New Coffee Shop in Clondalkin - Your Thoughts

JMR

As a local and a coffee lover, I am following this with great interest.
Are there any vacant units in the row where AIB is?

Jontronix

JMR wrote:

As a local and a coffee lover, I am following this with great interest. Are there any vacant units in the row where AIB is?

there is one ground floor unit there at the moment near the fishmongers but it seems very expensive as the layout and road frontage are not great.

Nika Bolokov

Not the best looking unit either

ClareBear1

I've been living in clondalkin for almost two years now and the lack of a decent café is seriously annoying. I genuinely think about this every week. I'm a big coffee person :-)

I agree with all previous posts - traffic is a nightmare in the village during school times. Parking is crap.

I think somewhere on monastery road would be great. Lots of busy estates, passing traffic and pedestrians on the road. Gaa pitch also close by.

Another thing - nowhere nice to get breakfast on the weekend. Pancakes or the like would be fabulous!

Best of luck with your venture. Looking forward to calling in ;-)

P.S. what happened to the Streat cafe in the mill?? Might be interesting to follow up on it.

bdo

If it is a business clientele you have in mind - who have the funds to pay for "expensive" coffee - can i suggest that you include free wifi but more importantly laptop plug outlets - and loads of them. I actively seek out Starbucks now in Dublin for all my business meetings - because you get the top 3 things - nice coffee, free WiFi and a fully charged laptop (they run a connection and plugs under the high table which run around the edge of each location).

I end up buying coffee there, then a sandwich for lunch or a bun to take with me. A business crowd will help you fill in mornings and afternoons.

WittyName1

Re. your idea to deliver to business parks like Park West - Fude Company pretty much has this business wrapped up.
I don't think there would be room for another competitor.
Most businesses in Park West also have their own canteens offering high end coffee at subsidised prices.
Having worked in a large company in Park West in the past I've never come across anyone who would venture to Clondalkin for lunch. People tend to eat in work, use the Park West shops, or order from Fude.

Birdsong

ClareBear1 wrote: »

I've been living in clondalkin for almost two years now and the lack of a decent café is seriously annoying. I genuinely think about this every week. I'm a big coffee person :-)

I agree with all previous posts - traffic is a nightmare in the village during school times. Parking is crap.

I think somewhere on monastery road would be great. Lots of busy estates, passing traffic and pedestrians on the road. Gaa pitch also close by.

Another thing - nowhere nice to get breakfast on the weekend. Pancakes or the like would be fabulous!

Best of luck with your venture. Looking forward to calling in ;-)

P.S. what happened to the Streat cafe in the mill?? Might be interesting to follow up on it.

You should go to Honeycomb Cafe in Bawnogue Enterprise Centre, it is a lovely cafe, does great breakfast & lunch and lots of parking. No connection just a happy customer. Another good spot is Newlands Garden centre.

Costa Coffee has just moved into the Mill Shopping Centre, will be interesting to see how that goes

ClareBear1

Birdsong wrote: »

You should go to Honeycomb Cafe in Bawnogue Enterprise Centre, it is a lovely cafe, does great breakfast & lunch and lots of parking. No connection just a happy customer. Another good spot is Newlands Garden centre.

Costa Coffee has just moved into the Mill Shopping Centre, will be interesting to see how that goes

Would never have thought of those places, thanks! I'll most certainly check them out.
I've ended up going to the anvil in saggart a few times, great spot and fab location. Saggart is so peaceful.

Jontronix

ClareBear1 wrote:

I've been living in clondalkin for almost two years now and the lack of a decent café is seriously annoying. I genuinely think about this every week. I'm a big coffee person :-)

ClareBear1 wrote:

I agree with all previous posts - traffic is a nightmare in the village during school times. Parking is crap.

ClareBear1 wrote:

I think somewhere on monastery road would be great. Lots of busy estates, passing traffic and pedestrians on the road. Gaa pitch also close by.

ClareBear1 wrote:

Another thing - nowhere nice to get breakfast on the weekend. Pancakes or the like would be fabulous!

Thanks for your feedback. I've been living in Clondalkin over 30 years so it's been a bugbear of mine for a long time. If I feel this way then I'm sure there are many others who feel the same. Clondalkin village is a great place and it's rare to have such a vibrant village in Dublin these days, a lot have been killed my massive shopping centres, and every good village needs at least one nice cafe.

