Are coffee shops actually viable?
Discussion
Coffee shops are definitely viable of course they are...but I feel with them the location is absolutely key. It’s so so important to the success or failure. An independent coffee shop opened on my housing estate a year ago and it’s been a roaring success. Really busy all the time but there are hundreds of new homes being built so a lot of people around who fancy a coffee without having to travel to town. It’s a good coffee shop as well (that helps) the coffee is amazing, service really friendly and they do some nice locally made cakes and a little bit of hot food and alcohol too. It’s got quite a community feel to it. As I say though it’s all about the location. This is where costa are so strong.
I live in a nice tourist town so lots of coffee shops. At last count I believe 50% are for sale.
Costa is always busy, a chap opened a coffee shop next door to them and he lasted 6 months. My son (secondary school age) and his friends always go to Costa to meet-up, they never meet in one of the independents.
My Mrs toyed with the idea but you do need to open all weekends and bank holidays if in a tourist or busy town location.
Costa is always busy, a chap opened a coffee shop next door to them and he lasted 6 months. My son (secondary school age) and his friends always go to Costa to meet-up, they never meet in one of the independents.
My Mrs toyed with the idea but you do need to open all weekends and bank holidays if in a tourist or busy town location.
oddball1313 said:
Have a decent and creative kids menu rather than the usual run of the mill junk most places do, will definitely help pull punters in.
The problem there is that at what point do you just call it a cafe? I would say a "Coffee shop" was more about the sitting/chatting/coffee/snack than the full dining experience... A client of mine (financial planning) owns a coffee shop in a perfect little posh town for such things. They made their wealth elsewhere, this won't make you rich.
If it's viable to run one....coke money will be there via Costa (or Starbucks) and they are just hard to beat. People think they will gain from the "family feel indy" vibe against the big nasty chain but Costa have really nailed the right image in the UK. People don't see them like a McDonalds V a indy cafe. Costa are regarded as a nice place to go and sit and chill and chat......maybe even MORE SO than an indy where you feel like you're taking up space if you stay too long V Costa which is almost built around people sitting and spending time.
Not to mention the zillion Costa Express machines and having their own beans in the supply chain.....VERY hard to beat.
We have a retirement fantasy of running a cafe/coffee shop......but seeing what I've seen, it's staying a fun fantasy.
If it's viable to run one....coke money will be there via Costa (or Starbucks) and they are just hard to beat. People think they will gain from the "family feel indy" vibe against the big nasty chain but Costa have really nailed the right image in the UK. People don't see them like a McDonalds V a indy cafe. Costa are regarded as a nice place to go and sit and chill and chat......maybe even MORE SO than an indy where you feel like you're taking up space if you stay too long V Costa which is almost built around people sitting and spending time.
Not to mention the zillion Costa Express machines and having their own beans in the supply chain.....VERY hard to beat.
We have a retirement fantasy of running a cafe/coffee shop......but seeing what I've seen, it's staying a fun fantasy.
I always wondered how a cycling based coffee shop would do. Of course you need to be on a main cycling route ( or create a bunch of Strava segments near you ! ) but the client base would be ideal. Quick coffee - energy drink, cake or flapjack then off again. Sell energy gels/inner tubes etc as a sideline.
No hogging of seats nursing a skinny latte all day. You could have an espresso bar/window with stools for the quick stoppers. Equip with some tools and bike stands, call it something 'bikey' and job done.
My consultancy rates are very reasonable
No hogging of seats nursing a skinny latte all day. You could have an espresso bar/window with stools for the quick stoppers. Equip with some tools and bike stands, call it something 'bikey' and job done.
My consultancy rates are very reasonable
gifdy said:
I always wondered how a cycling based coffee shop would do. Of course you need to be on a main cycling route ( or create a bunch of Strava segments near you ! ) but the client base would be ideal. Quick coffee - energy drink, cake or flapjack then off again. Sell energy gels/inner tubes etc as a sideline.
No hogging of seats nursing a skinny latte all day. You could have an espresso bar/window with stools for the quick stoppers. Equip with some tools and bike stands, call it something 'bikey' and job done.
My consultancy rates are very reasonable
https://www.facebook.com/TheCommuteyorkshire/No hogging of seats nursing a skinny latte all day. You could have an espresso bar/window with stools for the quick stoppers. Equip with some tools and bike stands, call it something 'bikey' and job done.
My consultancy rates are very reasonable
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff