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Having a 3rd baby isn't the craziest thing we are doing this year...

hellomommashellomommas member
edited November 2015 in June 2016 Moms
Besides having another baby, we sold our house and put most of the money into opening a coffee shop in one of the most popular shopping centers in our area opening in 4-5 weeks! Our shop is amongst Old navy, dicks, homegoods, a cupcake shop, chipotle, etc) SO

Anyone want to chime in on their "particulars" when it comes to a fav coffee destination?

What are the do's and dont's of a coffee hangout?

What are the hours?
What does it look like (design/colors/decor)?
What is the experience?
What kind of glasses/cups are used?
What kind of milk/ syrups do you desire for specialty coffee?

Any strong feelings about anything coffee and/or coffee shop related would be helpful!

You get credit and kudos if we use your ideas. You helped create a coffee shop! Go you!
Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I should add- we obviously already have a lot planned... Just curious for last minute ideas to make it a finished vision.
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Re: Having a 3rd baby isn't the craziest thing we are doing this year...

  • Wyattnash00Wyattnash00 member
    That's so very cool @babyweber3!!! I'll get back to you with my faves, just totally absorbed in the CMA's;) are you moving your family into the coffee shop?!!!?
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  • Wyattnash00Wyattnash00 member
    Ps. Always picture the coffee shop on friends as being awesome. I love BIG coffee cups! Different shapes/styles
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  • MynaBirdMynaBird member
    Warm light, comfy chairs, free wifi. And ditto big cups!
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  • LilwatzLilwatz member
    I think this is so awesome!  How exciting!  I love big cups.  Glass (and a to go option, obvi).  I love pastries and lunchy foods (simple sandwiches).  The more flavors the better, but hazelnut is always a must for me.  Clearly I am so important.  :)  I think the hours are up to what you want.  To be niche and morningish only I'd open until 2-3pm.  If not I'd say 6.  I'm also a fan of mismatched and eclectic tables and chairs.  What's your metro area?

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  • hellomommashellomommas member
    @Wyattnash00 Haha! Though it would be fun to live in a coffee shop, it is only 1000 square feet so---no. haha. We bought another house---just much cheaper.

    @lilwatz Pittsburgh Pennsylvania!
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  • candicek15candicek15 member
    I'm all about the rewards/loyalty cards. Buy # of coffees, get the next one free!
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  • FutureMrsCAFFutureMrsCAF member
    How exciting!! I agree with PPs, comfy couches and chairs, warm lighting, and giant mugs. My favorite coffee shop in college had homemade quiche so it became one of my go-tos for lunch since I never had enough time to go get coffee in the morning. I miss that place and think of it every time I make quiche! They also had chicken salad sandwiches and maybe one other lunch option, as well as the traditional pastries. Good luck! I've often thought about how I'd love to have a coffee shop/bakery, but I am so not a morning person, so it would not work for me lol.
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  • Rosehip15Rosehip15 member
    Really good coffee, of course - I like Illy, but it's expensive, or Lavazza. 

    For food, I would keep a limited menu, and really high-quality.  A few signature pastries, and maybe some interesting, delicious sandwiches.  A few things that come to mind - jalepeno tuna salad, chicken salad with grapes & cashews, (really excellent - meaning, sourced from the best place you can find in Pittsburgh) fresh mozzarella & prosciutto...

    However you go, don't try to be everything to everybody.  Find your niche, what sells, what you're great at, and focus on that.
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  • WSU2015WSU2015 member
    A well trained barista is a must. My favorite coffee stand never disappoints me because every barista makes a good drink. This stand in particular has three locations with several employees each and the product is always consistent. There is nothing worse than spending money on a coffee you've been looking forward to all morning and ending up with an undrinkable coffee because a newbie made it.