Jontronix

bdo wrote:

If it is a business clientele you have in mind - who have the funds to pay for "expensive" coffee - can i suggest that you include free wifi but more importantly laptop plug outlets - and loads of them. I actively seek out Starbucks now in Dublin for all my business meetings - because you get the top 3 things - nice coffee, free WiFi and a fully charged laptop (they run a connection and plugs under the high table which run around the edge of each location).

bdo wrote:

I end up buying coffee there, then a sandwich for lunch or a bun to take with me. A business crowd will help you fill in mornings and afternoons.

Excellent point about the access to power outlets and WiFi. I don't think business clientele will be my main customers but I think these extras would be a welcome addition for any customer. I was thinking I would also keep a couple of spare phone chargers as most people don't have those on then when their battery is running low.

Jontronix

WittyName1 wrote:

Re. your idea to deliver to business parks like Park West - Fude Company pretty much has this business wrapped up. I don't think there would be room for another competitor. Most businesses in Park West also have their own canteens offering high end coffee at subsidised prices. Having worked in a large company in Park West in the past I've never come across anyone who would venture to Clondalkin for lunch. People tend to eat in work, use the Park West shops, or order from Fude.

Thanks for the feedback on Park West as I've never worked in there. I hear that Fude place is very good. The delivery option is a possibility if I feel there's enough demand for it but I wouldn't be basing the business plan on that being a large part of business, at least in the beginning.

Jontronix

Birdsong wrote:

Costa Coffee has just moved into the Mill Shopping Centre, will be interesting to see how that goes

I'll be interested in this myself, I'm very encouraged to see a major chain has deemed Clondalkin worthy of their presence. I'm sure they realised that there's a large population area without access to superior coffee.

pedroeibar1

Jontronix wrote: »

I'll be interested in this myself, I'm very encouraged to see a major chain has deemed Clondalkin worthy of their presence. I'm sure they realised that there's a large population area without access to superior coffee.

My thoughts?
Well, there is your big competitor!
If you only now realise that free Wi-Fi is a good idea in your venture I suggest you drop the coffeeshop idea.
Four months of anguish, almost 3,000 views, 60-odd posts in 5 pages……….
Entrepreneurial & Business Management = about those who make things happen, not talk and waffle.
Open the shop, drop the idea or can we all move on?

Jontronix

pedroeibar1 wrote:

My thoughts? Well, there is your big competitor! If you only now realise that free Wi-Fi is a good idea in your venture I suggest you drop the coffeeshop idea. Four months of anguish, almost 3,000 views, 60-odd posts in 5 pages………. Entrepreneurial & Business Management = about those who make things happen, not talk and waffle. Open the shop, drop the idea or can we all move on?

Ha ha thanks for the positivity. Of course I already know that WiFi is a good perk to draw in customers but I'm just glad that someone took the time to make that suggestion. I'll do things to my own plans and timetable not soneone else's, and thankfully everything has been going to plan so far.

messrs

daviecronin wrote: »

Hello OP,
I'm nowhere near familiar with clondalkin area at all. But what I would say to you is to almost pick a target market but obviously try not to exclude anyone. But maybe target you teenagers. Is there schools nearby? Can you offer something different. I myself go to this lovely unique retro style cafe with my friends. They give you a lump of chocolate on a stick and hot frothy milk mmmmm and you get to melt it yourself. They offer free wifi, and a free chocolate with each drink. Towards the back of the premises they have around 30 computer which are nearly always packed! It's a very studenty/ unique cafe you wouldn't see much old folk in their! The interior design is different and cosy at the same time. They've a fabulous location so much footfall! Maybe it's something you want to think about who ideally do you want in your cafe. Student/college folk, young families, older friends stuff like that. What your cafe looks like and what it offers can appeal to everyone or now one. Maybe you could go for a country feel offering great food and unique jams stuff like that. Definitely sit outside your proposed spot for a few hours at different times different days etc it will give you an idea! It's sounds good though best of luck!

That chocolate on a stick is delish!! my brother does that in his café and just so so tasty!! he gives it out in those tall glass cups , god I want one of them now!!!

yopy

Hope it works out. I'll be sure to pop by

niallo32

Best of luck with the venture. I've lived in the village all my life and like the other posters, the lack of a proper coffee shop really annoys me!

