I coulda swore I've posted this like five times on Hubski, but it ain't showing. I coulda swore I've made you read it at least three times, in which case, apologies for the fourth. I would bet on a coffee shop before I'd bet on anything else and I'd bet on a coffee shop next to a Starbuck's before I'd bet on a coffee shop somewhere else. Let them do the market research and then bleed customers to shop owners sick of burnt beans. And hey. Maybe in a few months me and ButterflyEffect will hop on the train and come visit your ass. I've just got to open my own ridiculous six-figure venture first. Congratulations. It's gonna be awesome.According to recent figures from the Specialty Coffee Association of America, 57 percent of the nation's coffeehouses are still mom and pops. Just over the five-year period from 2000 to 2005—long after Starbucks supposedly obliterated indie cafes—the number of mom and pops grew 40 percent, from 9,800 to nearly 14,000 coffeehouses. (Starbucks, I might add, tripled in size over that same time period. Good times all around.) So much for the sharp decline in locally owned coffee shops. And prepare yourself for some bona fide solid investment advice: The failure rate for new coffeehouses is a mere 10 percent, according to the market research firm Mintel, which means the vast majority of cafes stay afloat no matter where Starbucks drops its stores. Compare that to the restaurant business, where failure is the norm.
You'll like this, Starbucks trying to negotiate the purchase of a plot of land down the block from my shop. Lots of neighbors are unhappy about it but I've repeatedly said there is plenty of room for me and a charcoal water shop in the area. Don't think I've mentioned it but there is also a 5000 student Catholic University near by to which I'm the closest coffee shop not run by their commissary.
Yeah, companies like Starbucks are notorious for pulling crap like that. It sounds like this might actually be a mixed blessing for you. If the idea is already upsetting your neighbours, it sounds like they're supportive of local businesses and just by choosing to exist in the same neighbourhood, Starbucks is helping you ossify loyal customers. At the same time, Starbucks is insanely popular and they get BUSY. During their peak hours, they'll have lines out the door. This could be an actual win for you, because once people start to know that you exist, during those peak times they won't want to wait at Starbucks so they'll come to you. I can honestly say, half the time my lunch decision is based solely on which restaurant seems the least busy at the moment. Shit. That sounds like shooting fish in a barrel right there. Have you thought about what you'll do to market to those students? Like maybe an open mic night or something?You'll like this, Starbucks trying to negotiate the purchase of a plot of land down the block from my shop. Lots of neighbors are unhappy about it but I've repeatedly said there is plenty of room for me and a charcoal water shop in the area.
Don't think I've mentioned it but there is also a 5000 student Catholic University near by to which I'm the closest coffee shop not run by their commissary.
Probably by screaming strange things and discounts on YikYak at them. They don't seem like a big open mic crowd.Shit. That sounds like shooting fish in a barrel right there. Have you thought about what you'll do to market to those students? Like maybe an open mic night or something?
"CAFFEINE BITCHES! COME GET YOURS! 20% OFF YOUR FIRST CUP OF COFFEE! YOU WANT IT CAUSE REDBULL TASTES LIKE SHIT!" "FUCK CORPORATE AMERICA! TELL STARBUCKS TO SIT ON IT AND SPIN! BUY MY COFFEE INSTEAD!" "FINALS DRAGGING YOU DOWN? TRY COCAINE! DON'T HAVE ANY? I HAVE THE NEXT BEST THING! MUTHAFUCKINGCAFFEINEDAWG!!!!"Probably by screaming strange things and discounts on YikYak at them.
Hell yes we will. I'm glad locally owned places are thriving. I've actually found a great roaster over in Olympia. Working in the industry is weird because ultimately the stuff cgod and other locals are doing is what I love, and yet I'm the competition to that. Hard to resolve.