Thanks to its small-profits-but-quick-turnover mass-market policy of the last six months, Cafe It has developed a reputation with nearby workers for high-quality coffee at reasonable prices. Lee said that more and more tourists are visiting as well.

"I have had the mocha from Cafe It, and it tastes good," said 44-year-old Zheng Yang, one of her customers.

Lee said that in Hong Kong, coffee is served at the city's Cha Chaan Teng (tea and food restaurants) and drunk at all hours of the day, so she's put up a sign saying "Coffee Is A Daily Essential" on the customer side of the counter.

"I've seen coffee culture in Chongqing take off, just like Hong Kong 10 years ago," Lee said. "The potential here is huge."

She said the epidemic has slowed down things, but fortunately, her revenues keep rising. Now, she's considering opening a second branch in the near future.

Lee said the biggest challenge is that the market in Chongqing is different. Even though local people like flavored coffees and coffees that look good, she serves only a few classics like flat white, latte, Americano and espresso.

Her employees said they enjoy working there.

"Alison is a very gentle boss. The atmosphere in the cafe is good, and working here is fun," said local barista Zhou Youwei, 25.

Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997 and Macao's in 1999, Beijing has encouraged young people from both cities to look into study and work opportunities on the mainland.

"The young people from Hong Kong and Macao who come to Chongqing to start businesses can share in the development opportunities of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle initiative, help the cities integrate into the overall national development plan and bring new vitality to all the places," said Ma Xing of Chongqing's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office.