Thinking of opening a cutesty coffee shop on shop street

nomno

any tips, comments, or suggestions?

snubbleste

Search this forum for 'Cafe' and you'll come up with a ridiculous amount of café desires from the citizenry

Oh wait here it is
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056117663

Ficheall

snubbleste wrote: »

Oh wait here it is
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056117663

And OP, you can ignore the "(on a bus)" bit - the majority of the suggestions were made before that was added.

wet-paint

What's a cutesty coffee shop? Anything like a pigsty?

LadyMayBelle

Really? The market is saturated in Galway at the moment, from the city centre out to Clarinbridge etc. They have all bases covered; kitsch, heart shaped cute cafes with pretty iced cupcakes (Sweetie pies) to elegant ladies who like to lunch (An cupan Tae) and a tonne other in between style places (The budding cafe, Griffins, Javas, the place in Born etc.)

If you are determined, avoid the pretty pinkness style that apparently is appealing. A few years ago I would have loved to have set up a cafe but now there are so many. Go for something that isn't cutesy; stripped wall, nice lighting, you can ead your papers without the annoying bang of the coffee machine in your ear, sound staff, good music, and of course, good coffee. I wouldn't do too much food, more nibbles.

Pwpane

Please can we have a coffee shop with small 'bites' that's open for an hour after the shops close???

inisboffin

If you're doing just nibbles, consider a couple of savoury options. I dunno how many times I have been meeting people for tea and 'they only have cakes' was said. Something small and like a savoury tartlet. I love sweet things, but sometimes a savoury bite is called for (have a veg option too)

challengemaster

Pwpane wrote: »

Please can we have a coffee shop with small 'bites' that's open for an hour after the shops close???

Er, Java's is open til 3 or 4am most days...

inisboffin

challengemaster wrote: »

Er, Java's is open til 3 or 4am most days...

It's the only one though.

LadyMayBelle

Nothin worse tha going for a cup of coffee and smelling pizza wafting from the next table

There are not a lot of cafes open after shops close, which is crap. No alternative to a pub.

inisboffin

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

Nothin worse tha going for a cup of coffee and smelling pizza wafting from the next table

Never thought of that! Pizza? Really?? I suppose everyone has their own smell aversion too for a nibble, I was trying to think of something small and non-messy/hassly. I wasn't thinking of heating the savoury tartlets (then they could smell like pizza). Veg and regular saussue rolls shouldn't be too stinky.

You'll probably never please us all OP!

_Whimsical_

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

Really? The market is saturated in Galway at the moment, from the city centre out to Clarinbridge etc. They have all bases covered; kitsch, heart shaped cute cafes with pretty iced cupcakes (Sweetie pies) to elegant ladies who like to lunch (An cupan Tae) and a tonne other in between style places (The budding cafe, Griffins, Javas, the place in Born etc.)

If you are determined, avoid the pretty pinkness style that apparently is appealing. A few years ago I would have loved to have set up a cafe but now there are so many. Go for something that isn't cutesy; stripped wall, nice lighting, you can ead your papers without the annoying bang of the coffee machine in your ear, sound staff, good music, and of course, good coffee. I wouldn't do too much food, more nibbles.

Where is An Cupan Tae?

LadyMayBelle

Maybe I am too fussy!

PauricTheLodger

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

Where is An Cupan Tae?

Isn't that the one next door to Brannagans on the Sparch?

spinandscribble

make it a evening cafe like javas and try and have a mix of healthy and treats.

Mrs OBumble

PauricTheLodger wrote: »

Isn't that the one next door to Brannagans on the Sparch?

Only if Brannagans is now called the Townhouse, and was previously called Bizzare.

Ficheall

JustMary wrote: »

Only if Brannagans is now called the Townhouse, and was previously called Bizzare.

Or Bazaar even...

inisboffin

Ficheall wrote: »

Or Bazaar even...

Ah it'll always be The Garage or Punchbag to a lot of us!:p

PauricTheLodger

JustMary wrote: »

Only if Brannagans is now called the Townhouse, and was previously called Bizzare.