Claire's opens at 5pm.

niallo32

https://twitter.com/EastVillageDub/

Opening February 2016

pedroeibar1

After 18 months it's hardly the OP?

Jontronix

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

After 18 months it's hardly the OP?

It is!:)

This time last year I quit my finance job of many years and embarked on an amazing year of learning everything I could ahead of my own venture. I completed a professional cookery course, 2 barista training courses, 3 start your own business/cafe workshops, and I've worked in a take-away coffee business and a more traditional cafe business for several months now. Along the way I've been continuing my research and perfecting my business plan. Recently I found a suitable property, I've received the backing from the bank, and I'm looking to open now in Feb 2016. Once I can get the solicitors to move along and finalise everything, which is easier said than done let me tell you.

So hopefully soon I can post up a proposed opening date, and you can all come and visit my new coffee shop.

messrs

Jontronix wrote: »

It is!:)

This time last year I quit my finance job of many years and embarked on an amazing year of learning everything I could ahead of my own venture. I completed a professional cookery course, 2 barista training courses, 3 start your own business/cafe workshops, and I've worked in a take-away coffee business and a more traditional cafe business for several months now. Along the way I've been continuing my research and perfecting my business plan. Recently I found a suitable property, I've received the backing from the bank, and I'm looking to open now in Feb 2016. Once I can get the solicitors to move along and finalise everything, which is easier said than done let me tell you.

So hopefully soon I can post up a proposed opening date, and you can all come and visit my new coffee shop.

Congrats OP!! that's brill!! Where in Clondalkin are you opening or can you say yet?

Jontronix

messrs wrote: »

Congrats OP!! that's brill!! Where in Clondalkin are you opening or can you say yet?

Cheers I won't say just for the moment because I don't want to jinx it until it's signed and sealed. However a deposit is down and we just have to jump through a few hoops. I hope it's signed before Christmas and I can let people know where its going to be, but it may be early in the new year as a lot of people are finishing up today or early next week.

JMR

Jontronix wrote: »

It is!:)

This time last year I quit my finance job of many years and embarked on an amazing year of learning everything I could ahead of my own venture. I completed a professional cookery course, 2 barista training courses, 3 start your own business/cafe workshops, and I've worked in a take-away coffee business and a more traditional cafe business for several months now. Along the way I've been continuing my research and perfecting my business plan. Recently I found a suitable property, I've received the backing from the bank, and I'm looking to open now in Feb 2016. Once I can get the solicitors to move along and finalise everything, which is easier said than done let me tell you.

So hopefully soon I can post up a proposed opening date, and you can all come and visit my new coffee shop.

Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing where your premises is and dropping in for a coffee in the new year

messrs

Jontronix wrote: »

Cheers I won't say just for the moment because I don't want to jinx it until it's signed and sealed. However a deposit is down and we just have to jump through a few hoops. I hope it's signed before Christmas and I can let people know where its going to be, but it may be early in the new year as a lot of people are finishing up today or early next week.

yea that's understandable, I would prob the same! once its in clondalkin village it wont be to far from me. Best of luck with it, cant wait till its open and I can go in

pedroeibar1

Jontronix wrote: »

It is!:)...........So hopefully soon I can post up a proposed opening date, ........

Well done, brave move, and that is an impressive list of "things accomplished". You clearly have put a lot into the planning.. maybe consider calling it 'Giraffe' as it too has a gestation period of 18 months.;) Aim to open before 14 Feb and try to catch some Valentine's Day business. Maybe a promo gift card idea - buy in some Valentine cards and sell them with a coffee voucher. Impulse purchase type thing for next to the till. Best of luck with it.

jimmii

Jontronix wrote: »

It is!:)

This time last year I quit my finance job of many years and embarked on an amazing year of learning everything I could ahead of my own venture. I completed a professional cookery course, 2 barista training courses, 3 start your own business/cafe workshops, and I've worked in a take-away coffee business and a more traditional cafe business for several months now. Along the way I've been continuing my research and perfecting my business plan. Recently I found a suitable property, I've received the backing from the bank, and I'm looking to open now in Feb 2016. Once I can get the solicitors to move along and finalise everything, which is easier said than done let me tell you.

