How to open a Gourmet Coffee Shop
In case you desire to open a gourmet coffee shop and you have a true love of coffee in all its shapes and forms, then you have to reply one query. Do you have sufficient instructed coffee lovers around who could recognize the value of a gourmet coffee shop and pay a premium cost for your goods?
The fact is, it does not matter how fervent you are about coffee the huge greater part of consumers in a shop will not be capable to tell you about beans, roasting techniques and so forth. They might drop in a coffee shop via tendency, or for the reason that they like your consumer service, or for many motives. An obsession for coffee most likely is not one of them.
So how do you get a gourmet coffee shop up and running? The reply is you do some work for your consumers by instructing them. At the same time as that engages some original funds placement, it could pay for itself when you are charging more for “premium” coffees.
You could endeavor a number of these systems.
1) Purchase some books about coffee, bean roasting and the procedures in coffee and release them in your shop for consumers to read.
2) Write about the chronicle of coffee and the roasting procedure in either giveaway leaflets, or info on your shop web site or a newsletter you transmit out to consumers.
3) Present some free tasting sessions where you offer various coffees to consumers and describe the discrepancies among them.
Expectantly, when you do all three of these things, you will get a more complicated group of usual consumers at a gourmet coffee shop that will be ready to pay a small extra for the good coffees you love – and they will recognize the value of them too.
Do baristas annoy you?
You walk into your favorite coffee shop, find a good spot, mark your temporary territory with a book or an invaluable belonging, walk over to the counter, and look up the menu. You’re thinking of what to order, when a familiar voice cuts in, “Hi (name)! Let me guess. Non-fat white chocolate mocha, no whipped cream, and chocolate eclair?” It’s the barista, naming your usual order which you’ve been getting for the past how many weeks.
On the one hand, it’s flattering that he or she actually remembers your name, your usual order, and even correctly associated it with your face. On the other, it’s a bit presumptuous. What makes him or her think that you don’t have enough sense of adventure to try out something new right now? Do you look like the kind of person who can’t help but stick to his boring old routine? Non-fat? Aren’t you looking more fit today, so that you deserve a calorie-laden frappuccino with double servings of whipped cream?
Next situation. You’re in the mood for a quiet, relaxing day. What could be a better setting than your neighborhood cafe, with that steady buzz of coffee brewing, the subdued chatter that blends into white noise, and the soft jazzy music playing in the background? You settle into a comfy chair, open your chosen feel-good book or magazine, and then suddenly, that familiar voice again asks you, “Hey (name)! How are you doing?” You smile politely and say you’re fine, thank you very much. You’re about to go back to your book when it cuts in again. “Oh, you’re not working today? Are you on leave?” Again, it’s flattering that he or she remembers you, and some things about your life which you probably shared bit by bit through your frequent visits. But isn’t it obvious that you just want to enjoy some quiet alone time? And, it’s not like you’re old buddies.
Do baristas annoy you?
Barnes and Noble with Starbucks
I love going into a Barnes and Noble store and smelling the coffees. It is very refreshing to me. What a great idea to put two of the things that I really love into one store. I love the fact that you can pick out a book or a magazine and read away after you have ordered your coffee or cappachino. It is quite relaxing to do after a long day of shopping and quite rewarding as well.
Starbucks has many great choices to choose from. I am not really all that picky and will try anything they have on their list once if I can. While I do prefer anything cappachino, I will stray if I have to.
Starbucks to me is on the expensive side, but I do like to splurge once in a while so it is worth it. Try the teas as well. Many great flavors to choose from. And they have great baked goods to go with your coffee or tea so with a book, it makes for a great afternoon.
