What is it that makes you want to go to your local coffee shop? Even if you could easily make your own coffee at home, there is something about coffee shops that is entirely drawing. I have mentioned once before that Starbucks is my favorite coffee shop. Being a fairly extreme coffee junkie, I believe this is a very good feat.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t like Starbucks because it is “the place to go”. Being popular would normally sway me away from such shops (Ok, well, maybe not just because they have coffee. But I would frown upon them). No, I will tell you what Starbucks has done to maximize customer approval. If you are influential in a coffee shop set up, I recommend you follow these peaks.
Things you want in a coffee shop (perfected by Starbucks):
1. Good Coffee
Ok well, that was a given. Good coffee = good coffee shop. We can taste good quality, believe me. Don’t cheap out here.
2. Staff
Nobody likes when you have a grumpy barista. If the staff is always in a good mood, the entire shop atmosphere comes off well. At Starbucks the baristas joke around, make conversation with the customers, and always seem to be in a good mood (who wouldn’t be happy when surrounded by coffee?).
3. Music
Background music is always a nice touch to have, but beware, not everyone likes the same style. For a coffee shop it is best when either a) You have a mix of different styles of well-known songs or b) Have exotic music or c) instrumental music. Whatever music you decide on, this music should be “chill out” music. Make people feel relaxed. Personally, when I go to Starbucks I love hearing music I never have heard before. And it’s NOT MAINSTREAM MUSIC.
Oh, and don’t play it too loud. People talk in coffee shops. Because talking is such an essential piece of coffee shop visiting, having sound absorbers around the shop will make everyone more comfortable.
4. Style
Style is a HUGE influence in what coffee shops people will visit. There are a few different style points that are a must: lighting, seating, plugs and cups. Have you ever noticed you like coffee shops with mood lighting? Or close to it? Dim lighting is very comforting.Florecent lights are a HUGE no-no; they give people headaches. Just have the lighting bright enough to read (It’s one of a coffee shop normal’s normal pastimes). Seating: People need to have selection on seating. Some people came to relax, some to have a heart-to-heart, some to work…. not everyone wants a wooden chair (although they are necessary to the working coffee drinker). Have bar stools. Have comfy chairs. Starbucks has nicely pinpointed this diverse sitting. Plugs… ok, must I explain my reasoning? Good coffee shops = hipster hotspot = MacBooks. End of explanation. As for cups, they are the trademark of the store. People want a stylin’ cup to take around and show off to people. And if they’re sitting in the store, people enjoy using ceramics. They increase the comfort feeling.
5. No Time Limit
As I mentioned earlier, many people go to coffee shops for long talks or to work. People do NOT want to feel rushed. This is where Tim Hortons broke its last straw as a hang out spot choice for me. Besides, if someone sits there long enough smelling coffee, they’ll probably buy another.
Personally I will spend my day in a coffee shop because I find I can focus and relax well in them. If people know they can stay for as long as they want, it is more likely they will go to that coffee shop.
6.Internet
It’s the internet; a necessary for almost everything nowadays. If people want to work or just relax, internet is a must. People flock to coffee shops with fast internet.
After reading through this I hope you see why Starbucks is the winner of all coffee shops so far for me; it has excelled in all areas.
Although if you have never tried Pam’s, I suggested it. It surprisingly has good coffee.
