The coffee shop market in the United States is one of the largest in the world. The overall market value of coffee shops reached $47 billion in 2019. But when the pandemic hit, the market fell, reducing that market value to $36 billion in 2020. Now it’s poised to recover and become more prominent than before.
Starbucks dominates the market, but there is room for artisanal coffee shops in the market. These coffee ships focus on quality over quantity. If you’re thinking of starting an artisanal coffee shop, here are the five essentials you need to make it successful:
A Good Location
Every good coffee shop must have a good location. The ideal location has three elements: foot traffic, parking, and accessibility.
Foot Traffic
Foot traffic is defined as the number of pedestrians that walk by your shop. The more foot traffic, the better. More foot traffic means more potential customers. Areas with good foot traffic include busy streets near public transportation and office buildings.
Parking
While not all coffee shops need to have their parking lot, it is a good idea to have some parking available for customers. It’s especially true if your shop is in a busy area with limited street parking. People will flock to your shop just for the parking alone.
Accessibility
Your coffee shop should be accessible to all potential customers. This includes those with disabilities. Make sure your shop has a ramp or an elevator if it is located on a higher level.
An Inviting Atmosphere
The atmosphere of your coffee shop should be inviting and comfortable. It should be a place where people want to stay and relax. Creating an inviting atmosphere requires more than just furnishing your shop with comfortable furniture. It also means having the proper lighting, music, and decor.
You can also be rustic with your choices. You can use reclaimed wood for various furniture, have Edison bulbs for your lighting, and use mason jars for your cups. You can install an old jukebox to complete the aesthetic.
Remember, it’s all about standing out and making your space unique.
A Unique Concept
Your coffee shop needs to stand out from the competition. Offering unique coffees and pastries will help you attract customers. But you also need to have a unique atmosphere. Creating a cozy and inviting space will make your customers want to come back.
You can start a unique concept by experimenting. But first of all, you need to purchase a coffee machine to help you out. There is a lot of commercial coffee machine for sale on the internet. Choose the one that will suit your needs. Make sure that it can make different types of coffee. You should also get a machine that is easy to operate.
If you want to experiment with your coffees, you can start by making cold brews and nitro coffees. These are two of the trendiest coffees right now. But don’t stop there. Get creative and come up with your unique blends. Ensure that you have unique blends because artisan coffee is all about.
Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans
The quality of your coffee beans will have a significant impact on the taste of your coffee. That’s why you should only use freshly roasted coffee beans. It is best to buy them in small batches so you can always have fresh coffee. You can roast the beans yourself or buy them from a local roaster.
You should also have a variety of beans to choose from. It will allow you to make different blends of coffee. Experiment with the beans and find the perfect roast for each one.
Some of the best coffee beans include:
- Colombian coffee beans
- Kenyan coffee beans
- Ethiopian coffee beans
- Hawaiian coffee beans
Try these beans out in your shop and see which fits your customer’s palette.
Good Customer Service
Customer service is essential in any business but is imperative in the coffee industry. People go to coffee shops to relax and socialize. That’s why you must ensure your customers have a good experience.
Start by training your employees on how to make coffee properly. They should also be able to answer any questions that customers may have. In addition, they should be friendly and accommodating.
Your employees should also know how to handle difficult situations. For example, customers should know how to diffuse the situation if they are angry or upset.
It is also essential to have a good return policy. It will show your customers that you are confident in your product and willing to stand behind it.
By following these tips, you can create a successful coffee shop. Just remember to invest in these essentials and always put your customers first. Before you know it, your coffee shop has become an industry leader.
