Opening a Cafe and or Coffee Shop

My Husband and I have an empty space that we would like to convert into a cafe or coffee house. This would be a totally new project for us. But we feel that the neighborhood could use something refreshing.(Albany Park). Is there anyone out there that can offer guidance or direction. We are also trying to get feedback as to what people would like to see.. We'ld like to finish our nitch and go with it... Help........

Hi lili, welcome to LTH.

There was a similar question a while back, perhaps the responses there would be helpful for you too:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=9457

Amata

Thanks for your help...

lili wrote:Thanks for your help...

I have this sad vision of you going off with a heavy heart after reading jazzfood's harsh (but no doubt realistic) appraisal of the situation...

Maybe you could be landlords, and limit your expended energy to contacting successful independent cafes in other neighborhoods. For example the Grind opened in Lincoln Square relatively recently and they seem to have come out of the gate running pretty well. Maybe someone like that who has mastered one location is interested in trying a second?

I don't know, I've never been a landlord nor a restaurateur , but I don't see why you couldn't be selective (or proactive) about finding good tenants, moderate your own risks, and still promote your goal of seeing a cafe in your neighborhood.

Thanks Joe! We actually own the building that we would want to open a coffee house/cafe in. It's been a passion of mine for a very long time... I know ther's a lot of work involved in something like this, so I have a lot to think about and prepare...

I plan on visiting some coffee houses and hopefully speak to an owner and get some feedback on questions I might have....

If anyone knows of a consultant who would be interested in working with us that would be helpful too... Just wanted to throw that out there...

Lili

Joe,

We have thought about the idea of leasing the space to someone like the Grind.We just don't want a chain.. We would like it to be unique and yet a place that's comfortable for people to come and hang out.

Lili

germuska wrote:

lili wrote:Thanks for your help...

I have this sad vision of you going off with a heavy heart after reading jazzfood's harsh (but no doubt realistic) appraisal of the situation...

Personally, I missed the original thread. However, I would not say that the appraisal was harsh. However, it was very accurate.

Running a cafe is one of the most difficult (and time consuming) things that you'll ever do. Few people really understand the amount of time and capital required to run a food oriented business to PROFITABILITY.

For the record, in my career, I have returned two money-losing operations to profitability (in my younger days) but 16 hour days and 80 hour weeks were not uncommon.

And do remember not to repeat some of the goofy mistakes made by a coffee house owner locally. The guy was open from 9-5. We was complaining that he had no business. No kidding. I told him that Starbucks was open from 6 am -10 pm for a reason. His response was "If I wanted to work THAT many hours, I would have stayed at my corporate job." Needless to say, the business was gone in six months.

For what it's worth, I would totally dig a good coffee shop in Albany Park! Maybe somewhere on Lawrence between Pulaski and the brown line?

Well, thanks for the response. The coffee house/cafe would be in the Montrose/Kedzie area.. Hopefully would come and check it out anyway...

I highly recommend "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting & Running a Coffee Bar" by Gilbert, Martin, and Formichhelli. It's available at bookstores for $16.95 and a "must read" for any entrepreneur venturing into the java junkie business.

Best of luck in your new venture.

CSD

Business Instructor
www.hotdogu.com

hello,

i'm a chef and restaurant consultant that has worked on many openings, including a few cafes and coffee shops. if you send me a private message or an email at elakin@excite.com, i'd be happy to discuss this further with you.

lili wrote:My Husband and I have an empty space that we would like to convert into a cafe or coffee house. This would be a totally new project for us. But we feel that the neighborhood could use something refreshing.(Albany Park).

Lili,

Just wondering if you were aware of Cups Coffee and Tea at 4645 N. Kedzie? They opened a month or so ago and seem to fill the niche you are describing.

Cups on LTHForum
Cups on Reader blog

Enjoy,
Gary

I would first contact SCORE, which works hand-in-hand with the Small Business Administration. I believe you can get free counseling before you start your business from retired executives who have experience in the type of business you are planning to open. I will disclose up front that my father is a vounteer SCORE counselor, but not in the restaurant field. I would at least check out their website before blindly rushing into this.

www.SCORE.org

Suzy

HI,

You may want to consider also getting a job in a coffee house to learn the ropes and see if you really like it before risking your money.

Regards,

the reason for my harsh but i assure you realistic assesment is that i am a professional chef and restaurant consultant. i've worked in just about every aspect of the business over my 25 yr career w/numerous successful ongoing projects as we speak. i'd be glad to talk to you in greater detail if so inclined. pm me if you like.

Hi there!

I'd just like to share an article I found on the net for people who are thinking of opening up their own coffee shop.

http://opencoffeeshopbusiness.blogspot.com/

This series of articles gives great help, tips, and tricks that could potentially save you tons of money getting your plans into motion.

Hope this helps.

All the best!

I think it's a really great idea to open a coffee shop in that neighborhood. I'm literally a few blocks from that area, near California and Western. Personally, I would try to get a really good grasp on the demographics of that area, and then plan accordingly. For example, I'm kind of in the Lincoln Square area, so you would expect more quasi, artsy places.

The area of Kedzie and Montrose is also changing really quick, and lots of young professionals are starting to move into buildings. I remember the owner of a club I once worked for told me to find out what everyone else is doing, and then try something totally different. If you do open the coffee shop, please let me know. I'm a coffee lover and will hop my bike anyday of the week for a good cup of Joe!