It changed name again??

And yes, that's the one

kraggy

I reckon there's a niche in the market for somewhere that does the following sort of stuff:

Mug of tea and scone & butter for a fair price
Fried egg sandwich
Bowl of porridge
A fresh, decent, good egg salad sanwich
Tart and Ice cream

Basic good old fashioned things that people like, are quick to make and therefore doesn't mean the customer has to wait around all day.

The above things don't cost a lot to make and so shouldn't cost too much to buy.

Did anyone notice on Griffin's menu that they charge €4.95 for a bowl of porridge?!! A whole packet of Flahavans is €1.15 in Spar!

inisboffin

That little café Kelly's - opposite Freeneys Pub on High St is nice.
Cuppa and a scone there, I think was reasonable.

Fried egg sambo sounds good!

yer man!

A mix of couches and arm chairs for reading and relaxing and normal tables and chairs for conversation or food. Don't see many places in Galway where you can just have a coffee and browse the internet on a laptop or read, on a comfortable seat without feeling pressured to finish up and leave. All I ask.

dinneenp

kraggy wrote: »

I reckon there's a niche in the market for somewhere that does the following sort of stuff:

Mug of tea and scone & butter for a fair price
Fried egg sandwich
Bowl of porridge
A fresh, decent, good egg salad sanwich
Tart and Ice cream

Basic good old fashioned things that people like, are quick to make and therefore doesn't mean the customer has to wait around all day.

The above things don't cost a lot to make and so shouldn't cost too much to buy.

Did anyone notice on Griffin's menu that they charge €4.95 for a bowl of porridge?!! A whole packet of Flahavans is €1.15 in Spar!

Doesn't Riordians on Quay Street opposite Neachtons do the above at reasonable prices?

€4.95 is expensive for porridge, does it have blueberries or something 'fancy' in it?
"A whole packet of Flahavans is €1.15 in Spar!"
could also say "a whole packet of tea bags for €2 in Spar but €2.50 for a cup of tea in a cafe" €4.95 is taking the mick though....

Fionn MacCool

kraggy wrote: »

I reckon there's a niche in the market for somewhere that does the following sort of stuff:

Mug of tea and scone & butter for a fair price
Fried egg sandwich
Bowl of porridge
A fresh, decent, good egg salad sanwich
Tart and Ice cream

Basic good old fashioned things that people like, are quick to make and therefore doesn't mean the customer has to wait around all day.

The above things don't cost a lot to make and so shouldn't cost too much to buy.

Did anyone notice on Griffin's menu that they charge €4.95 for a bowl of porridge?!! A whole packet of Flahavans is €1.15 in Spar!

I agree, I think I've mentioned it on here before too. Somewhere that just does good honest food, no pretentious bollocks with menus in French, no ruining your food with things you didn't ask for (mayo, salad dressing), and prices that reflect the cost of production. I understand that when you buy food you're not only paying for the ingredients but the overheads and wages and whatnot, but I'm sure if you decided to reduce your profit margins (and therefore prices) you would benefit from more sales.

Madame Razz

If you could recreate Claire's tea rooms in the city centre, with wifi, you could definately be onto something

Mrs OBumble

kraggy wrote: »

Mug of tea and scone & butter for a fair price

What would you think is fair?

Personally I'd be keener to have a better discount-for-locals scheme, and still charge tourists the "full" price.

Fionn MacCool

JustMary wrote: »

What would you think is fair?

Personally I'd be keener to have a better discount-for-locals scheme, and still charge tourists the "full" price.

Does anywhere do this? It sounds illegal...

rivalius13

Like I said the last time someone wanted to start up a Cafe, rip off the Cake Cafe in Dublin because they are awesome.

Mr Keek

Some proper Tea, Green Teas etc. The Java Republic stuff is the winner.

Or get the loose leaves and serve them in those deadly tea pots that Providence Market Kitchen serve in.

Free refills.

Free Wifi.