So hopefully soon I can post up a proposed opening date, and you can all come and visit my new coffee shop.

Great job OP congrats! It looks like you really put the time in to make sure you are as prepared as possible which is great to see I wish I had done that!

niallo32

Best of luck OP!

Frank Grimes

Jontronix wrote: »

So hopefully soon I can post up a proposed opening date, and you can all come and visit my new coffee shop.

Do, I live close to the village so I'll try to stop by. Best of luck with it, glad to something opening out here that isn't another fast food place!

NotInventedHere

Frank Grimes wrote: »

Do, I live close to the village so I'll try to stop by. Best of luck with it, glad to something opening out here that isn't another fast food place!

+1 same here let us know

Jontronix

Thanks guys. I plan on putting in a good effort through social media in advance of opening to let people know where we are and what we're about. I'll also hit the streets locally and hand out some freebies and spread the word. Then the real work will begin.

Jontronix

Jontronix wrote: »

Thanks guys. I plan on putting in a good effort through social media in advance of opening to let people know where we are and what we're about. I'll also hit the streets locally and hand out some freebies and spread the word. Then the real work will begin.

One more word of advice if you have a few staff etc, be careful with pilfering - from the till and stock. Quite a few people I know in your business have had this problem, and no worse way to screw up your margins!

Good luck!

jimmii

Jontronix wrote: »

Thanks guys. I plan on putting in a good effort through social media in advance of opening to let people know where we are and what we're about. I'll also hit the streets locally and hand out some freebies and spread the word. Then the real work will begin.

Yeh start that early and get the buzz going a bit so that you really the hit the ground fast on launch day. Too many places only start that when they open and lose all those potential people they could have reached beforehand.

messrs

Jontronix wrote: »

Thanks guys. I plan on putting in a good effort through social media in advance of opening to let people know where we are and what we're about. I'll also hit the streets locally and hand out some freebies and spread the word. Then the real work will begin.

are you going to be doing loyalty cards aswell? always a good hit with people, also when my brother opened up his café he offered 10% discount for anyone working on the same street, I know you don't want to be giving stuff away for nothing but its nice to have a little sort of scheme like that going on , may encourage people to come in

Nika Bolokov

Well done OP.

I'll be in for for a coffee.

Just noticed there's two places on main street that recently appear to have found a tenant......

jetsonx

sounds like the OP has done a lot of homework in the meantime. Now it's time to put the theory and experience into action.

5 Things I would say you must get right at this early stage

1) Hire naturally friendly people who are tactful. Character and honesty are vital attributes.

2) Don't make any assumptions about what you customer's will or won't like. The only way is to test your offering.

3) Your staff will be watching you and you will set the tone for your whole business. e.g. they see you taking short-cuts
they will start taking short-cuts.

4) Keep it simple but keep it quality.

5) Start using checklists for consistent quality in your business.

Hollister11

Best of luck with the new venture.

If you need a website, i'll do you a deal.

Mick Murdock

Jontronix wrote: »

It is!:)

This time last year I quit my finance job of many years and embarked on an amazing year of learning everything I could ahead of my own venture. I completed a professional cookery course, 2 barista training courses, 3 start your own business/cafe workshops, and I've worked in a take-away coffee business and a more traditional cafe business for several months now. Along the way I've been continuing my research and perfecting my business plan. Recently I found a suitable property, I've received the backing from the bank, and I'm looking to open now in Feb 2016. Once I can get the solicitors to move along and finalise everything, which is easier said than done let me tell you.

So hopefully soon I can post up a proposed opening date, and you can all come and visit my new coffee shop.

If only more people did so much preparation before diving in head first. Particularly in a business you had no experience in. Great stuff. I wish you well.

I know JJ Darboven has done very well in Dún Laoghaire since they opened beside Argos and now in their bigger premises closer to the shopping centre. Obviously it's a different business entirely but there might be some retail business in it for you for the more enthusiastic coffee drinker. Quality coffees, teas, accessories etc. I suppose it depends on the layout of your premises but a small area catering to this might pull in some passing traffic too, particularly during the quieter periods of the day it might help.

