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[NF] Building a Coffeehouse

TopherRed

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So if you were building a coffeehouse, what would you do to make it awesome? What are some elements that your really like about your favorite coffeehouse (decor, service, items, etc.)? What are some things you could do without?
 

Lady_X

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oh i'd love to tell you but i may need those ideas some day...i'd be happy to brainstorm with you on yours though. :D

are you opening one?
 

Lux

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I like coffeehouse book stores, and coffeehouses that have local artists displaying their art on the walls. To add them together would be amazing!
 

TopherRed

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oh i'd love to tell you but i may need those ideas some day...i'd be happy to brainstorm with you on yours though. :D are you opening one?
I am Lady, I am (though turning it from a dream, to a goal is hard work, so it'll probably take awhile). Maybe we can work together? :D The business doesn't have to be all mine, just enough mine to support my endeavors.

Of course, you're probably not in my neck of the woods anyway, but I'll share my ideas if you share yours...PM me if you don't feel comfortable here. :yes::newwink:

I like coffeehouse book stores, and coffeehouses that have local artists displaying their art on the walls. To add them together would be amazing!

Jenna, you hit the nail on the idea head. If Barnes and Nobel and Borders incorporated art galleries into their stores, they would make billions more. I think the art/coffee/books combo is a big hit, and trust me when I say, it will be. :)

I have another really good idea to add to that, but now that LadyX is watching, I've got to be chill :peepwall: :ninja:

Good coffee.
Product quality is core to any good coffee business, I completely agree. I'm also going to take full advantage of the green angle.
 

Z Buck McFate

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So if you were building a coffeehouse, what would you do to make it awesome? What are some elements that your really like about your favorite coffeehouse (decor, service, items, etc.)? What are some things you could do without?

Maybe something to give it a sense of community- like a really big bulletin board where patrons can tack their favorite quotes, note their favorite movie or book. I suppose an actual bulletin board would be kind of cheesy, but maybe having some empty journals lying about labeled 'movies' or 'quotes' that patrons could look through and/or contribute to while they're drinking. It could be way for patrons to slowly get to know each other (and to get them to keep coming back :yes: ).
 

OrangeAppled

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As an INFP who loves coffee and does freelance design, I find myself in coffee shops a lot. I really liked the coffee shop I used to frequent before I had to move, so I will use that as an example.

Of course, the coffee was good and the espresso was made correctly, even if it wasn't made quickly. They also did a cool little rosetta design in the foam on top. They had fresh, homemade pastries they made on location in the back. I'm super picky about baking because my mom is an awesome cook, but even I was impressed. They also sold a huge variety of herbal teas, and had some lunch foods like quiche and sandwiches.

There were these nice solid wood, high round tables and tall swivel chairs, which left room to spread out your laptop and coffee and pastry or whatever you had. Plenty of easily accessed and visible plugs in the walls for computer chargers.

Of course, free internet is very important. They didn't even bother with a password, which was nice.

Since I used to meet people for business there, it was also convenient that they had this little private room with chairs and a table in the back. You could reserve it ahead of time, otherwise it was first come, first serve.

They also had blinds on the windows (opened, but not pulled up) and solid doors, so you didn't feel like every passerby on the street was staring at you.

They did cool "community" stuff like hang paintings from local artists (for sale) and had music on Friday nights (not my music taste, but the idea was nice).

And very importantly, the staff was nice. Until it came under new ownership, I never went there because they had these rude people who acted like you were interrupting them to serve you. The new owner made it a much more friendly environment. (Although, admittedly, the people at the nearest Starbucks were even nicer and more personable. They got to know regular's names and personal details and were exceptionally friendly, which is partly why I never totally abandoned them.)

My only complaint is that outside of the tables, there were few big comfy chairs and no private corners to hide out with a book. I like to be more inconspicuous if I am not there working. Sitting at a table with a book and coffee felt weird, so I never did it.
 

