Local Coffee Organization?
Greetings Fellow BXers;
As some of you may be aware, "The" Todd Mackey and I have recently started a group dedicated to the advancement of specialty coffee in our mini-metropolis out here in Scenic New England. Our organization is open to anyone and everyone, and has been attended by roasters, baristi, and home enthusiasts, We've been having an ongoing discussion, and I wanted to open it to the greater baristi community - so here it is.
With this sort of thing, a society intended to advance the profession and appreciation of specialty coffee at large, what ought the benefits be to an owner or operator?
Put another way, if you were the owner of a coffee shop or roaster (should be very easy to imagine for some of you!), what would you be looking to get out of joining an organization like ours, the Providence Coffee Society? Improved marketing? Karmic Advancement?
SAO
As some of you may be aware, "The" Todd Mackey and I have recently started a group dedicated to the advancement of specialty coffee in our mini-metropolis out here in Scenic New England. Our organization is open to anyone and everyone, and has been attended by roasters, baristi, and home enthusiasts, We've been having an ongoing discussion, and I wanted to open it to the greater baristi community - so here it is.
With this sort of thing, a society intended to advance the profession and appreciation of specialty coffee at large, what ought the benefits be to an owner or operator?
Put another way, if you were the owner of a coffee shop or roaster (should be very easy to imagine for some of you!), what would you be looking to get out of joining an organization like ours, the Providence Coffee Society? Improved marketing? Karmic Advancement?
SAO
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brady on
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I've been involved with two communities like this in Charlotte NC, as well as the regional BGA community, so can speak a bit to the way that the various members of the community can benefit.
The big benefit for shops is increased staff knowledge and ability. Getting barista together, even if it is just for a latte art throwdown, gives them the ability to learn from each other. It can also be a motivator for them to learn more. Educational sessions are even better, helping them develop better technique, awareness of flavors, understanding of origin cultures, etc.
For shops that are hosting events, there is definitely a bit of increased visibility in the local community. I think current and prospective customers view your shop in a different light as a result - as being a "coffee authority". That, and the coffee people that attend your shop's event are more likely to stop in in the future. Members of our coffee community in Charlotte tend to visit each others' shops far more often now that we used to... which is a nice (albeit small) boost.
Don't dismiss the networking opportunities available at events like these. Owners, operators, and managers get a chance to meet barista that are interested in the profession, and get a small sense for what they are like on the bar. Baristas get advanced awareness of positions coming open or people that are hiring... and get to make impressions on their peers that can be helpful when spots come open. I know several cases of managers hiring baristas they've met at events like this.
Customers get the benefit of increased product awareness. This is a big benefit to quality-oriented shops... you get to help "build a better customer" that will hopefully become more interested in quality. Once they learn what "good coffee" is, you've limited your competition for this customer significantly...
Lots of benefits to things like this. Hope your community continues to grow. Good luck!
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