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What attracts you to a cafe/bar.

post #1 of 45
2/25/11 at 7:58pm
Thread Starter 
So I am working on a Business plan on a Cafe I would like to open. I already have a lot of ideas on what I want. It is going to be more of a cafe like you would see in France in that I would also be selling wine, beer(imports and Mircobrews), and possibly a few liquors. There will be breakfast items and simple foods.
My goal is to make it a nice hang out spot with tables that have chessboards, backgammon, checkers and similar games on them. I plan to have bookshelves with used books which people will have the option to buy. There will also be spot for live music.
I also want to get a feel of what others look for in this kind of place. What kinds of foods and drinks do you like? Are there certain looks that turn you away from a place? Stuff like that. I appreciate any comments.
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post #2 of 45
2/25/11 at 8:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jokerman View Post
So I am working on a Business plan on a Cafe I would like to open. I already have a lot of ideas on what I want. It is going to be more of a cafe like you would see in France in that I would also be selling wine, beer(imports and Mircobrews), and possibly a few liquors. There will be breakfast items and simple foods.
My goal is to make it a nice hang out spot with tables that have chessboards, backgammon, checkers and similar games on them. I plan to have bookshelves with used books which people will have the option to buy. There will also be spot for live music.
I also want to get a feel of what others look for in this kind of place. What kinds of foods and drinks do you like? Are there certain looks that turn you away from a place? Stuff like that. I appreciate any comments.

where is probably the first question I would ask.
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post #3 of 45
2/25/11 at 8:43pm
Thread Starter 
Well I am leaning towards where I live right know which is Chapel Hill, NC.
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post #4 of 45
2/25/11 at 9:52pm
For me it would definitely be attractive decor, comfortable place to sit, and free wifi. Good coffee helps.
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post #5 of 45
2/25/11 at 10:53pm
What draws me in is the ambiance and seeing that the cafe is busy, I take high turnover rate as a sign of quality in most cases. What keeps me coming is good coffee/tea, and one item that is the best in town by far and sets your place apart (i.e. a variety of quiche or a sandwich ONLY served at your place). One deli that I frequent, the main reason I choose to eat there instead of elsewhere is a sandwich only served there that is absolutely perfect in my opinion.
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post #6 of 45
2/25/11 at 11:06pm
nice chairs. you gotta have nice, comfortable chairs.
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post #7 of 45
2/25/11 at 11:13pm
Quality service is more important to me than anything else.
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post #8 of 45
2/25/11 at 11:22pm
fresh sandwiches/pastries etc. I detest places that have stale or limp food.
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post #9 of 45
2/25/11 at 11:33pm
These answers are all ridiculous. Only 3 reasons anyone every goes to a cafe: 1)Location - its next to wherever you are and it looks halfway decent 2)Specials - 2 for 1 drinks? I'm there! 3)Hot women and men - As a wise entrepreneur once told me "Beautiful = Business"
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post #10 of 45
2/25/11 at 11:42pm
read these http://eater.com/archives/2010/12/08...-damn-long.php http://eater.com/archives/2010/12/09...erfect-cup.php i'd like to see properly trained baristas. get a nice espresso machine, pour overs, french press, and then train your baristas how to use them correctly. roast your own beans or find ppl you trust to roast them. grind the beans the right size. time the brews. be conscious of temperature. get correct bloom for the pour overs. its the little things that count. try and educate the consumers on what good quality coffee is (but without overt pretentiousness). have weekly tastings. but have simple good quality drip coffee (no shitty acidic aftertaste) for ppl who could care less. sell small hand grinders, pourovers, and small bags of roasted beans. offer discount on ones that are 3+ weeks old. sell tea by the pot (use cozies) and have some nice stuff like FTGFOP grade or good aged pu erh. weekly tasting would be awesome. i think it also depends on your target consumer. if they're cheap college kids then simple food with affordable ingredients. if they're young professionals simple food with good quality ingredients (local or made on site). like 5, 6 ingredients per food item. if you're going to make a bar at least make sure the bartenders can make the classics well and understand mixology. you stir drinks that are clear, shake drinks that aren't (eg has fruit (like lemon) juice).
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post #11 of 45
2/25/11 at 11:44pm
Cheap drinks, next to other bars with cheap drinks, not full of ugly chavs. Pretty much the same as Rambo.
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post #12 of 45
2/25/11 at 11:53pm
Thread Starter 
Comfortable seating is definitely something I am planning on. What I have in mind for the decor I feel will be pretty welcoming to all. The area I am in is perfect for this kind of business in my opinion. There will definitely be competition but I feel what I would be offering will be more appealing then the others. Fresh Sandwiches are one of the things I planned on offering. There are a few places in town that offer great fresh produce, meats, etc that I would use for such sandwiches. As far as fresh pastries I would most definitely have although I havent decided if they would be made in house or if I would get them delivered early in the mornings from a local pastry shop which has phenomenal baked goods.
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post #13 of 45
2/26/11 at 12:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by indesertum View Post
read these

http://eater.com/archives/2010/12/08...-damn-long.php
http://eater.com/archives/2010/12/09...erfect-cup.php

i'd like to see properly trained baristas. get a nice espresso machine, pour overs, french press, and then train your baristas how to use them correctly. roast your own beans or find ppl you trust to roast them. grind the beans the right size. time the brews. be conscious of temperature. get correct bloom for the pour overs. its the little things that count. try and educate the consumers on what good quality coffee is (but without overt pretentiousness). have weekly tastings. but have simple good quality drip coffee (no shitty acidic aftertaste) for ppl who could care less. sell small hand grinders, pourovers, and small bags of roasted beans. offer discount on ones that are 3+ weeks old.

sell tea by the pot (use cozies) and have some nice stuff like FTGFOP grade or good aged pu erh. weekly tasting would be awesome.

i think it also depends on your target consumer. if they're cheap college kids then simple food with affordable ingredients. if they're young professionals simple food with good quality ingredients (local or made on site). like 5, 6 ingredients per food item.

if you're going to make a bar at least make sure the bartenders can make the classics well and understand mixology. you stir drinks that are clear, shake drinks that aren't (eg has fruit (like lemon) juice).

Very good tips thank you. I especially like the one about the tea. As far as the bar goes I want to try and keep the mixed drinks to a minimum. It seems that beer and wine are more popular in my location. Being OCD it is very important that things are done right so a good bartender along with all other employees is a must.
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post #14 of 45
2/26/11 at 12:30am
I would go around and test out different cafe's in your area, just to get a feel for what you like and don't like. Bring a notebook to write in, so you don't forget. Think about decor and ambiance. I think music is a big component to the ambiance, maybe have an ipod in the corner where anyone can choose the song/playlist they want to listen to. I think the number one reason are going to come to yours, instead of someone else's cafe, is because of the food/coffee. I really like the feel of this cafe in the State Farm commercial
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post #15 of 45
2/26/11 at 12:32am
Also daily specials that are written on a chalk board out front is nice too.
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