What Would Make Your Perfect Coffee Shop Perfect?
I am thinking about putting a coffee shop in a developing western suburb. I have experience in the industry,all of my experience is in pastry, so I know how to supply a shop and I have ideas of what I would do in my ideal shop. I was co-owner in pastry shop not too long ago that had a lot of potential,and is still operating today,but I don't want to have the kind of shop that is just operating or just doing the day to day things that a coffee/ pastry shop does. I want to know more about what makes a great shop from the customer point of view. This is my first time posting something like this, but it seems as though this might be a good way to get a lot of positive feedback, both new ideas and criticism. If anyone has any advice or ideas to share it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
26 Comments:
10-15 taps of craft beer.
beersnob at 10:29PM on 01/19/09
No cell phones allowed!
Twinwillow at 10:34PM on 01/19/09
coffee shop by day, booze by night. I've seen this work a few different ways where I live:
- espresso bar by day, martini bar by night ($$$ but fantastic, like grind fresh mint for mojitos the way you're supposed to fantastic with a menu full of different classic and hot cocktails, often with hot chocolate or coffee drinks in addition to martinis/mojitos/etc)
- coffee shop by day, bar/six pack shop by evening/night (no liquor, just beer and wine with other drinks, like Bolthouse Farms juices at one end of a cooler packed with 6ers and tallboys/bombers of everything from PBR to regional microbrews and a handful of good beers on tap)
The martini/espresso place is a little classier, and the coffee/beer place is super laid back, with a nice dog-friendly patio (most places are dog friendly where I live :P).
Neither place has wifi, but you probably want to have that
joyyy at 10:58PM on 01/19/09
Well, what hours do you want to be open, would be question #1.
Another thought would be a monthly pastry instructional class since that's your specialty--but not more than monthly, you want them eating YOUR stuff rather than making your stuff on their own. And also, it would seem like more of a fun thing for those who are so busy that's it's nice to not be totally committed, and who would rather just drop in when they can rather than sign up for a weekly course. You would of course have to decide if it would be hands on or demonstrational.
And...see if your local library or local bookstore might want to network. Perhaps you might have book club meetings alternating at their place and yours. And if you do that...have a couple of good food related novels or other food books on hand in your shop for sale. Not for serious retail, but more to draw attention to the book club effort. If you are networking with a bookstore, you could simply have them displayed and direct interested customers to the bookstore of choice. You could also do a "donate your old books for a food related charity effort," which is quite dear to many readers and coffee drinkers I know.
dhorst at 11:19PM on 01/19/09
Really comfy chairs! Also, please give some thought to offering gluten free treats along with your coffee - they require a very clean kitchen, but will attract many very thankful gf coffee drinkers.
With regard to the "donate your old book" suggestion - what about a small bookcase of used books that patrons can read and enjoy while they are there? Maybe with a bookmark system of sorts so you leave the book there with your marker in it (along with others) and can pick up where you left off when you visit.
Lastly - comfy chairs, fancy treats and such aside - don't forget the most essential - really good coffee!
thinkingincrayons at 11:46PM on 01/19/09
My hubby and I LOVE a local coffee shop that (I assume it's a given) roasts their own beans locally and often. A few items that they have that set them apart is that they do waffles to order on weekends with your choice of berries/whip/ice cream. I also really like their quiches and they have a variety of wraps and some spinach pie that's somewhere between quiche and spanokopita. They also sell high end chocolate from around the world and some little gourmet things from around the country. All of this in a VERY small Victorian house in a residential neighborhood. I just wish we didn't have to drive 45 minutes to get there!
MaresyDotes at 11:48PM on 01/19/09
I don't really go to coffee shops much these days, but when I do, I usually wish that they offered smaller pastries. I don't want to eat a muffin the size of a softball or a slice of cake the size of my face.
renzata at 12:02AM on 01/20/09
There's a place at the edge of one of our universities and near the arts district that runs from breakfast through late night. Fireplace, alcohol license, good coffee, breakfast, sandwiches. I'm here to tell you that the idea of getting Irish coffee made with really good coffee after an evening at the theater is one fine thing. And the food's good, too.
lemons at 12:15AM on 01/20/09
I live in a university town, and I can tell you that at least here, the thing that makes coffee shops jam-packed is sockets. Lots and lots of sockets. If there aren't enough places to plug in a laptop (and free wi-fi), the place is empty. I'm sure people still buy coffee on the go, but there's a lot less sitting. That may be desirable, though, depending.