    Also if I go into a coffee shop to sit and hang for a while I want to be warm. I'm not familiar with the weather in your area but where I live we have cold winters. One Coffe shop in my area doesnt account for the fact that each time the door opens a huge rush of cold air comes in so the seating area is frigid. I don't want to have to wear my coat and gloves inside. This may seem picky or common sense but the longer people hang out the more money they spend so keep it cozy!
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  • NLewis1NLewis1 member
    I think it's super important to offer yummy food too (breakfast pastries, sandwiches etc). My fav coffee shop in college had free wifi, oversized chairs and couches plus the tables. Their pumpkin chocolate chip muffins in the all were the best
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  • xaudreyx2011xaudreyx2011 member
    Depending on your target audience, I think it's great to include something for kids. My favorite coffee shop has a small kids table and chairs with coloring stuff and games. They also host family nights with story telling and crafts. Other nights they have open mic...which is pretty much the go to thing in our small community.
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  • LinsbinsLinsbins member
    Rofl at kudos you helped. You're a hoot.

    What are the do's and dont's of a coffee hangout? My biggest pet peeve is when I want to sit down, but people have taken al the room on the couch when there should be room for three people. Or those long tables and one person takes space for four. That's tricky for you to navigate but I hate it.

    What are the hours? 6 am to 9 pm? I like getting coffee in the afternoon
    What does it look like (design/colors/decor)? Nothing too in my face
    What is the experience? Smells good. Nice music that I recognize, doesn't repeat too often, could be new but no super crazy beats or anything
    What kind of glasses/cups are used? I'm thinking Friends. I drink a lot of chocolate and I dislike it in those clear mug things.
    What kind of milk/ syrups do you desire for specialty coffee? Toffee nut! I also am lactose intolerant but love my sweet things like hot chocolate and frappuccinos. So soy milk is a must, and I would love to try those things with coconut or almond milk too.
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  • dennyandleedennyandlee member
    edited November 2015
    You have to use Monin brand syrups. I just think they are the best, and you can use them to make Italian cream sodas too!

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  • CopperLaneCopperLane member
    Definitely get hazelnut!!! If you can figure out the secret amazing hazelnut powder that coffee bean uses, you'll be set for life! That stuff is gold and they only sell it around Christmas which makes me grumpy because I moved into a state that doesn't have coffee bean and I miss their hazelnut coffee. That hazelnut powder is my only option to enjoy their hazelnut coffee :(

    I highly recommend using social media. Have an exclusive code word that will get your customers 10% off or a free flavor add in or something one day a week. It really makes the regulars feel special and it'll keep them coming in. I also like when places have daily flavors, like you can only get a red velvet donut on Fridays, etc.

    This is such an exciting move!!! Congrats!!!!
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  • VikingGirl12VikingGirl12 member
    edited November 2015
    When I think of coffee shop I go back to all of the hundreds of hours I spent in one studying while in college. The later the hours the better.

    I want it to be cozy and warm.

    I like mix and match mugs. I frequented a coffee shop in downtown Atlanta while I was a student at Ga State and it was modeled after the Friends coffee shop, Central Perk. It was our favorite place!!! All the mugs were different and I thought that added so much character.

    Snacks and food options are def neccessary for me. I want some cake with my coffee!

    this is so exciting! I hope everything goes well!!!
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  • Marisac888Marisac888 member
    One of my favorite coffee shops makes their own caramel syrup for the caramel lattes and it is the best! So much better than the fake stuff! I would also second the punch card/loyalty program. It keeps me going back to places!
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  • wbwellswbwells member
    The best coffee shop I've ever gone to was in my town at college, and it was opened until 11pm.  I know it's not ideal for everyone, but it was amazing being able to grab late night cup of coffee, especially considering every place else closes at 9 or 10. With you being in the shopping center you might get a ton of business of people who are out shopping late and want to grab a cup of coffee afterwards.  
    Like everyone else said- big comfy chairs, free wifi, music but not annoyingly loud.  Tables but not too many, a lot of people do enjoy just a small round table in the middle of a big group.  Magazines to read and i definitely second/third/fourth the punch card ;)  