Flying Star Cafe (Knob Hill, Albuerqueque, New Mexico)
Flying Star Cafe (Knob Hill – Albuerqueque, New Mexico)
www.flyingstarcafe.com * 3416 Central SE * Albuquerque, NM 87106 * Phone: 505-255-6633 * Fax: 505-232-8432 * HOURS: Sunday-Thursday 6:00am-11:00pm; Friday & Saturday 6:00am-Midnight
A large artsy/chic restaurant/cafe in the heart of historic and trendy Knob Hill district of Albuerqueque is a great place for getting your brew and grub for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Up to the counter you order just like most cafe’s, but tempted with hand made breads, desserts, and pastries while you’re perusing the menu up above. On this particular visit I went for the French Onion soup in a bread bowl and a large cold chai. My friend Vikki went for a butternut squash dish with a new chai latte they were offering and little Trinity went for the pancakes and hot chocolate. We were all quite satisfied with our choices. Jean and Mark Bernstein, both born and raised in New York, came out west with dreams of opening a restaurant … with the exquisite delicacy tastes of New York in mind. They also wanted a large meeting place where solitaries or groups could hang out and lounge. In November 1987, they opened this particular store as their first, on old Route 66. Over the last 20 years their popularity has spread to 8 locations throughout Albuerqueque. Excellent. Rating 5 stars out of 5. Visited 11/30/08.
Boulder Coffee House and Bookstore
Yes, I’m a coffee house fanatic. I’ve been to every single coffee shop within a 50 mile radius of my home, and plan on searching some more. Some I love, some I hate. But, when it comes to bookstore coffee houses, there is one that is what I would consider ‘a smart investment made.’
The location of this bookstore is in Boulder, CO, and is just known as the Boulder Book Store. It’s in a quaint little area in downtown Boulder. You can’t miss it on the corner of the street.
In retrospect, I find that the problem with this bookstore coffee house is that it doesn’t pose an atmosphere, which I’m picky about. However, it has the most books and most lounge areas I’ve ever seen. For those that are thinking of starting a bookstore coffee house or are interested in ideas about them, this is a good plan.
The way that this coffee house is built is that it has two sections. One is the actual bookstore and the other is the coffee house, which is almost like a separate building, with only one entrance way from the book store. You can also go to the coffee house from the outside, where it doesn’t look like it is attached. A definite smart attraction for those that don’t read anymore.
Moving along… the bookstore is huge. It’s three floors full of fiction, non-fiction and kids books. Not only can you lounge in their cafe with your newly bought book, but you can also lounge in the ‘rooms’ they have built, each with sitting areas and different types of books in each room. It’s a combination of a place to buy and a place to enjoy yourself. Just don’t spill your coffee.
So, if any of you are ever in Boulder, Colorado, or want a great idea for a bookstore cafe, definitely look at the Boulder Bookstore.
El Diablo Coffee Company, Seattle, WA
El Diablo Coffee Company
http://www.eldiablocoffee.com/ * 1811 Queen Anne Ave North #101, Seattle, WA 98109 * 206.285.0693
A large artsy cafe in the heart of Queen Anne on the main drag, next to a cool bookstore, and nestled within a bunch of shops. El Diablo will give you a taste of heaven and hell … downstairs taking in Diablo’s color, fire, and Mexican-like Day of the Dead decor style … with great drinks and pastries. Upstairs you can climb into the clouds and settle into heaven. Great place to meet friends, chat, read, and absorb Seattle coffee culture with a kitchy artistic flair. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
 El Diablo Coffee Co. |
 El Diablo version of Chai, water, and a breakfast muffin |
Bauhaus Coffee Shop, Seattle, WA
Bauhaus Coffee
301 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 * (206) 625-1600
http://bauhauscoffee.com/
A great coffee shop in the heart of Capital Hill with books and coffee, chai and free wifi, and late night hours. Friendly staff and a great place to meet people. Good service. Highly recommended for any coffee connaisseur. Rating 5 stars out of 5. Visited 12/29/06
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Poor Richard’s Cafe (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Poor Richard’s Bookstore and Cafe
324 1/2 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1224 * 1 719 632 7721
Rating: 3 stars out of 5 visited 9/23/06
A quaint little bookstore cafe/restaurant serving a full menu, wine, coffees, latte, and pastries. Good food. Elegant food. Service is a bit slow. Excellent used bookstore next store, one of the best in the Springs. Live entertainment friday and saturdays.
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