Some nice fresh Brown Bread and free butter!

inisboffin

Fionn MacCool wrote: »

Does anywhere do this? It sounds illegal...

H
I suppose you could have a prepay stamp card, buy, say, ten coffees in advance. Give the biz an early advance boost. Then use it as a locals card from then on and get 10% (20?) discount for your 'local loyalty'

yer man!

inisboffin wrote: »

H
I suppose you could have a prepay stamp card, buy, say, ten coffees in advance. Give the biz an early advance boost. Then use it as a locals card from then on and get 10% (20?) discount for your 'local loyalty'

This is what starbucks do everywhere and it works very well apparently, great discounts the more you load onto the card.

inisboffin

yer man! wrote: »

This is what starbucks do everywhere and it works very well apparently, great discounts the more you load onto the card.

Yeah, their card in the States is more like a credit card. It's more like a frequent flyer miles thing though. If you buy more you get a bonus at a certain stage. (Evergreen started doing this, but their points system is tiny).

I was thinking more low key, like a 10 coffee card that got stamped (much like visitor stamps, but you pre buy the coffee and the biz gets a boost) then you use it as a 'local' ID card, an it gives you a 'local' discount for 12 months

Acoshla

Have you done much research into this OP? Because there are numerous coffee shops/cafes etc after popping up around Shop Street, most if not all have been mentioned, but seeing as you specifically said a cutesy coffee shop, Sweetie Pies, The Grain Store and An Cupán Tae are all incredibly close to Shop St, not to mention the two Bakehouses, Gourmet Tart Co., Elle's, Java, etc etc. I really don't see how their could be demand for another place with the cutesy vibe going in an area of town so densely populated with coffee shops and cafés already. McCambridges also has a bit of the café thing going now with the outdoor seating and the cupcakes/goodies.

As Madame Razz mentioned if you could replicate Claire's Tearooms it would be great, but not right in the middle of the city I don't think, hell even Eglinton Street or something would be better than Shop St., IMO. Claire's has a very high quality of food, service and style, but you do pay that bit more for it, which from what I'm reading in that thread isn't really what the majority are looking for, they're looking more for somewhere relatively low priced but for the nice basics, cup of tea, sandwich, etc.

yer man!

I'd love something like "the central perk" in friends, nice couches, armchairs, high and low tables, good decent cheap coffee, sandwiches and scones and stuff. A coffee and sandwich deal would be good too, they do it in NUIG for €3 which is pretty good, not saying to do that but a bundle thing would be really handy and attractive. WiFi is ESSENTIAL.

inisboffin

yer man! wrote: »

I'd love something like "the central perk" in friends, nice couches, armchairs, high and low tables, good decent cheap coffee, sandwiches and scones and stuff.

Don't forget...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jlGRq8xZ4

dafunk

nomno wrote: »

any tips, comments, or suggestions?

Serve decent coffee. It's incredible how many coffee shops fail to do this. Hope it's successful for you!

If you open up a new cafe, make sure it's open past 6 o clock. It's ridiculous that Javas is the only cafe that does this.

Seaneh

BABM, Griffins bakery is open late as well...

Seaneh

Seaneh wrote: »

BABM, Griffins bakery is open late as well...

Really? 'til what time?

I think having a cutesy coffee shop will alienate a lot of possible customers.

magentas

yer man! wrote: »

I'd love something like "the central perk" in friends, nice couches, armchairs, high and low tables, good decent cheap coffee, sandwiches and scones and stuff.

how much was it?:D

magentas

I think later opening hours are the way forward, every thread on the topic of cafes throws up the topic of later opening, doesn't have to be til 3am like javas!
somewhere to go for a cuppa after shopping and as an alternative to going for a pint.
A big open fire would be lovely...
Oh and have the daily papers available!

personally I think the cutesy thing has been exhausted. there is a niche for a nice relaxed tradition and cosy cafe.

my OH was in griffins for brekkie last weekend and it sounds lovely, big oul fry up, homemade brown bread and actual tea-leaves! nice seating area at the back of the shop, friendly staff and easy-going atmosphere.

