People and Product.
Throughout this blog, I talk about “my shop.”
“At my shop, I want to see this…”
“At my shop, I’ll have that…”
Well…I don’t have a shop. Yet. But the dream is there, and growing every day. Touring other shops, tasting other brands, and a little bit of online research have all started to add up to my overall vision.
I have certain non-negotiables that will make up the foundation of my coffee shop. These points will, hopefully, spell success and longevity.
– Community-focused. As close as my customers, as wide as the farms from where my coffee will be purchased. Offering a comfortable shop with exceptional product won’t be a dream. It will be fact. Nothing less than top quality product served in an atmosphere where families can meet and where friends can gather. In a wider scope, buying from farms that supply only the best possible coffee beans, produced in a responsible and sustainable manner. Ensuring the farmers are paid a fair and acceptable wage is paramount. Buying from a farm that produces a sustainable crop year-after-year is a must. Of course, quality is a focus as well, using the freshest, best quality beans in season to provide an unmatched cup of coffee, cup after cup after cup.
– Access to a local high school and/or college. Reaching out to young artists and musicians and inviting them into my shop to share their craft. Hanging pictures on my walls, holding art showcases, open mic nights, and providing for them a place to possibly sell their work and help jump-start their future success.
– Product knowledge. As mentioned in many other posts, my employees would be required to know everything there is to know about the product they are selling. I will also offer to my customers regular classes where they can come participate in coffee cuppings, product sampling, and region education. I want to be as transparent as possible about the products I will offer, educating each customer about why that particular pound of coffee is worth a purchase. I’ll explain how a particular food item, whether a baked good, a dessert, a fruit, or even a cheese can be paired with a coffee to highlight and accent particular flavors in both the bean and the food.
– Offering coffee brewing equipment and merchandise. If you like what you drink at my shop, I will offer the tools and education to brew your best at home. It’s not always possible to travel to your local coffee shop every single day, so bringing it home with you shouldn’t be an exercise in futility and frustration. My customers will have access to the best home brewing equipment and information so you’re never too far from a delicious cup of coffee.
In a nutshell, this is the beginning of my vision fleshed-out. These will be the four corners of the foundation to my business.
I would love to hear some outside thoughts and opinions! Sound off below and let me know how you’d like to see these grow into the ideal coffee shop.
See you next time, friends!
Of Life and Coffee 