• Login / Register

  Username:

  Password:

  Remember me

• Int. Coffee Database

  Search the Internet Coffee Database

• Events!

  No dates present

• Google Friends

• Archives

  Select Month February 2012 January 2012 November 2011 September 2011 July 2011 June 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007

• Most Recent Posts

  • SCRBC 2012 Update: Registration Now Open
  • SCRBC 2012 News
  • Barista Throwdown League – West Texas

• TX-Coffee Flickr Group

  

Now Hiring: Thunderbird Coffee – Austin

(via: Craigslist)

Do you dream of a job with a flexible schedule, fun co-workers, a healthy environment, and a product you can be proud of? Then Thunderbird Coffee may be the perfect place for you!

Want to know more? Here’s what some of the employees at Thunderbird Coffee have to say:

“Our regulars are awesome. Getting to know our customers is one of the best parts of the job.” –Becca

“I love having direct communication with the people I work for. It makes me feel like I actually matter.” –Mark

“I’ve never had a problem getting a day off when I needed it.” –Ryan

“The coffee is so good. I really feel proud of what I serve.” –Bob

“Not only is the coffee great, but we have really awesome beer.” –Ryan

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, come in to Thunderbird Coffee at 1401 Koenig on Sunday, August 30 at 12:00 noon for an audition with our hiring managers. Please also bring your resume and any references.

Due to the high volume of applicants we got last time, we are making it our priority to see as many people as possible and call the best and the brightest back for further discussion.

DO have a great attitude!
DO bring your resume and references.
DO be ready to tell us why YOU are the best person for the job!

DO NOT come in any time before Sunday, August 30, at 12:00 noon.
DO NOT call or e-mail about this position.
DO NOT worry. If we can’t see everyone who shows up on Sunday, we will schedule another audition date.

Positions are limited, and applicants will be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please show up on time!

• Location: Thunderbird Coffee
• Compensation: 6.55/hr+tips, 7.50/hr +tips

Random Picture Friday #18: Coffee Top Storage

(via: toxel.com)

Designer: Josh Harris

Product vs. Atmosphere

For many people, the idea is pretty straightforward in regards to restaurants and food.

1.  If the food is fantastic, but the place is a dump (i.e. – renouned barbecue joints), people will come back in droves.

2.  If the food is forgetable and the service was good, it tells you something about the place.

3.  If the food is wonderful, the service is great, but the ambience is lacking, you will notice, but you will still return.

4.  If  the ambience is fantastic, the service is great, but the food is mediocre, the odds are good that you will not return because while it scored highly on the peripherals, it missed it where it counts.

Why is this different than in part 2, where the business will still survive?  Expectations.

In scenario 4, it seems that the ambience and service were building up to a glorious climax of fantastic cuisine.  The food did not deliver, and thus, the entire experience is anti-climatic.  They will not have bad things to say, necessarily, but the odds of their returning are very slim.

This is very easily understood by most people.  You don’t get innovative high end cuisine from Applebee’s , but you also don’t expect it when going in, even if your neighborhood location has great service.

Translated to specialty coffee retailing, one can use the same logic.  If a fortune is spent on the ambience, and the service is knock-your-socks-off-great, one should expect the coffee to be on level as well.  More often than not, the coffee fails to deliver the satisfaction of a culinary climax to the experience, yet many of these places ride the wave of niche market branding.  The niche of Specialty Coffee.

Many have gotten away with it for a long time in part, I believe, because the mediocrity found at well-known ubiquitous chains became the standard for the average consumer.  Serve the same with a better cultural feel, and it’s low-hanging fruit:  gauranteed success.

So why are we seeing some of these places going out of business these days?

The economy is partially to blame.  This is a factual truth.  The big chains are feeling the effects as is evidenced by their menu changes and shifts in marketing strategy.  People are still willing to spend money, but now they are paying more attention to the value of what their money is getting them.  In short, they are more concerned with the quality of the products they are buying.  (key word: products)

While the service may have stepped up a notch, and while prices may have been reduced, some retailers may find their sales still dropping.  Take the new French “fooding” approach.  Give them more for their money.  Great coffee can be easily approachable for the average joe (no pun intended).

This doesn’t have to mean spending more money(although it could).  I am often amazed at how many retailers don’t actually take the time to learn about coffee before opening a company that specializes in making and serving it.  Many have been convinced that selling culture is the way to run a coffee house, but what good is that for people who drop in on their way to work in the morning?  All those people want is a great cup of coffee done well, and done in a timely manner.  This means that what is important for a profitable coffee retailer is, above all, the quality of their products.

