoming Challenges through Resilience
Running a small business is never easy, there wasinitially tram works along Leith Walk that interfered withthe flow of pedestrians, making it difficult for customers to get to the café. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the cost-of-living crisis, which made individuals increasingly unable to afford eating out.
“We all assumed that when the tram was completed,business would pick up. But then they turned parking spots into paid ones, and people still weren’t coming as much.”
Despite these challenges, Popi refused to give up. She is driven by her passion for her business, her clients, and her community.
Her story reflects the resilience and determination smallbusiness owners bring to our communities.
The Strength of Buying Local
Small, family-run businesses are not just places to shopor eat, they are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods.
“There is a family behind every small business, someonewho is attempting to make a living. The folks in Leith have been so supportive, and that makes all the difference.”
This Community Week, we encourage you to share thelove to your local heroes, whether it’s a café like QUPI, a neighborhood store, or a volunteer for the community.
How You Can Support Local Businesses:
“When you shop at a small business,you’re supporting a dream.” Join the Celebration!
As part of Community Week: Celebrating EverydayHeroes, we’ll be featuring more inspiring stories from people like “All together Edinburgh, Leith Bottle Shop” and people who are having a positive impact every day.
QUPI Café
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Article compiled and edited by Praise Afolabi|Heartsong Live Radio
