This article is sponsored by Square, a leader in the food and beverage technology industry. Providing the most innovative, seamless and scalable solutions for restaurants around the world, it’s no wonder over 4 million businesses have chosen to leverage the power of Square. One of those clients is Nick Stone, Founder and Executive Chairman of Bluestone Lane. With 65 cafés and coffee shops across the country, partnering with Square has allowed Bluestone Lane to more easily and effectively bring Aussie café culture (and better coffee) to the USA. Read on to get the whole story and to gain insight into the many ways Square can keep your food and beverage business ahead of the curve.
When Nick Stone, Chairman and Founder of Bluestone Lane, first moved to New York from Melbourne, Australia, it didn’t take long for the homesickness to set in—not for beaches, meat pies, or even Aussie rules football. What he missed most was Australian coffee culture. Back home, it wasn’t just about coffee. It was about connecting in a way that made a person feel like a local—not a customer.”
In a world of convenience and transactions, Nick yearned for that unique sense of hospitality that defines Australia’s espresso-based coffee scene. And it was that longing that ultimately led to the creation of Bluestone Lane, a coffee shop that’s rewriting the rules of American café culture.
From Down Under to Downtown
Australia’s love affair with coffee is a tale of migration, resilience, and evolution. Following World War II, waves of immigrants from Italy, Greece, and other parts of Western Europe arrived on Australian shores, bringing with them espresso machines and a deep passion for quality coffee. From those early influences, a vibrant, highly individualized coffee culture took root—one grounded in small, independent businesses, exceptional service, and a commitment to making people feel like they belong.
“There’s no Starbucks, no Dunkin’, no Peet’s in Australia,” Nick pointed out. “Those big chains just couldn’t make it here. Australians expect more—they want quality and they want authenticity.”
Unlike the U.S., where drip coffee still dominates and chains lead the market, Australian cafés prioritize espresso and personal connection. That emphasis on hospitality is not an afterthought; it’s the core of the experience.
Nick didn’t come from a hospitality background. A former professional athlete turned banker, he wasn’t your typical café founder. But that outsider perspective may have been his secret weapon. When Bluestone Lane opened its first location in a subterranean basement under an escalator in Midtown Manhattan, there were no signs, no sandwich boards, no visibility from the street—only word of mouth.
That hidden gem quickly became a cult favorite. Aussie expats and curious locals alike were drawn to the café’s laid-back vibe, made-to-order food, and a coffee menu that introduced many Americans to the wonders of the flat white and avocado toast—years before they became brunch staples.
“We wanted it to feel like Melbourne’s laneways,” Nick said, referencing the cobblestone alleyways that are home to some of Australia’s best hidden cafés. “There was nostalgia in that. But we also wanted to do it authentically—no koalas or kangaroos on the wall. It was about the spirit, not the stereotypes.”
Hospitality First, Coffee Second
At the heart of Bluestone Lane’s success is a simple philosophy: people remember how you make them feel more than what you serve them. That being said, Nick believes you can teach anyone to make coffee. You can train them on machines, beans, and milk frothing. Compassion, on the other hand, is an innate character trait.
This belief informs Bluestone Lane’s unique hiring practices. Experience in hospitality isn’t required. A shared passion for the brand’s mission is. From baristas to general managers, everyone is selected for their ability to connect, to empathize, and to make someone’s day just a little bit better.
“Working in one of our cafés is a lot like being part of a sports team,” said Nick. “Everyone has a role to play. It’s about collaboration, communication, and being selfless for your teammates and your guests.”
Nick believes it’s that consistency of care that keeps people coming back. Coffee is ritualistic. Often, you see the same people every day. That’s an incredible opportunity to build a real relationship, to become part of someone’s daily rhythm. That’s not something Bluestone Lane takes lightly. Personally, Nick views it as a privilege. Bluestone Lane’s mission goes beyond caffeine. It’s about combatting what Nick sees as one of society’s most pressing issues: loneliness.
“There’s an epidemic of disconnection right now,” he says. “People feel isolated. But coffee brings people together. It’s affordable, accessible, and it creates space for community.”
To that end, Bluestone Lane supports a host of initiatives—from running groups to trivia nights—designed to foster face-to-face interaction and genuine camaraderie. Nick’s vision is for every one of their locations to be a place where human kindness thrives.
Fueling the Experience with Smart Technology
As Bluestone Lane has grown, now with over 60 locations across 10 U.S. markets, maintaining that intimate, community-driven experience has remained at the forefront. Having the right technology has helped bridge the gap, ensuring consistency without sacrificing personality. This is where Square comes into the equation.
“The Square platform has been incredibly liberating,” said Nick. “It works seamlessly across both of our formats—coffee shops where customers order at the counter or on the app, and full-service cafés with ample table seating.”
From the use of Square Register to mobile Square Terminal devices for efficient tableside ordering to the Square KDS (kitchen display system), these integrated systems have helped Bluestone Lane scale efficiently without losing its soul. Transitioning 60+ stores in just four weeks could have been a logistical nightmare. Instead, it was a game-changer.
“Square’s onboarding was seamless,” said Nick. “They were there every step of the way, and the tools they provide, like POS terminals that empower customers to pay right at the table, actually enhance the experience, not distract from it.”
And it’s not just about convenience. It’s also about performance. With Square’s software at the core, Bluestone Lane’s staff can uphold the high standards of service and customer-centric model. The Bluestone Lane team now has real-time data on everything from order times to location-specific sales trends, giving their strategy and finance teams the ability to make smarter decisions. In fact, they’ve actually reduced software spend and achieved 50% faster ordering times because Square is so comprehensive. It’s not just a POS system—it’s a full-service restaurant solution.
A Future with an Energizing Dose of Purpose
Since the opening of its flagship location, Bluestone Lane has worked with a variety of different technology partners. None offered the impressive market share, third party partner ecosystem, customer service, and ability to operate in an effectively progressive way like Square does. This is a business partnership that will continue to play a pivotal role for the long haul.
With ambitions to grow to hundreds of locations, Bluestone Lane isn’t solely focused on expansion but rather pursuing a movement. In the U.S., Starbucks and Dunkin’ currently make up 70 percent of the coffee market, but as shown by Bluestone’s expanding loyal customer base, people are craving something more. They are in search of more authenticity, more health-conscious options, and more humanity.
That’s where Bluestone Lane sees its opportunity. Their coffee shops and cafés offer an affordable luxury. For five to ten dollars, you can feel welcomed, cared for, and uplifted. And it’s not just customers who benefit. Internally, Bluestone Lane has built a culture of upward mobility, promoting team members from the back-of-house to leadership positions and investing in their growth.
“There are incredible stories of people who started as line cooks and are now general managers,” Nick says proudly. “That’s the culture we’ve built—one where values matter, and people are seen.”
In a world where convenience often overshadows connection, Bluestone Lane offers a different path. One where hospitality leads, quality is non-negotiable, and every cup of coffee comes with a side of sincerity. Nick takes great pride in the difference Bluestone Lane has been able to make in U.S. coffee culture. The brand has helped shift the focus from transactions to fulfillment. From selling coffee to building community.
It’s a lesson that started in the laneways of Melbourne and is now taking root across America: that a great cup of coffee can do more than energize—it can connect, uplift, and transform the everyday into something extraordinary.
Take a moment to learn more about Bluestone Lane or find a location near you.
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