Coffee Shop...
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
A new coffee shop recently opened not too far from the junior college. They are offering free high-speed internet access, even have loaner wireless cards for people with laptops. They are doing a huge business...students fill the place in the late afternoon and evening and the coffee shop has the typical early AM and lunch business.
Best of luck on your new venture.
Best of luck on your new venture.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
Re: One Word!
Originally posted by Oceanwave
Starbucks
JK
Starbucks
JK
Because of companies like them, people like our friend Chevysniper have to struggle to stay in business and nobody can get ahead, because Starbucks/Walmart/etc. have the credit and the capital to shut them down.
I wish there were more independently owned shops these days...
XXL
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: Oxford, Alabama
Lets See
I agree with all that has been said. Have you considered moving to Alabama. The Waffle Houses could use the compitition. Oh and one more thing...LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. LOCATION...well I think you get the idea.
oh and the comment that gkbid made is a new item going around but its huge. Anyplace around here that has the internet access is cooking.
oh and the comment that gkbid made is a new item going around but its huge. Anyplace around here that has the internet access is cooking.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
From: Ventura CA
Don't lose your soul in the quest for $$$. Get ready for lots of work (24/7 if you're the owner). I lived in BB for a while. Great place. Good friends of mine own the Log Cabin. FTE user Ironbelly lives up there, too. Good luck. Keep us posted on how it's going and let us know the name and address. I'll come in next time I'm on the hill.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear, CA
dumptech...thanks for the info...I'll be opening the shop up in Barstow though...I live up here and property values have at least tripled, that's how I will have money for the shop..
believe me, I won't lose my soul...always keep the perspective God first, Family, Ford, then everything else..heh heh
believe me, I won't lose my soul...always keep the perspective God first, Family, Ford, then everything else..heh heh
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear, CA
It's only an hour, but I'll probably sell my house up here and build down there...$60 per square foot...can't beat that..
there aren't any other coffee shops down there except for a $tarbuck$ about 15 mins away in Lenwood. I plan on having wireless internet and a buunch of other ideas that I probably shouldn't share on here in case of compitition..hehheh
All of you guys have been giving pretty good advice and most of it I already have in my business plan and will be implemented. Thanks a lot and keep the ideas coming....
there aren't any other coffee shops down there except for a $tarbuck$ about 15 mins away in Lenwood. I plan on having wireless internet and a buunch of other ideas that I probably shouldn't share on here in case of compitition..hehheh
All of you guys have been giving pretty good advice and most of it I already have in my business plan and will be implemented. Thanks a lot and keep the ideas coming....
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Lower Rainland British Columbia, Canada
Sorry to ruffle the feathers XXL
I thought *tarbucks was a franchise like Subway, Mac's or Quiznos. They are where I live anyway. It's kind of like owning a Gas Station; there are some rules but it's still your business. Not at all like ***** Walmart.
JK
JK
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: NC
I agree with the advise above
As an avid coffe drinker any traveller I have been in many independent shops. The only thing I have to say that really seperates the good ones from the bad ones is the shot quality. I have had my fair share of short pours, long pours, and poor temperatures. The quality of the espresso is the most important thing to me outside the general ambiance of the facility.
Unfortunately that is what I see in Starbucks success. They almost always provide the same taste and quality product at every franchise.
just my .02
As an avid coffe drinker any traveller I have been in many independent shops. The only thing I have to say that really seperates the good ones from the bad ones is the shot quality. I have had my fair share of short pours, long pours, and poor temperatures. The quality of the espresso is the most important thing to me outside the general ambiance of the facility.
Unfortunately that is what I see in Starbucks success. They almost always provide the same taste and quality product at every franchise.
just my .02
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear, CA
you guys are right about $tarbuck$...their success does derive from consistentcy...
fortunately I am going to hire the guy that trained one of the $tarbuck$ founders. He has owned and opened a bunch of shops so hopefully that puts me a step ahead..
fortunately I am going to hire the guy that trained one of the $tarbuck$ founders. He has owned and opened a bunch of shops so hopefully that puts me a step ahead..
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Homer, Alaska
The nice thing about owning your own business is you only have to work a half day. The hard part is deciding which 12 hour shift you want to work. Oh yeah, that's also not M-F, it's M-S. There are advantages to starting a business, but be prepared for a lot of work. I found that the best thing I did was to buy my own building. If you are paying rent, it really makes it hard to get things going.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear, CA
hreed
great advice...I already work 12 hours a day, but the difference is I could be with my family for those extra 12. I don't know if I have the capital right now to buy a building (or build) in the right location. I would probably have to lease for a little while until it gets off the ground. I do agree that owning would be a lot better, but I just don't know if I could do it right away.
I'm no stranger to hard work, I just look forward to working for myself....
how was the jump from a paycheck to owning your own business?
I'm no stranger to hard work, I just look forward to working for myself....
how was the jump from a paycheck to owning your own business?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Homer, Alaska
Actually I am doing both. I have a job, my wife owns the art gallery. After 13 years, it is paying for itself, but it never would have happened if I didn't have a job. The other thing that made it work was I was able to do all the repairs and mods on the building without a permit or hiring contractors. Most places will not allow that. We did about $100k of repairs and mods for about $30k because of that. The reason we bought our own building was because of the rent. We were paying $1.05 sq/ft (about 2000 ft) for a long time. When we bought the building, our "rent" went from 2200 to 1500 and we started building equity. It made a big difference on the spread sheet. But in the long run, I wish she would have gone to work for the city or some such thing. Artists! What can you say?
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis, Maryland
Re: Sorry to ruffle the feathers XXL
Originally posted by Oceanwave
I thought *tarbucks was a franchise like Subway, Mac's or Quiznos. They are where I live anyway. It's kind of like owning a Gas Station; there are some rules but it's still your business. Not at all like ***** Walmart.
JK
I thought *tarbucks was a franchise like Subway, Mac's or Quiznos. They are where I live anyway. It's kind of like owning a Gas Station; there are some rules but it's still your business. Not at all like ***** Walmart.
JK
However, I still feel that $4 for some chocolate flavored coffee is a rip
XXL
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear, CA
my rent would only be .60 per square foot...which comes out to about $1004 w/cam per month. I don't think there is any way for me to do both. I already work a ton of hours at my job, I wouldn't have anything left by the end of the day. My wife and I have a (just turned) two year old and raising her is the most important thing to us. If my wife isn't with her, I am.
It's a tuff decision, probably one of the hardest that I've ever made. So I really appreciate all the advice from you guys..
It's a tuff decision, probably one of the hardest that I've ever made. So I really appreciate all the advice from you guys..