Yes, atmosphere is important, but in a hierarchy of factors, I would argue that it takes a back seat to product quality.  After all, you’re not selling atmosphere.  Atmosphere is intended to draw people in to buy products.  It is secondary.

In a time when it is important to really focus, why not take a look at your shop’s coffee and training program.  Is it enough?  Have you shopped your competition?  What can you learn from each other?  It may be time to reevaluate things, and to start focusing on the heart and soul of your business.  Your products.

SB's Espresso Happy Hour: Lubbock, TX

Via Facebook:

Sugar Brown’s Coffee is feeling generous. Espresso happy hour – take a break from your back-to-school shopping with a free espresso macchiatto Tuesday from 1-3 pm!

You heard it here.  What a great way to promote new customers to try them out.  Also a great way for existing customers to try a real macchiato, risk free.

Creative Summer Drinks

It’s big.  It’s bright.  It’s hot.   Right now, it’s taking it all out on us.

It’s the middle of June, and while it’s not officially summer, you probably wouldn’t know it from stepping outside.

Here in Lubbock, we’ve seen a massive increase in cold and blended beverage sales, and a nose-dive in hot espresso sales.  Like any season, summer is an opportunity to turn a changing demand into an increase in sales.

There are a number of things to implement as “limited time” products, such as shakeratos, affogato, and other common menu items, but why limit yourself?

There is an abundance of seasonal fruit available these days.  Why not make use of them?  Syrups are the common go-to item for many “signature drink” categories,but it doesn’t have to be this way!

Why not try adding blueberries to an iced blended latte made with a single origin Harrar or Sidamo espresso?  Or why not add a hint of mango  to a shakerato made with a chocolate-and-fruit noted espresso?

These are just off the top of my head, but I know there are LOTS of creative drinks out there, and we want to hear about YOUR ideas.  We’d like to hear from customers as well as baristas, on this one.

(photo source)

The Coffee Haus Downtown: Arlington, TX

I received an email recently asking that The Coffee Haus Downtown be added to our list of Roasters and Retailers.

This shop was apparently one of the first businesses in the downtown Arlington’s urban renewal, and I suspect carries the same Coffee Haus name as has been present in the DFW area for years, though that has not been verified.

The Coffee Haus Downtown has been added to our list of Roasters and our list of Retailers.

The Coffee Haus Downtown

208 S. Mesquite St.

Arlington, TX  76010

817-795-5790

info@thecoffeehausdowntown.com

Random Picture Friday #12: Identity Crisis

Consider this the Tonight Show Headlines equivalent of Random Picture Friday.

The following listing seems to be an exercise in confusology.  It’s a bird!  It’s a plane!  It’s.. both?

Simply Unpossible

SANDWICH SHOP/COFFEE SHOP/CAFE FOR SALE

http://www.businesssalesonline.com/For-Sale/Cafes-For-Sale-And-Tea-Rooms-Coffee-Shops-For-Sale-In-Cheshire-17955.asp

Coffee 'N' Cream Open House Next Weekend: Allen(DFW)

As taken from an email announcement:

FREE Food! Live Music! iPod Give Away! Open House Saturday May 16 @ Coffee N Cream

Please join us this Saturday, May 16th, 2-4p.  We are formally introducing our CNC Own Baked(tm) line of fresh baked, “home made” bakery sensations.  Come sample some of your favorites ”N” celebrate with us.  We have a fun afternoon planned!

mycoffeencream.com

The Pearl Cup Launches New Website: Dallas

I saw through a Twitter feed that The Pearl Cup has finally launched their finished website.  They have menu images linked, and a coupon for $1 off of a Pearl Latte (their signature latte.. “secret recipe”) with the purchase of any baked good that you can print for use.

I tried to visit The Pearl Cup about a mont ago, but they had just closed by the time we arrived.  (nudge)

Check it Out!

Once Over Coffee Bar Grand Opening: Austin, TX

As taken from an email:

Come one, come all to ONCE OVER COFFEE BAR’S GRAND OPENING PARTY!

Saturday, May 2nd 2pm-6pm
2009 S. 1st Street (between Mary and Live Oak*)

LIVE MUSIC

The Brimmers – 4pm

Saint Joe’s Choir – 3pm

FREE BEER (while it lasts) on the new deck over looking Bouldin Creek

FREE CAPPUCCINOS 2pm-4pm

*find additional parking on Once Over’s side of Live Oak, please do not park in front of houses if possible, thanks!

See you there!

« Previous Page — Next Page »

• TX-Coffee Sponsors

  -
  

• Get Social

  
  

  
  

  TX-Coffee.com on Facebook

  
  

• Advertisement

  
  

  

• TX-Coffee Rulez

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Texas Coffee People

  Top coffee blogs