There's no doubt that opening a coffeehouse seems like a auspicious business plan, giving current consumers' craving for all things caffeine and sweetness. As a consumer myself, I can name you more than 10 coffeehouses under 10 seconds. However, just like fads, some coffeehouses close down just as fast they set it up. Main reason is usually being that there isn't enough income to upkeep the perpetually rising economy.
As such, I dedicate this post as to the features of successful coffeehouses (from a consumer's perspective, of course).
1) Always Stay Connected
With the global demand to stay online 24/7, WIFI has become an urban survival need on par with water and air. As depressing as it may be, we need Internet these days if we want to keep up with the ever changing trends. Thus, coffeehouses are the best place to sit down and stay connected with the world since we can chill with a cup of coffee while a jazzy/lounge music is playing in the background (the playlists usually consist of early 2000s songs, much to my delight).
This is a top priority for patrons who do not have Internet at home (me included) or a slow one for that matter. Let's face it, students and employees these days are in dire need of Internet to complete their work which consist of surfing the web. For my case, I need to update myself with all the Youtube videos I subscribed to and not to mention, writing this blog.
Additionally, having WIFI alone is not enough. You need fast speed. Don't forget, people are becoming more hectic and everything must be on the go. That includes the WIFI. If the cafe doesn't have WIFI, it's horrible for business but if the cafe has slow WIFI, you get horrible reviews. At the very least, those parlours without WIFI are honest about not being connected to the web. As for those with slow Internet, patrons might cash in with the thought that they can surf the net at the place but those frowns would turn into frustrations, especially in the attempt of watching a Youtube video. They will feel cheated and the cafe would be unwelcomed with horrible reviews posted on social networks, like a Shyamalan movie.
Thus, to pack a coffeehouse with patrons, you need good and fast WIFI.
2) Freshly Brewed Goodness
To be known as a coffeehouse, you need coffee (duh!) but not just any coffee. It is undeniable that venues like Starbucks or Coffeebean are well-known, even if they have unstable WIFI. They offer freshly brewed caffeinated beverages with a beguiling fragrance that captivates a tensed mind like a hormonally charged teenager falling in love for the first time. Such aroma would bring even the most indefatigable business executives to their knees.
Each successful coffeehouse should possess its own signature beverage. For instance, Starbucks has its infamous Signature Hot Chocolate. It sounds like a recipe for diabetes but the chocolaty goodness is too strong to resist. Some coffeehouses like the one I'm currently in - Scooters - have its own unique drink. Scooters offers a ball of cotton candy to compliment the coffee served to you. Even a greasy fast food restaurant like McDonald has its own brand of beverage endemic to its franchise - The Himalayan Tea. Contrary to its image of everything fried and oily, I'm quite fond of the Himalayan Tea.
3) The Rest of the Menu
While coffees are the quintessential of a coffeehouse, having a menu of varieties of goody treats always appeases a demanding crowd. Whoever says they do not have a craving for cakes and desserts are liars on a diet. Almost all coffeehouses I've been to have some cakes on display behind glass casing. The more colorful the display, the more 'ka-ching' you hear from the cash register. We are all fat little kids on the inside and we crave the delicious sweetness a cake can fulfill.
Some other cafes provide a different kind of menu. One of them is Meteora, a cafe near my workplace. It provides lunch meals and desserts like cheerios. It's not often you find such a treat in Malaysia. Basically, a myriad menu is appreciated by a myriad of customers.
4) Social Friendly Atmosphere
When you're meeting up with friends and you tired of walking aimlessly around the mall, the next place location to hang around is a coffeehouse. With the access to the Internet to respond the ever prerequisite Whatsapp messages and the taste of good coffee, you are in good mood to spend some wonderful time with your friend chatting about the insignificance of your life. As a social being, we humans need constant social contact.
Homes are usually off limits due to the presence of prying parents and dirty secret behind bedrooms. Thus, a location is needed to gossip about the studious students that always scoring A or the co-worker that seems to brag about being the boss's favourite. A coffeehouse offers the sort of ambiance one can sink into relaxation and release all the boxed up thoughts of hurdles of life. A hipster environment is an added advantage as it rubs off some of its authenticity to the customers, making them feel as though they are hipsters without even trying.
As such, an impeccable coffeehouse should contain a well air-conditioned room but leaving enough room for the caffeinated aroma to dance across the room. As mentioned beforehand, music is essential as well. Customers come to relax. So the playlists should not include any hardcore rock'n'roll or the R&B/Pop nonsense that has been filling radio these days. Lastly and dare I say it, the toilet should be homely as well. No one likes a dirty toilet. Nice decors like flower pots and pebbles are sufficient to transform a place of bad odour to an imagined room of comfort for deep thoughts of life.
And that's my reasons as to how a coffeehouse can be successful. Of course, there are many other reasons which I may have neglected but I believe that these fours should be an owner's priority. If the coffeehouse provides just the right conditions, a customer could literally stay here for 6 hours straight. Yup, I have been staying in this cafe since 5pm and it's almost 11pm. I better sign off before the owner realizes I'm free loading on their complimentary water. Ciaoz
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