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Jennifer Miller

Reading, Pennsylvania

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: coffee shop owner, coffee enthusiast
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): Mt. Penn (Reading), Pennsylvania
How many years have you been in the industry?: New!
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?: maybe
About Me:: I'm an ex-meeting and event planner who wanted to do something different. My coffeehouse, Perkiomen Perk, is coming eventually!

We've run into some huge obstacles, but are working through them with everything we have. In the meantime, we are partnering with our roaster on private labeling beans and selling them privately to keep the brand out in the community! Why not get our future customers hooked on our coffee now?
About My Company:: Perkiomen Perk will be a true neighborhood gathering spot: comfortable, convenient, and a place for all to experience and learn about great coffee. We want to serve the highest quality product, provide a great experience, and be a true partner in the community.
Website:: http://www.perkiomenperk.com

Comment Wall:

scott conary

Good Luck! Let me know if you need a coffee source, or any other help....I am a big fan of the Pagoda (I used to do the biathlon series) and the Mt. Penn Mudfest run! And of course the Tap Room....

Feb 11, 2008
Tina Putman

Hi Jennifer
Good luck on your shop. If you ever want to chat, or share info let me know.

Feb 21, 2008
Tina Putman

I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning. I needed double the amount of capital I had estimated just for the first year. Looking back I would have taken one of the 5-day barista courses. I would have opened with a POS system in place to control loss.
If you haven't been trained properly its very hard to train your employees. I also didn't have maintaince contracts set up for the espresso machine, refrigeration, air-conditioning... I love what I do but its a daily challenge. We are open 7-days a week, and must also have food sales. You aren't too far from me, I'm in the Shenandoah Valley.
What roaster are you using?

Feb 22, 2008
Doreen Landis

cool! thanks Jennifer, can't wait to check out your cafe in the summer. i used to work at the reading hospital and one of my partners steph currently works in shillington. good luck with everything.

Feb 22, 2008
Tina Putman

Hi Jennifer, sounds as though you do have a good foundation, much better that the way I started out.
I was at Coffee Fest also! My Cafe is open 7 days a week and I have 11 employee. I know the rule of thumb is to keep food at a minimum but I have to have it in my area. We are the only coffee shop in town but there is still not enough to support just a coffee shop. I had to be creative.
I am using Kaffee Magnum Opus as my roasters, they were at Coffee Fest. They have amazing customer service & support! I went through two other roasters before finding them. I order, they roast & ship. I am ordering approximately 75lbs a week, which is good for my small place. I love their organic Colombian. good luck with everything

Feb 25, 2008
Tina Putman

Hi Jennifer
I know what you mean, I just put up new menu boards last week and it made me insane. I wish I could tell you it gets easier, but it doesn't it. I would still do it again.
I am looking at a coffee roaster in Rockville Md,
Mayorgacoffee.com
You might want to check them out if you haven't made a decison yet.
If you need anything let me know

Mar 5, 2008
Loren Anthony

Thanks Jennifer and good luck to you.. Im new @ this myself but if there's anything I could help with let me know!

You should also add Troy Reynard he has a coffeehouse in Pennsylvania !

Mar 19, 2008
Loren Anthony

Yes I have a quick word of advice. Try not to let your customers customize your coffeehouse too much!

In other words...

Don't run out and find a goat just because a customer asked for goat's milk! lol

Suggest soy instead! :-P

Mar 23, 2008
Becky

Thanks, I would love to share info. We are in need of good equipment and are interested in the Nuovo Simonelli line but not sure where to purchase. Also, since we live in rural Iowa we need to get some good training and again, not sure where to go.

Mar 26, 2008
John Owens

Jennifer: Email me when you get a chance and I'll update you on my trip to the roaster. I'm also heading to the SCAA event in Minneapolis.

Mar 27, 2008
Matthew Alston

I just want say Hi and see how you are doing. Just got back from vacation with friends down in Long Beach, California. So hard to leave 90 degree weather and come back to snow and rain in Portland. Wow! Hope you are doing great! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Mar 31, 2008