BangieB at 12:30AM on 01/20/09
-Local roasters
-Fireplace
-Patio with smoking (try a corner location)
-Team up with a well-liked local bakery and supply some of their items in your place
-Your own beverage recipes-- many indie places have mixes that they get from companies for frappes and smoothies that aren't always yummy
-A signature drink
smile at 3:50AM on 01/20/09
There is this coffee house that is a few blocks where I ive that is popular and Ideal (I live in Seattle in the University District so many students frequent this place as well as the prof's and staff and people like me who have long been out of school. Here is what makes this place so special:
1- Great coffee and teas and for a very good price.
2- Savory foods, nothing big bagels, sandwichs, wraps, soup of the day, slice of mac and cheese special of the day all made there and again, low price.
3- Pastries, muffins, yogurt and granola, brownines, cookies, cakes, good prices and all housemade.
4- Free wifi
5- Excellent sound system and not blasting
6- Allows dogs
7- Deck for outdoor seating or smoking
8- They sell beer and wine
9- They have games like (chess, checkers, ect), and plenty of books and newspapers to read.
10- They let local artists hang display and sell their art on the wall.
11- Once a month they have local bands play in the evening at the place
12- There leftover bagels, muffins, cookies ect are put in a bag with a sign that says free so the homeless can take what they want.
13- The have compfy chairs and also big tables for the students are able to spread their books ect out.
14- The staff is very very friendly, they do not have attitudes or think they are so hip.
That is why this so popular here on "the ave".
pjracz10 at 4:39AM on 01/20/09
My dream coffee shop, in specific detail:
- Has black and white checkered tile
-A fireplace
- Seasonal desserts and treats with many of the ingredients being from farmer's markets or local businesses
-Knows that it's a coffee shop and doesn't also sell smoothies, boba, sandwiches, pasta, soda, pizza, bagels, blah blah blah. Pastries, coffee and a few speciality drinks will do.
- My favorite coffee shop kind of doubles as a library and art gallery. All the books in the place are a buck and paintings can be bid on.
- Cozy couches, tables and cushions.
PumpkinBear at 4:42AM on 01/20/09
A decent selection of teas and herbal tisanes for non-coffee drinkers (a nice hot cocoa would be lovely too).
Individual seating (like comfy chairs) as well as small tables for couples or small groups of friends.
I agree, sockets, sockets, sockets, and free wifi (or free wifi with purchase--maybe you could print the password on receipts or something).
Pastries and treats made with "whole" ingredients--no HFCS, maybe a few whole wheat options. I also agree with the person above who requested regular-sized pastries, a 200 calorie cookie for a buck, say, rather than a 500 calorie one the size of my head for two bucks.
lovesomething at 8:10AM on 01/20/09
- high-quality protein for breakfast
- good-quality baked goods, not wrapped in plastic
- graduate-student friendly
- unobtrusive music, if any
- fair-trade coffees and teas
- no dirty looks for ordering a beverage in a mug instead of a to-go cup
- judiciously scheduled live music, including an open mic with modest sound system
I'd never leave!
emilydev at 8:35AM on 01/20/09
I love @dhorst's suggestion for a pastry class, especially if some pastries are very popular, and ditto the used books. What a great theme! One college cafe that opened up near where I went to school had old board games, too, that people could play.
A lot will depend on size and turn-over--how fast you want to get people in and out. That will influence your choice of comfy chairs, games, wifi, and so forth. Also the target demographic--younger people might like music nights, poetry slams, and less meal-type offerings. Young moms and young adults might want stroller space, more breakfast and meal-type items.
I definitely agree with smaller pastries, a selection of diet-friendly and if possible gluten-free stuff, and perhaps some sandwiches. I don't really like commercial products in a cafe so much, like yogurt, since the selection isn't often good and I can get that stuff in a convenience story if I'm on the run.
