Favourite Coffee Shops

[Epiphany74]

I'm taking over a coffee shop next week and I want to introduce some new ideas and make it a reall ynice place to chill, hang out and relax with friends.

What do you like best about good coffee shops? What's really great? Any quirky ideas? What are the things that make you want to go to one place and not to another? What do you think are bad things in a coffee shop? Would you go to a night out in a coffee shop - quiz night or karaoke?

Music? Fairtrade Coffee? Big Cakes? Staff? Display? Kids Options? Magazines? Book Shelf? Any ideas or suggestions gratefully received.

[joko]

i think there are too many of the 'ikea-esque' looking places.

try something i bit more personal, not like you just stuck a pin in a catalogue.

don't try to copy or compete with starbucks, costa etc

how about rich warm colours, terracotta, yellow, orange - maybe go further and have a vague mexican or mediterranean feel (not a theme though, just a vibe)

be inventive in a non intrusive way.

trawl quirky antique stores and get some really unusual pieces.

what are you calling it? - that may give an idea of the sort of vision you have.

[nect4r]

Decent prices for cakes etc. I've been in many coffee shops and been put off by the outrageous price for a little slice of cake, �3.50 - �4 or something!!

Make your own cake and sell it at a good price, you'll get a LOT more takers I bet :)

[missing~link]

Part of the good service you provide should include clearing the tables promptly. Nothing worse than finding a free table but cluttered with used cups, mugs etc.

Offering various 'shakes' on the cappuccino i.e. choc, cinnamon and nutmeg, makes quite a difference than just chocolate.

Try not to cover all aspects of food offered. Keep it to a minimum [without stinging]. Much easier for you and your staff. After all its a coffee shop, not a restaurant.

As said before: make the cakes, cookies etc LOOK good, not factory fodder.

A few fresh fruit drinks for those who don't drink coffee or tea. The freebie biscuit/chocolate is always a pleasure to receive.

If you make it child friendly it will mean different menu.

Most true coffee shops are for adults to chill.

GoodLuck **

[gazzawazza]

Much as I like music I hate loud music in coffee shops and would be put off by this. Quiet background music is okay as long as it's various artists.
I like coffee shops to be clean, light and airy and tables to be cleaned as soon as somebody leaves. Clean, hygienic toilets are a must.
I wouldn't have newspapers or magazines, because I think it encourages skinflints to linger for ages just so they can read a paper without buying it or refilling their cup. Don't forget if someone sits there for an hour they could be taking up space that new customers could use.
I definitely wouldn't go to a karaoke night in a coffee shop, and wouldn't go to a cafe specifically for a quiz either.
Friendly, busy staff are important, as are nice looking cakes and fresh sandwiches. Incidentally, I would make a point of having more filling than anywhere else in town. I hate feeling cheated when I buy a baguette and find there's hardly anything inside. When I find a shop that sells fully-loaded baguettes I go back time after time, even if it means paying a bit more.
It's nice when staff make a point of asking if everything is alright and I would also have a bell on the door so that as people leave you can call out a cheery "thank you."