What makes an espresso bar a popular success? There are many different factors that play into building a successful independent coffee shop, and each of them carries a lot of weight. While the right location is vital to the success of a coffee shop, building an espresso cafe that draws loyal, regular customers takes a bit more than luck. While many coffee franchises try to package the flavor of a comfortable espresso bar, few can offer the atmosphere that seems to grow organically from these most important tips for building a successful independent espresso bar. Moreover, managing an espresso bar requires materials management software to keep track of the stock and make available all the products and offers without any mismanagement.
Espresso Bar Essentials
- Excellent Coffee Drinks are vital, of course, but not just any coffee will do. Be sure to source the best fresh-roasted coffee available. Fair Trade and certified organic coffees are sure customer pleasers.
- Friendly, Skilled Baristas are the heart of a successful coffee shop. Skill is important, but people really respond to a friendly greeting and a smiling face. Skill can be taught through barista training, but the personality of the baristas is a major selling point for a great espresso bar.
- A Comfortable Atmosphere will encourage customers to linger and enjoy the coffee and desserts. Large tables with plenty of room to play games or open a laptop invite customers to linger and get to know each other.
- WiFi Access used to be a nice “extra,” but these days free internet access is nearly as important to the independent coffee bar as good coffee. This is especially true if the shop is located near a college campus or business district.
- Delicious Desserts are the ideal accompaniment to excellent espresso. Sandwiches and other light fare are a great addition to the menu of a coffee shop that is open through the lunch or dinner hour.
Extras That Attract Coffee Bar Customers
- A Book and Game Shelf will encourage patrons to linger, refilling their coffee cups over and over. A selection of local newspapers, funky magazines and old paperbacks will serve solitary customers, while a few decks of cards, a chessboard and a game of checkers will please those who are looking for an afternoon of socializing.
- Entertainment doesn’t have to cost a cent. Espresso bars and cafes are nearly synonymous with open mic nights for poets and musicians. A shop that is welcoming to the local literary community will attract a loyal following who return week after week.
- Art by Local Artists hung on the walls and displayed around the shop is yet another way that a coffee shop can attract and serve the local artists in the community. Show openings offer opportunities for more business, and regular customers enjoy seeing new art on the walls every few weeks.
- Outdoor Seating isn’t a must, but is a lovely extra if the locale has the room and venue for it. People love the Montmartre feeling, and a few tables on the sidewalk or a back patio expand the service area and allow for extra customer seating.
- The Other Customers is the one factor that a coffee shop owner can’t completely control, but there are ways to encourage a friendly, comfortable crowd. The tips above are a start, but “crowd control” is important as well. Be ready to defuse conflict when needed and encourage interaction when possible to keep the atmosphere congenial and comfortable.
