Recent content by kimbica

pricing and increases Hi Susan, I opened my shop about 6 months ago and was worried that my pricing was a little high compared to many other indie shops in my city. But we have not really had any comments on our pricing being high. We serve a 16 oz, 2 shot latte with no flavors for $3.25...

URL for your opportunity not working Hey Bassman, I tried to copy and paste the URL you listed into my browser, to no avail. Maybe you should check it and be sure it works for others. If you can write some of the info about the offer on this thread I will offer you my opinion, for what it is...

syrups I use Monin Syrups but not exclusively. My sugar free are Torani and I use different brands for sauces, powders, etc. I think the Monin flavors are most true overall when compared to the other big brands. They are also a little more expensive and are thicker. Italian syrups are thinner...

warehouse club vs foodservice I use both a large foodservice provider and my local Costco Warehouse. I have found that some things are worthwhile to buy myself and get better prices and others are not realistically worth the effort. For example, I get most all my dairy delivered, including...

paper vs ceramic cups I recently opened my espresso bar and we offer both ceramic and paper. I had mugs made with my logo on them for both in-store use and for retail sales. I think people who are looking for cafes that differentiate themselves from ****bucks tend to like having ceramic in the...

to go cups Hi Kim! I agree with others about not using styrofoam, and I think the best option is definitely to encourage in-house espresso drinking from small ceramic or glass demis; however, for those insisting on a tiny drink to go, a 4 oz paper cup is doable. I think solo makes one and most...

websites Hi Zander3, Check out lollicup.com, they have decent prices on straws, cups, lids, etc. They sell those tapioca balls for bubble tea primarily but also have good fat straws for smoothies and reasonable rates for cups. The best prices for these items and flavoring syrups/powders/sauces...

franchise? Hi Jug-A-Joe, My opinion is go Indie all the way. I have investigated franchise opportunities and the costs are high with minimal reduction in risk. The coffee world is really too diverse to bank on a franchise, and the fees and other costs involved are prohibitive - if you fail in...

ice machine Thanks Neglid, However where I live it is not legal to install the water cooled machines - this is a borderline desert in AZ and we have to have air cooled machines to conserve water. I think I might go for an "undercounter" Manitowoc or IceOMatic that is rated to make about 365...

name, vendor deal Hi Greg, I agree with the other posters that this purchase seems unwise. You will have many other expenses to contend with and a name means precious little unless it is really large and/or backed by a regional or national ad campaign. Your potential business consultant may be...

ice machine Thanks Jackson! I have been advised by a local owner that I will need 300 lbs daily in the summertime in a thriving shop here. Now, I really don't know how to estimate how busy I will be and how fast my business will grow, but if another busy store here (over 400K yearly sales)...

Thanks for your responses, guys! I appreciate your insights. I do think I am going to buy all my equipment outright, even if if means more work for me. I want to learn how to take care of all the stuff so that I can have this knowledge to apply to future endeavors, such as expanding to more...

Hi everybody, I have a question for those of you already operating your own shops: what size ice machine do you use or recommend? (in case yours is too small or too large) I am in a hot part of the country so I will need a lot of ice, especially in the summers; however, I'd hate to go overboard...

Hi everyone, I have a question for those of you already operating your own shops: what size ice machine do you use/recommend? I am in a hot part of the country so I will need a lot of ice, especially in the summers; however, I'd hate to go overboard and never see the bottom of the bin. Any...

article Hey Topher, thanks for the entertaining story! That actually put a grin on my face, as much as I "love" what Sbux has done for our market. (; Is it common for coffeeshops to have multiple health code violations, or maybe just in NYC where the buildings are so old? I always have the...