Jontronix

Deleted User wrote: »

One more word of advice if you have a few staff etc, be careful with pilfering - from the till and stock. Quite a few people I know in your business have had this problem, and no worse way to screw up your margins!

Good luck!

I've heard of this happening in some establishments as well. I will probably install a couple of security cameras to mind against this, and also to ward off any would be thieves.

Jontronix

messrs wrote: »

are you going to be doing loyalty cards aswell? always a good hit with people, also when my brother opened up his café he offered 10% discount for anyone working on the same street, I know you don't want to be giving stuff away for nothing but its nice to have a little sort of scheme like that going on , may encourage people to come in

I am definitely going to have loyalty cards, everyone in the industry I've encountered have nothing but positive feedback on the use of loyalty cards.

Jontronix

jetsonx wrote: »

sounds like the OP has done a lot of homework in the meantime. Now it's time to put the theory and experience into action.

5 Things I would say you must get right at this early stage

1) Hire naturally friendly people who are tactful. Character and honesty are vital attributes.

2) Don't make any assumptions about what you customer's will or won't like. The only way is to test your offering.

3) Your staff will be watching you and you will set the tone for your whole business. e.g. they see you taking short-cuts
they will start taking short-cuts.

4) Keep it simple but keep it quality.

5) Start using checklists for consistent quality in your business.

All very good points there I couldn't agree with you more.

Jontronix

Mick Murdock wrote: »

If only more people did so much preparation before diving in head first. Particularly in a business you had no experience in. Great stuff. I wish you well.

I know JJ Darboven has done very well in Dún Laoghaire since they opened beside Argos and now in their bigger premises closer to the shopping centre. Obviously it's a different business entirely but there might be some retail business in it for you for the more enthusiastic coffee drinker. Quality coffees, teas, accessories etc. I suppose it depends on the layout of your premises but a small area catering to this might pull in some passing traffic too, particularly during the quieter periods of the day it might help.

Yeah I've been in JJ Darboven a couple of times and they have an impressive range of retail items for sale. Like a lot of newer coffee shops, I hope to have a small retail area, maybe a couple of floating shelves selling some coffee related gadgets and a few nice artisan foods. I'm not planning on making much money on this retail end of things, but it does add to the character and feel of a coffee shop. It reinforces the idea that you care about your coffee and the quality of what you are producing. It can also look attractive and decorative when its done well. Bear Market in Blackrock have a lovely retail display, that makes the place look good as much as anything.

JMR

Where is your store located?
The unit previously occupied by Cribbins Butchers beside the AIB looks a perfect fit, to my untrained eye at least.

Jontronix

JMR wrote: »

Where is your store located?
The unit previously occupied by Cribbins Butchers beside the AIB looks a perfect fit, to my untrained eye at least.

Its still not 100% secure so I don't want to say where it is just yet, should be finalised soon thought. Its not the former butchers unit though

Martypants1

How's thi going then?

Martypants1

Bump

jetsonx

[QUOTE=Jontronix;98453281I'm not planning on making much money on this retail end of things, but it does add to the character and feel of a coffee shop. It reinforces the idea that you care about your coffee and the quality of what you are producing. It can also look attractive and decorative when its done well[/QUOTE]

Yeah, proper positioning is a really important aspect of business which so many SME's fail on. Position your business as premium and it will attract a premium class of customer. And it is all down to attention to small details like you describe. Starbucks is the classic example of a chain-coffee store that does this well. This leads to a virtuous circle of your cafe attracting customers who are prepared to pay a premium, enables you to buy quality stock, recruit good staff and all going well, your cafe won't be long getting a good reputation.

Jontronix

Martypants1 wrote: »

How's thi going then?

Having some issues with the lease unfortunately so we might have to seek another unit.

messrs

Jontronix wrote: »

Having some issues with the lease unfortunately so we might have to seek another unit.

aw crap, sorry to hear that. hope you get something sorted soon

Hollister11

Jontronix wrote: »

Having some issues with the lease unfortunately so we might have to seek another unit.

Have you opened up yet?

Jontronix

Hollister11 wrote: »

Have you opened up yet?

Not quite yet. After a couple of false starts we found another suitable unit and we're almost ready to proceed with fit out, just sorting out a couple of final issues with the unit before that can happen. Fingers crossed we will be starting work on site within the next 3-4 weeks.