HeartofGlass at 9:11AM on 01/20/09
the coffee shop I used to work in was part coffee shop and part used book store. we also had an owner that was one of the best. great coffee, good selection of books, lots of comfy chairs and tables, we also had a room that was open but slightly apart that we used to let groups use, from bible studies to fiction writers, to Romeo's . we didnt charge them the use of the room, but they spent alot of money, and during the day we had lots of older ladies that got together to play mahjong. check into local places like senior centers and see if there are groups that would be interested in using the space you can offer. We also had open mike night every Saturday night, everything from country music to opera to onr gentelman that wrote "American Haiku" Yes he was that bad!!! I think the most important thing is to not concentrate on the great food and coffee, but to build what will work for people and make it feel like home. I still go there even though its way out of my way, because I love the people and the atmosphere. Its genuinely a place where everyone knows your name.
huneybumper at 10:04AM on 01/20/09
I appreciate friendly, knowledgeable staff (no hipster attitude, please!) in a coffee shop. Also, some savory treats in addition to the sweets.
SSMom at 10:09AM on 01/20/09
@Heart, we're on the same vibe here! I agree that certain demographics often occupy cafes at different hours and also have different requirements. So, some research into that area's market would really be key. My husband is a market research analyst, and so to some extent we have both drank the kool aid.
But, I think that first, anyone should just start out by simply visiting similar businesses in the area and observing and talking to people in that area. If there aren't any similar businesses in that area, find out why and then go from there. Weaknesses and strengths really need to be put down on paper and just not thought about. It's all about the black and white...too many end up in the red.
dhorst at 12:37AM on 01/21/09
@dhorst--I'm totally into the marketing amateur marketing thing--I remember once seeing, during the height of the Starbucks craze, a TV program showing two Starbucks stores located across the street, both of which were doing well--with totally different styles. One was big and airy, with lots of seats for strollers and a big stock of kid-friendly treats. The other was small and cramped and got people out fast and was right beneath a big, busy office building.
Definitely agree with dhorst about scoping out the competition--btw, is there a college nearby? I have to say that the most successful coffee shops I've been to have been located near colleges or high schools, given that students make the ideal customers--they don't sleep, they procrastinate, they study all hours of the night, and they usually don't cook or make their own coffee (or can't in a dorm)!
HeartofGlass at 8:22AM on 01/21/09
Also, you have to have good drip coffee. When I started drinking coffee in college, I found a place that had really *really* good drip coffee. I paid for a small coffee to go with just change for a very long time and always went back because it's surprising how many coffee shops have shitty drip coffee.
And you NEED to have some sort of customer reward-type card, like buy 9 drinks the 10th is free or something. The one really good shop where I live refuses to do this (crazy owner), and what happens as a result is the baristas end up comping or undercharging regulars ... and the regulars return the favor by tipping extra. It's a nice exchange when you're the one getting extra tips or free/cheap coffee, but if you're a business owner, the result might as well be baristas taking money right out of the register. Reward your customers so your baristas won't feel the need to take it upon themselves.
My favorite place also (until quite recently) would give you a free cup of drip when you bought a bag of beans. The were not officially allowed to put the cost of a drip towards another drink - but that is a real way to show your customers you care, hint hint.
And I really like the used book idea.
joyyy at 9:38AM on 01/21/09
Somebody I love and have fun with to own and run it with me.
PerkyMac at 9:41AM on 01/21/09
Definitely some comfy chairs! I agree with the suggestions for a nice selection of teas.
My favorite coffee place makes things like mochas or hot chocolate with good quality chocolate -- and it's amazing.
I also really like being served my "for here" orders in glass or ceramic cups. ^_^
Good luck!
Skythe at 9:57AM on 01/21/09
i second, third, fourth, and fifth the no cell phones idea, or at least setting off one area to be a cell free zone.
cybercita at 9:59AM on 01/21/09
More and more places in the suburbs of Los Angeles are not serving cold decaf drinks. Even the Bucks are not making frappuccino's in decaf anymore - sucks for me because I can only drink decaf.
ddvierra68 at 11:50AM on 01/21/09
Local art and art parties. Discounts for bringing your own mug. Free wi-fi and plenty of outlets. I second Joyy on Good drip coffee. Most importantly, train your staff to learn customers' names- always keeps me coming back.
Embackus at 5:29PM on 01/21/09
Comfy chairs and plenty of them; housemade pastries, sandwiches, soups, etc; a patio area; unobtrusive background music; local art displays; and open late hours. The best coffee house in my city has all these things, but they close at 3:00pm!!! They used to be open until midnight, but new owners took over and I guess they go to bed early : (
gourmetgal at 5:45PM on 01/21/09