I think cosy and casual is the way to go and you'll definately have a bigger market than if you went the cutesy route

Best of luck with it anyway OP, hope it goes well whatever you decide.
keep us updated and I'll be in for a cuppa;)

Head The Wall

inisboffin wrote: »

Yeah, their card in the States is more like a credit card. It's more like a frequent flyer miles thing though. If you buy more you get a bonus at a certain stage. (Evergreen started doing this, but their points system is tiny).

I was thinking more low key, like a 10 coffee card that got stamped (much like visitor stamps, but you pre buy the coffee and the biz gets a boost) then you use it as a 'local' ID card, an it gives you a 'local' discount for 12 months

magentas wrote: »

I think later opening hours are the way forward, every thread on the topic of cafes throws up the topic of later opening, doesn't have to be til 3am like javas!
somewhere to go for a cuppa after shopping and as an alternative to going for a pint.
A big open fire would be lovely...
Oh and have the daily papers available!

personally I think the cutesy thing has been exhausted. there is a niche for a nice relaxed tradition and cosy cafe.

my OH was in griffins for brekkie last weekend and it sounds lovely, big oul fry up, homemade brown bread and actual tea-leaves! nice seating area at the back of the shop, friendly staff and easy-going atmosphere.

I think cosy and casual is the way to go and you'll definately have a bigger market than if you went the cutesy route

Best of luck with it anyway OP, hope it goes well whatever you decide.
keep us updated and I'll be in for a cuppa;)

Mocha Beans have what I deem a pretty good loyalty card, gets you 10% back on what you purchase.

I'll second the time thing, after spending a couple of years in the states the lack of choice to go for a coffee and some chill time in the evenings is painful. It just doesn't feel the same going into a hotel or bar as opposed to a proper coffee joint

samdeman

value for money is key for success, but low prices is probably not possible with the high rents you will be paying in shop street

Mrs OBumble

Deleted User wrote: »

Really? 'til what time?

Griffins were open 'til 10pm some nights each week during summer. Don't think it's a winter thing, though.

But they are still open (and willing to sell last minute birthday cakes) at 6:15pm on Wed/Thurs at least. Not sure what time they close, but I didn't get the "any minute now" feeling.

muppetkiller

Why doesn't someone open a proper tea house. Where you can buy all different types of teas by weight ? I loved them when I was abroad.
Some nice comfy armchairs and wi-fi ...sorted.

DRakE

free wifi
cheap everything
lovely place
free stuff
cheap

Sniipe

free wifi - but seeing as its on shop street you should get a system that with every receipt it gives a key to be used so that the customer can only have 20-30min free wifi... otherwise you will have people camping outside your building making skype calls and downloading vids...

dinneenp

muppetkiller wrote: »

Why doesn't someone open a proper tea house. Where you can buy all different types of teas by weight ? I loved them when I was abroad.
Some nice comfy armchairs and wi-fi ...sorted.

Probably because it wouldn't make a profit. On Shop Street the rent would be high. If someone sips a tea, spends 1/2 a hour there their footfall turnover wouldn't be very high I guess.

I'd say try to do very nice 'real' hot chocolate. Bulters are expensive but do a lot of business as it's lovely. Goyas charge something crazy for hot chocolate (€4.50 or so!).

lion_bar

I don't think you should open a coffee shop on shop street.

Market is saturated and if you have to come here looking for ideas well then you won't be unique enough to survive.

I you do decide to do it good luck...

I am interested in hearing the OP's own ideas though...

lion_bar

DRakE wrote: »

free wifi
cheap everything
lovely place
free stuff
cheap

How does this business model deliver enough money to pay rent, staff etc and deliver a profit?

moonflower

Seaneh wrote: »

BABM, Griffins bakery is open late as well...

They do awful, awful coffee though. Pity, because it's really nice in there.

Was in there one day and asked for a mocha, the girl serving said 'uhh.. that's a plain black coffee, right?' :rolleyes: