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Permalink Reply by chuck celentano on July 3, 2009 at 7:34am

Hi,
I am one of the owners of "Driscoll's Tipp Hill Cafe" in Syracuse. If I can help let me know.
driscollstipphillcafe@verizon.net

476-8637
Chuck

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Permalink Reply by Jacob Casella on July 4, 2009 at 8:55am

Educating to do, most certainly. I work a cafe in Buffalo; the unholy trinity you mention does indeed dominate most people's conception of coffee. And lattes. And *shudder* "iced cappuccinos". Your best bet, no big secret: be friendly, take it slow. Try, first-off, to just get your customer something like what they think they're ordering--if they order a cappuccino, expecting some weird sweet concoction, and you give them a perfect *real* cappuccino instead...they might not come back. The trick is to be a coffee snob, but a kindler, gentler coffee snob. Once you get to know your crowd, you can start educating, turning people on to the good stuff. You may find it pretty easy to snag the latte-fancying crowd; I know that's been the case here.

I don't know if it's the case in Syracuse, but there seems to be a slow-growing cafe culture in WNY--gettting a few more non-push-button & name-tag cafes, a little bigger percentage of customer looking for interesting coffees, good espresso & lattes, etc. Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by Dana L. Baniewicz on July 7, 2009 at 7:39am

Thanks so much for your response and your advice!

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Permalink Reply by chuck celentano on July 7, 2009 at 8:06am

Hey Jacob,
Chuck in Syracuse. . .I think you are right, there seems to be a growing segment of the pop. that wants real coffee, real cappucino and a real person that is congenial. I have noticed a backlash against SB. Seems like folks don't like the "burnt taste of SB, personally I think they have some kick-ass frozen drinks (frappacinos). But I really prefer the mom & pop type coffee shop. We just had a Panera's open about a mile from here, their lot is always FULL, but I am still getting new customers everyday.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Jackson on July 7, 2009 at 9:58am

Let me know if I can help in any way, I ran cafes in buffalo and now sell equipment

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Permalink Reply by Ron Ingber on July 10, 2009 at 7:58am

Hi there, I am 15 miles south of Utica, and run a small cafe (including espresso, naturally). Feel free to contact me if you would like to chat, or come on over for the best espresso in Bridgewater, NY. (ok, we are the only espresso in Bridgewater, NY)

Ron, the Country Guy

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