The Outsider

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I'd serve poisonous coffee. I would actually name it Poisonous coffee, and I'd openly advertise the fact that I murder the customers, and once you enter, you never truly leave.
I'd hang up paintings drawn using the blood of the earlier customers, assuring everyone that it is indeed real blood.

I imagine I'd still get a lot of customers.
 

proteanmix

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I've seen community tables really taking off and I have a nice story to tell about that in my blog. If I published it, I don't think I did.

WiFi and a meeting space you can rent out to local groups.
 

TopherRed

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proteanmix said:
I've seen community tables really taking off and I have a nice story to tell about that in my blog. If I published it, I don't think I did.

WiFi and a meeting space you can rent out to local groups.


Please, publish here, if you feel comfortable...I need to wrap my mind further around that idea.
 

Orangey

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I frequent coffee shops when my apartment becomes too distracting to work in. One thing that I notice that is consistently awful about them is that they play terrible music and they play it too loud. So if you open a coffee shop, please make sure to play some decent music (and by decent I don't mean necessarily in taste, because obviously you couldn't please everybody and there is nothing objectively "decent," I just mean something that's not too obnoxious to the people trying to work who aren't interested in dancing or otherwise thrashing about. Play classical instead of death metal, for instance). Also, I think OrangeAppled mentioned this, but hire people who aren't assholes. This means DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES HIRE HIPSTERS.
 

TopherRed

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Does anybody think letting the community decide what the music will be is a good idea (or at least something worth trying)? I might add guidance by suggesting a genre, such as classical (like who are your favorite composers?). Thanks Orangey!

So if I wanted to incorporate a stage setting where I could have live music and (good) comedians, how would I best implement that without interfering with the people who want some quiet? Obviously, I don't want to do that more than a couple times a week, but I would like to make that an available option.

ADDITION: Thanks Protean! How can I guard against people trying to watch porn in my business? I still wanna let them bring in their laptops, but that's not acceptable.
 

OrangeAppled

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Also, I think OrangeAppled mentioned this, but hire people who aren't assholes. This means DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES HIRE HIPSTERS.

The coffee shop I mentioned had two hipster guys who were total sweethearts. Well, one was hipster and the other was just an art student. However, they also had some mom-types who set the vibe, and that made the whole place very un-intimidating.

Does anybody think letting the community decide what the music will be is a good idea (or at least something worth trying)? I might add guidance by suggesting a genre, such as classical (like who are your favorite composers?). Thanks Orangey!

I agree with the too loud thing. Especially since I bring headphones with me and want to block out what you play. Music that is not abrasive and a bit atmospheric works best, IMO.

So if I wanted to incorporate a stage setting where I could have live music and (good) comedians, how would I best implement that without interfering with the people who want some quiet?

Night time obviously make the most sense....times when people want to be entertained, not to relax with coffee.
 

kyuuei

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I don't frequent coffee shops at ALL. I don't even like coffee. But i do like that they offer drinks other than coffee, like warmed flavored milks, when I go with friends occasionally.
 

TopherRed

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What do you guys think about adding fine wines, and champaign(ia) after hours? Say, no kids from 10:00p-1:30am for Late Night musicians or comedians?
 

avolkiteshvara

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What do you guys think about adding fine wines, and champaign(ia) after hours? Say, no kids from 10:00p-1:30am for Late Night musicians or comedians?


One of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle has musicians and acts. When i think about opening a place I model off that.

-Unique music, like during the day, not bands
-Quality organic everything is a MUST
-Space, cramped places ruin the vibe
-Rotating(people) modern art
-Alternative magazine around
-Maybe some chess boards
-Big ass sky light
-Some outdoor tables
 

Laurie

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Mmm I love coffee shops. I think the servers really do need a positive attitude - it makes a huge difference in the feel of the shop.
 

TopherRed

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Paying them $10 or $11 per hour (in Cali), might help the attitude thing. In my opinion, people can always learn how to do a job (even if it takes them forever to get it perfect), but SJs can't learn to truly care about people if they weren't taught at an early age. *snickers*
 
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