    Good luck!!  
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  • mamadownmamadown member
    Lots of outlets for computers! There are never enough.
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  • j19mamaj19mama member
    How exciting for you!! I live in the SF Bay Area and I am a "Philz" lover. They do a huge amount of fancy-style pour over coffees from their own branded beans, etc. While I think this is a great idea for a market like San Francisco that's saturated with coffee houses and roasters, I don't think strictly pour-over is for everyone (they do make some lattes and mochas, too... It's just not what they're known for). My suggestion is to maybe offer one or two types of fancy beans pour-over style-- it's so fresh and delicious that way! Also, have your barista ask like Philz does; "how creamy and hot sweet?" So they're tailoring the cup of coffee to your taste. They have you take a sip to make sure you love it and then off you go. I think you can totally charge a premium for this and I bet you'll get a good amount of "drip" purchasers converted and hooked!

    Best of luck!!
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  • hellomommashellomommas member
    Thanks everybody! We do roast our own coffee. Of course I'm biased because I'm the wife but lots of great feedback over the past 3 years of owning a roastery. We distributed the coffee to restaurants and coffee shops in our area before this venture of our own... The top two restaurants in our city were also ones that served our coffee. (Not saying it was BECAUSE of our coffee but--- still good for the "resume")...: we will have drip coffee, pour overs, vacuum pots (never heard of it? It's crazy- look it up!)

    Thank you again! Lots of great ideas- most we have thought of but it's good to hear some positive reinforcement for the things that REALLY matter. You def have helped. Thank you!
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  • verilyverily member
    edited November 2015
    Good coffee beans are a must. In my college town, most of the coffee shops use local roasters and seem kind of proud about it too.

    A decent tea selection is nice too, even if it's just a couple flavors of Mighty Leaf or Tazo or Rishi or some other common brand.
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  • colesmom33colesmom33 member
    What a cool thing to do!!  I've never been a coffee drinker but would always meet friends at coffee houses.  I'm sure you've already thought of it, but I would say to have a few other options for those who don't drink coffee - hot chocolate, cider, maybe even soda.  I agree with everyone on the yummy food.   The coffee house around here that everyone goes to has ham and swiss croissants that are to die for!  Good luck with this new adventure!! 
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  • cattlebridecattlebride member
    Our coffee shop just closed in Kansas. I think you should move here! I love coffee big mugs. I like Carmel, vanilla, and pumpkin. I'm also a big fan of gutamalan coffee black. My absolute favorite coffee shop had a fireplace. So much fun.
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  • alylove11alylove11 member
    Late hours are nice, like open till 10.
    I know you can't control this too much, by turnover is huge for me. The Starbucks I go to always has new faces. When I ask for a vanilla mocha latte, they look at me like what? Only the regular baristas know what I'm asking for and do the right amount of pumps.


    I highly recommend a discount card or points rewards system. Lots of outlets, room to lounge that is comfy and cozy.

    Also, maybe for thanksgiving, do a but one get one for the homeless? I tend to do more/buy more from companies who give.

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  • chesterdoodlechesterdoodle member
    What's really helpful is being able to pay with your phone. Not sure if you live in a city with LevelUp but in Boston it's a cool app that you can use to buy food and coffee at local shops. The local restaurants can put out discounts or credits which you can see in your queue and is a good incentive to try somewhere new. Plus you can set up rewards programs for local customers through it. Not sure if your city has it or something similar, but it's definitely a good option to get your name out there if you have it.
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  • june2016babyjune2016baby member
    My favorite coffee shop has a little table for kids. It has a shelf beside it with books, coloring books, and crayons. I think there is also some simple puzzles.
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  • theatremandytheatremandy member
    The mom and pop shop down the street makes a killer Shamrock latte with Creme de Menthe. Man, I miss coffee, but it makes me so nauseous right now.
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  • alwaysabridesmaid1alwaysabridesmaid1 member
    I love the local art on the walls for sale at my coffee shop. Great way to connect with the community, and free decor ;) Also love that they know my order and when they see me in line they'll start prepping it while others are paying/etc.  Great croissants help too. (A good croissant is hard to find... but I will go to a different coffee shop just to get one when I'm craving it)
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