If you go to the convenience store transformed from the old bakery in the Marais district, you'll know that a truly useful cabinet should be able to withstand the sweltering heat of an afternoon in summer, hold piles of Evian mineral water, and not take up the already narrow aisle. I've asked several store owners, and the brands they often mention really suit the temperament of Paris.
Frigoglass has a stable reputation among local store owners. Once, when I went to a convenience store in the 9th arrondissement to buy water, the owner pointed to the silver standing cabinet behind the counter and said, "This cabinet is the most worry - free in summer." The store didn't have a powerful air - conditioner, and when the afternoon sun shone in, the store was like a small steamer. But when I opened the cabinet door, a cool air rushed towards my face — the bottled water always felt cold to the touch, without sudden temperature changes. The owner said it didn't take up much space, and its width was just enough to fit into the gap between the cash register and the shelf, yet it could hold hundreds of bottles of water. "When there are many tourists on weekends, making fewer restocking trips means saving time and money." More importantly, last time the compressor made a bit of noise. I made a phone call, and a technician came from the 11th arrondissement in the afternoon to fix it, without delaying the evening business.
Hussmann is more suitable for those boutiques that sell imported juices. There is a small store selling organic drinks in the 7th arrondissement. A standing cabinet of this brand is placed on the counter, and its glass door is so bright that you can even clearly see the labels on the bottles. The store owner said this cabinet can adjust the temperature. "Some cold - pressed juices need to be kept at 4℃ to stay fresh, and it can be set precisely there. If there is any deviation, it will alarm." She has a mini - program on her mobile phone, through which she can check the temperature inside the cabinet at any time. "I don't need to keep opening the cabinet door to check, which saves a lot of electricity." Moreover, this cabinet is very quiet. When guests are chatting in front of the bar, they can hardly hear its running sound.
If you're opening a coffee shop, Epta might be a better fit. In the century - old coffee shop in the 6th arrondissement, a standing cabinet of this brand is placed next to the bar. The silver - gray frame matches the wooden furniture in the store without being obtrusive. The most wonderful thing is the glass door — it often rains in Paris in spring. The doors of ordinary cabinets will fog up, making it impossible to see the cold - brew coffee inside clearly, but this door is always clean. The bartender said it makes little noise. "When there are many guests, the sounds of the coffee machine and people talking blend together, and no one has ever noticed the cabinet running."
If you have a limited budget, Haier is a practical choice. A mom - and - pop store in the 13th arrondissement uses it. The owner said it's nearly 20% cheaper than European brands, but it has been used for three years without major problems. "Even when it's 30 degrees in the store in summer, it can still freeze the cola until it's icy to the touch." The capacity is also sufficient. All the beer and juice stocked on weekends can be stuffed in, without having to pile them on the ground. Last time the door hinge was a bit loose. I called the customer service, and someone came to repair it the next day. "The technician also helped us adjust the temperature, saying that this would save more electricity."
High - end bars will love Liebherr. There is a whisky bar in the 8th arrondissement. A cabinet of this brand is embedded on the side of the bar. Its width is exactly the same as that of the bar, and its color is made to be the same dark wood color as the wall. If you don't look carefully, you might think it's part of the decoration. The bartender said this cabinet can be set at 5℃. "It's just right for storing those single - malt whiskies. With a stable temperature, the flavor won't dissipate." And after two years of use, there isn't a single scratch on the cabinet surface. "Even if guests open and close the door frequently, there's no need to worry."
In fact, when choosing a standing cabinet in Paris, just consider three points: whether it can withstand the heat in summer, whether it can fit into the small space of an old house, and whether someone can come to repair it quickly when it breaks down. Presumably, these brands have spread locally because they have all met these requirements.
