Christian coffee shop / study place?

Question

Hi, I was wondering if Christians would tell me what they thought (or anyone really) about having a place like a Christian coffe shop.

I am thinking about opening one in my hometown. I have several bands that will play for the weekends, a library of books and chairs for study. Tables for games, and visiting, ect.

It could be used for meetings for study groups and perhaps have wireless internet access.

Coffee and tea service as well. With a Christian enviroment.

I want to set this up for non profit.
Has anyone done this? Would you think it would be a good place?

Please give me your input.

I am going to ask area churches for input, youth volunteers and donations to help stay afloat. I want this to be all churches not just one denomination, though

Answer 1

Interesting idea. I think you would need a bookstore or something else to keep it afloat.

Of course I wouldn't go there, but I might if I were Christian.

Answer 2

It's a good idea. But have you done the research to find out if your area will support an endeavor like this?

And bear this in mind, too. Just because you're a non-profit does NOT mean you can get away without making money. A non-profit is subject to the same laws of economics that a for-profit company is. You still have to bring in enough money to cover all of your expenses (including the salaries of the people working there).

A similar idea that you should look at, if you're wanting to do this, is a company called "America's Incredible Pizza Company" (which I believe is based out of either Tulsa or Oklahoma City). This company runs a Chuck E Cheese - like pizza place with a Christian slant to it. They invite youth groups to come in and have their activities there, they bring in bands, etc. It takes an incredible (no pun intended) amount of money to make it work, though.

If you decide to do it, I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

I'm not a Christian, but I think it's a very interesting idea. I don't know how successful it would be. You mention setting it up as a non-profit, so obviously you wouldn't be relying upon it for your income. Its success would largely depend upon how large a Christian population you have in your area, how welcoming the atmosphere, how you advertise it, and how good the beverages are. Try setting it up next to a bakery, if possible, or bookstore, as Phoenix suggested.

And you even have some name suggestions in some of the other responses: God's Space, An Awesome Place, A Cup of Good Cheer, My Cup Runneth Over, Heavenly Brew.

Answer 4

I live near a small college town with a population of 6000, and we have not one but TWO such establishments. They're very popular with the university students and the townsfolk alike.

Granted, these businesses cater to anyone, not only Christians, but I think you've got a good idea going here. You may want to take another answerer's advice and have a business such as a bookstore or gift shop to help keep it afloat, but I'd say you should do very well with this. Good luck.

Answer 5

leave out the wireless internet-bring in some good video games and open it till its song time have a sign games off at ___ time and back on at_____ time not too long so they will stick around-you can even get a one arm bandit and have it for free have them report if they win like 100 or more and give them a little gift-token-also for winning a game on the video games-it will help them

have devotional in the song time and have other times where they just sing or share some scriptures

dont charge for anything-just have closed locked box for donations-if its open mark the back of a bill when u find them missing-only the police can check and find who your thief is.

have kids give their testimonies-and have open mike night and kareokee -with no vulgar songs accepted -yet give some lee way-as the majority will have the good influence and especially sin contemporary Christian and play it on the intercome pop up and movin-and you can have adult night too and anything that they suggest.

if u dont have a place-go around look for empty buildings or spaces-then ask the owner-I did it and got one for free but it took work and patience.

prayin for you in amazing grace-great idea and take all ideas pray about them and do what works best for you

be ready for rowdies-have alittle security there-and be prayerfull in handling things-I have had deamon filled shouting out -put the bible on his shoulder and he fell to the ground and the band played on-and when he awoke took him to the prayer room and delt with him-it was messianic music anointed special Jews for Messiah Jesus.

Answer 6

This has been done successfully before by churches as an outreach tool but I don't know if it would be able to sustain itself financially. If you can find backing from area churches and your area has a sizable base of Christians to draw from it might be a very good idea. I pray that should you try you will be successful.

Answer 7

It might work. It's been tried here in Hollywood, CA...back in the 80's. It was called The Oasis"...I liked it and used to hang there. Saw some great bands (Undercover, The Altar Boys). But they expanded their ministry to the homeless (not a bad thing, mind you) - but it changed the vibe. There was no rest....there were all these homeless and drug-addict people that needed to be downtown at the rescue mission where they could get help. Lots of people stopped going and it died.

Answer 8

That would be a GREAT idea. I hope you will make one so that you can spread the word of Jesus to the people in your hometown. What kind of bands?
God Bless!

Answer 9

Any charitable organization may allow you to employ a room, like yet another church or religious organization. i comprehend of a church forming in my city that meets at our Mall. you may attempt putting your posters interior an same kinds of homes i discussed, and also you are able to also attempt sending in an upload on your interior of reach paper, or "letter to the editor", etc. you are able to also commence your first few conferences with generalities. "what's each body's opinion of the Bible?" "what's your famous verse?" etc., really than a collection curriculum. That way you are able to advance said curriculum in accordance to their solutions and how the contributors imagine, as well as asking the folk it genuinely effects for ideas.

Answer 10

It has potential to be an outreach as well. You could be like "read this tract and your first cup's on us" or something. You'd lose a lot of money as a non-profit business, but God will bless good work done in His name. Prayer always helps too.