My wife and i opened a coffeehouse/roaster in a little college town in NY. Our only competition was a coffee house that was well established, but was very low quality. 7 second extractions, permanently cook-on milk on the stream wands, etc.When we opened we heard a lot of positive feedback,and still do. Obviously I'm biased, but we really do have the best coffee in town.
Our spot is very small. VERY. It's in an alright location, and we have the best landlord in town. They have worked with us from day 1, letting us do anything we want to the place, and even dropping the rent to help us when we first opened. (they did this on their own).
The other place has the best place in town and is for sale. The guy is motivate to sell, but I wouldn't be able to relocate my roaster. I would like to grab that place, move the coffee house there, but keep the roasting operation at our current locale. I would keep a coffee brewer at the roastery, but take the espresso machine.
So: Pros for place 1:
already there, great landlord, already established customer base, lower rent
Cons: not best location, limited space for customers/business expansion
Pros for #2
better location, years of established customer base, closer to downtown and where the college kids are, bigger store
cons: higher rent, can't have the roaster there, needs redecorating
What do you all think? What should I be thinking about, looking into, considering? I don't have the numbers for the other business yet, but before I make any decisions, I will.
Thanks
B.
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