RedHouse
New member
Hi everyone!
My husband and I are working toward opening a coffee shop at the end of the summer next year. We have a location secured, but it needs a lot of work. It's a small, older house, but in good shape. We actually own the company that owns the property, so we have lots of flexibility.
The potential site is on a busy street, across from a strip mall with several restaurants and a call center employing several hundred people. There is a new apartment complex diagonally across the street and there seems to be lots of neighborhood traffic - although none of it is foot traffic. The location isn't *perfect*, I'll admit because of the lack of foot traffic, but I'm hoping we can take advantage of the employees across the street, along with the neighborhood traffic and the countless students in need of a study/meeting location.
We really want to create a place where the love of coffee brings community together. We want to have great coffee, fun pastries - possibly donuts by a, no kidding, donut artist in the area, and some sandwiches/salads. So, here's where we are: We are learning as much as we can about the coffee industry.
I currently work as a barista for a great, mom & pop shop that produces phenomenal coffee and I've learned so much there. Because they roast their own coffee, I'd love to start by using their coffee, but that will depend on them. I'm planning to further my coffee training by taking a few classes as well as take a trip to a coffee trade show next year. I have an idea about what equipment I'd like to use, but it's all top of the line stuff and I don't know if I'm overreaching by going all out initially - which brings me to the lease vs buy question for the equipment.
We are somewhat familiar with the lease situation as my husband has dealt with that in other industries. I'm assuming I can find out more about these companies at the trade shows. My hubby knows several companies to consult, but I'm happy to hear your suggestions as well.
We are doing lots of research toward completing a business plan with the hope it will help us secure funding to purchase the things we need to start and complete necessary renovations.We are trying to configure the coffee bar/retail area of the house without removing walls.
I'd love to know if you've visited an old house converted into a shop. How was the layout configured? Were the rooms of the house left intact or did the owner remove walls to create a larger space? The rooms are smaller than I'd like, but we CAN take walls out... It's just that I'd rather use that money elsewhere right now.
So, whaddaya think? I'm happy to hear your criticisms and your suggestions. Thanks so much!
My husband and I are working toward opening a coffee shop at the end of the summer next year. We have a location secured, but it needs a lot of work. It's a small, older house, but in good shape. We actually own the company that owns the property, so we have lots of flexibility.
The potential site is on a busy street, across from a strip mall with several restaurants and a call center employing several hundred people. There is a new apartment complex diagonally across the street and there seems to be lots of neighborhood traffic - although none of it is foot traffic. The location isn't *perfect*, I'll admit because of the lack of foot traffic, but I'm hoping we can take advantage of the employees across the street, along with the neighborhood traffic and the countless students in need of a study/meeting location.
We really want to create a place where the love of coffee brings community together. We want to have great coffee, fun pastries - possibly donuts by a, no kidding, donut artist in the area, and some sandwiches/salads. So, here's where we are: We are learning as much as we can about the coffee industry.
I currently work as a barista for a great, mom & pop shop that produces phenomenal coffee and I've learned so much there. Because they roast their own coffee, I'd love to start by using their coffee, but that will depend on them. I'm planning to further my coffee training by taking a few classes as well as take a trip to a coffee trade show next year. I have an idea about what equipment I'd like to use, but it's all top of the line stuff and I don't know if I'm overreaching by going all out initially - which brings me to the lease vs buy question for the equipment.
We are somewhat familiar with the lease situation as my husband has dealt with that in other industries. I'm assuming I can find out more about these companies at the trade shows. My hubby knows several companies to consult, but I'm happy to hear your suggestions as well.
We are doing lots of research toward completing a business plan with the hope it will help us secure funding to purchase the things we need to start and complete necessary renovations.We are trying to configure the coffee bar/retail area of the house without removing walls.
I'd love to know if you've visited an old house converted into a shop. How was the layout configured? Were the rooms of the house left intact or did the owner remove walls to create a larger space? The rooms are smaller than I'd like, but we CAN take walls out... It's just that I'd rather use that money elsewhere right now.
So, whaddaya think? I'm happy to hear your criticisms and your suggestions. Thanks so much!
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). This shop was phenomenal and was a converted house. They had knocked out all of the walls in the front of the house and built a little sitting bar where the center wall once ran. It was a wonderful place! They had a huge porch for sitting and sipping and listening to live music.
