How to open a successful coffee house: Society Coffee starts with the ideal location in Harlem.Lively activity inside a small restaurant catches the attention of a young couple waiting to cross Frederick Frederick, city, United States Frederick, city (1990 pop. 40,148), seat of Frederick co., NW Md.; settled 1745, inc. 1817. The processing center of a fertile farm and dairying area, it makes beer, household items, optical and glass products, leather goods, Douglass Boulevard in Harlem Harlem, residential and business section of upper Manhattan, New York City, bounded roughly by 110th St., the East River and Harlem River, 168th St., Amsterdam Ave., and Morningside Park. . They peer inside large glass windows to see patrons having a good Lime at Society Coffee, a chic espresso and wine bar that 30-year-old Harlem entrepreneur entrepreneur (än'trəprənûr`) [Fr.,=one who undertakes], person who assumes the organization, management, and risks of a business enterprise. Karl Franz Karl Franz, Emperor of the Empire and Elector Count of Reikland is a fictional character in Games Workshop's Warhammer Fantasy setting and may be used as the General of an Army of the The Empire in the Warhammer Fantasy Battle table top wargame. Williams launched last year. The shop is packed with an eclectic e·clec·tic adj. 1. Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles: an eclectic taste in music; an eclectic approach to managing the economy. 2. mix of locals, young professionals, and college students. Everyone is chatting, networking, and sipping coffee or wine while eating the signature waffles. For Williams, this scene represents the culmination of his dream after moving to Harlem four years ago. "I wanted to provide a different dining option for Harlem, other than traditional soul food and Caribbean cuisine Caribbean cuisine is a fusion of African, Amerindian, French, Indian, and Spanish cuisine. These traditions were brought from the many homelands of this region's population. ," says Williams, who realized that the local housing being built along Frederick Douglass Boulevard and the avenue's proximity to Columbia University Columbia University, mainly in New York City; founded 1754 as King's College by grant of King George II; first college in New York City, fifth oldest in the United States; one of the eight Ivy League institutions. and Central Park made it an ideal location for Society Coffee. Williams is one of a growing number of entrepreneurs taking advantage of the nationwide love affair with specialty coffee. He financed his startup with $50,000 in personal savings, $150,000 from a home equity loan, and another $150,000 from a Small Business Administration loan. Coffee industry trends indicate that Williams' investment will pay off. The Specialty Coffee Association of America's report, Specialty Coffee Retail in the USA 2004-2005, shows that total market revenues increased to $9.62 billion in 2004, up from $7.53 billion in 1999. Want to Open a Successful Coffee Shop? Consultant Alex Fisenko offers this advice: Get enough financing for your venture. Presenting solid five-year financial projections in your business plan is the first step toward getting financing. Startup costs for a drive-through coffee location range from $40,000 to $150,000; for a coffee shop, they range from $60,000 to $350,000. Find a proper location, Set up your coffee shop where it is highly visible, close to high foot-traffic; and easily accessible by a large number of potential customers. Spend your investment wisely. You can save thousands of dollars by hiring an experienced consultant. Alex Fisenko & Associates (www.espresso business.com) and Bellissimo (www.espresso101.com) are two consultants that have the expertise to answer all your questions about opening a specialty coffee business. |
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