What are some ways a socially responsible coffee shop could compete with this trend?

Question

TUKWILA, Wash. — Coffee-stand owner John Cambroto couldn't compete against the bikini-clad women selling espresso up the road.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2007-01-29-coffee_x.htm?csp=26

It might help to consider the things that might go along with the sale of coffee. There is tea, chocolate and pastries. The children friendly idea is good. There is a library here that has a coffee shop. That is great idea. More could be done for that kind of idea. Put a coffee shop near an educational/cultural area and have as much educational/cultural concerns at your coffee shop as may be possible. I saw a coffee shop located at a college and they seem to be doing really well. It helps to have nice seats for people who want to work on their laptop.

I think getting involved with the coffee and tea industry is a good idea too. Some worry about how organic their coffee in other words concerns of social responsibility. Were the coffee producers treating their workers well? So if possible, actually travelling to places where coffee is produced might be a really nice idea if that were possible.

I don't know how easy it would be to get coffee straight from the farms. All coffee is coming from tropical areas and normally thirdworld. The coffee has to go through quite a bit of processing before it is actually ready for roasting. But, freshness is a tremendous issue. Freshness is really one of the things we need to be getting at here. Perhaps asking for and encouraging the dating of coffee beans would help.

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Answer 1

Sell better coffee and other food and drink items, establish a unique environment, create new and interesting combinations, and sell at a lower price. From a marketing angle, the best thing to do is market toward women with children, who are most likely to avoid the bikini-girls. Make it a kid-friendly place with toys and coloring books (and some kid's special food and drink items), and a place where moms can come and relax with some coffee.

Answer 2

Not everyone is going to go for that type of atmosphere. Also, as others have stated, sell the best coffee and espresso based beverages. Fresh roasted and fresh ground is the only way to go today rather than prepackaged. In addition, use fair trade and / or organic coffees and let people know that you use them. Also, promote add ons that gear toward the younger generation, such as smoothies, other coffee based ice drinks, yerba mate and chai (among others). Also, try to use recyclable cups. Today's youth, as well as many adults, are becoming more and more
"earth friendly" and will often support businesses who are as well.
Take care.

Answer 3

Selling a better coffee is a good idea as someone mentioned, but there is more to it and a lot involved. You need to be able to travel to a foreign country and talk to the coffee producers of how you can get their crop to be sent to your place of business. You also have to find out the cost, how much they are able to produce and be able to go down there frequently to meet with them. But before all this takes place, you need to be able to find a location to open that will attract not just the customers, but able to make a profit in doing it. You will have expenses to pay and you have to consider that first. It is a lot to go into than just brewing the beans~!

Answer 4

Get a male version of the same competetors doing the same thing at his shop. Women customers will get a kick out of the refreshing change of pace and flock to the beefcake coffee shop. Remember, women do most of the shopping, so don't underestimate the female purchasing power. I would support the "male server" coffee shop just to balance the scale of justice! ;o)

Answer 5

Sell better coffee. The whiney guy complaining is making an excuse for not being as good.

Answer 6

Order these new uniforms for your staff and you'll attract a completely different crowd......I know I'd much rather drink coffee with this wait staff hanging around ;)
http://www.tanthrough.com/mens-1in-swimwear.htm

Answer 7

instead of cowGIRLS, have actual COWS for baristas... the smell might be a deterrent but you couldn't get fresher milk for your lattes!