(I feel like I keep spamming this thing, but there's just a ton of cool news!)
So I got to talk to Shmanny last night about the coffee shop where she works at Purdue, called Greyhouse Coffee (http://www.greyhousecoffee.com). Man guys, God is a funny one. Basically I just explained to her (or tried anyway) what we summed up in our vision posts/business meeting and then asked her what her shop is like. And she basically said that everything I just described is what their shop is. So I mean, regardless of the fact that it would be awesome to go there, and we can't, what a cool affirmation that something like what we want is out there, and it's working!
Greyhouse is kind of like Red Rock in that it's owned and run by a church, but with the added twist that they're focused on college ministry like we might want to be. Just like downtown Davis would be, they're not on campus, but just a few blocks away, making them a really convenient hub for students to go hang out.
I tried to explain the whole customers:campers::staff:staff::community:dock hands metaphor, and she said that's pretty much their goal too. She doesn't know how they do it without being discriminatory or even asking really, but all the staff are Christians and ministry to customers is part of their training, à la SupesUlt. First they learn about making drinks and all the machinery, and then they talk about having conversations with customers, being intentional with regulars, etc. It sounds like pretty much all their staff are Purdue students too, which is really cool. It sounds like they have a LOT of staff, so they can work around people's school schedules pretty easily, something which probably won't be in our future, at least for a while, but is good to note.
And as for the quality issue that Barlow mentioned, Greyhouse is definitely all over that. They're fair trade, and really legit about the quality of their coffee and drinks. They use Intelligentsia Coffee (http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/), which doesn't really mean anything to any of us at the moment, but I'm researching it. Apparently they're really good. She also she she could find out who their suppliers are for other things and let me know.
Oh, and ALL their coffee is french pressed. I knew I liked these guys.
Another thing that makes them distinctive (and we should probably think of something along these lines) is that they also have crepes and gelato. Granted, crepes isn't going to set us apart much in Davis, but it would be really good to have a little something else besides coffee and pastries, so maybe we can brainstorm that one.
The one thing I don't necessarily like about Greyhouse is that they're open on Sundays. They're really good about switching schedules around so employees only have to miss church about once a month, but I'm pretty adamant about being closed on Sundays. I think that intentional example is a really important part about ministry to the community.
And in her personal opinion, we should have one exposed brick wall because it makes any coffee shop that much cooler. Hahah.
And one final side note: the wedding is either going to be in August if the BF graduates on time or December if he doesn't. If you wanted to know. :)
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And now two unrelated things:
One is this link: Mistakes to Avoid in Setting Up Your Church Coffee Shop
And two is that I forgot to mention that Mike O and I talked a lot about membership stuff in the car as well. I know we've talked a little bit about having "regular mugs" like they have at the little ice cream place in Walnut Grove, so Mike and I talked about the actual practicality of making that happen, how much the initial cost would be, the question of free refills. Again, I wish I had more constructive things to post about it, but I wanted to at least make a note of it here as something to think about.
That's all, folks! Love you both. Talk to you soon.
Haha you are far from spamming this site. Just don't start posting bike advertisements. Or maybe do.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool and very encouraging. So we can or can't go to Indiana? Maybe we could at least do a phone interview with the manager?
I need to talk through not being open on Sundays more. BUH I really wish I could talk to both of you instead of typing, but oh well, this is good for me :). I believe we should honor Sundays. I want our business to have a rhythm for wholeness and as I'm trying to learn how to better function within a 6+1 lifestyle, I want our business to reflect that as well. So why am I hesitating? I think a lot of it is a huge trust and probably pride issue. I see Sundays as one of the biggest days of the week for a coffee shop (none of this is fact, it's just my thought process). Between the pre/post church goers, the Sunday morning family outing crowds, and the weekend studiers, I see Saturdays and Sundays as our big days. They're our people, the coffee goers, and they emerge in great numbers on Sundays. It's not about money (completely), but about being available- just as the admin team comes to life on the weekend while the rest of the team is seeking to be refreshed. But then I hear another voice. Honor thy God, Alyssa. You are not the main player and I will do more good when you are closed then you could ever do open on your own. There is something we and our coffee shop can only access when we stop and worship for that "+1" day. By honoring our Father we are truly trusting Him with 'our flock' and our finances. And I think that hits the nail on the head as far as where I'm struggling and I hope it makes a little sense. It's the circle of believing some businesses should be open on Sundays and then realizing God is WAY bigger than that... who do I think I am? Being closed (to me) on Sunday is radical. Radical in a good way, but a way that I'm struggling with (also in a good way).
I'd also like to remind you both that Chik-fil-a is closed on Sundays.
Fun link!
I'm excited by the prospect of #5: "Music and what type of music and when is it played . Does it set the enviroment or not used at all. Do you use bands to draw crowds or drive off customers?" Sometimes I get excited by the little things like listening to what each of you would pick to play over the speakers. I think I know what it would be and it makes me happy.
I needed to see #7: It's a good reminder now, and will be a great reminder later.
#7" "Trying to do too much. Coffee shops enviroments are made over time with the right blends of service; worship and people. Not try and force the issue."
PS I didn't mean for that entire post to be about something unrelated to the Shmann shop. There's so much good stuff about Greyhouse Coffee and I am excited by what they're doing. The least of which being: how do they make enough coffee with french presses, and can we do that?
ReplyDeleteAHHH, now who's spamming? I can't stop myself. I just looked at their website and it's AWESOME!. We must go to Indiana. Please, maybe not right away, but eventually.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how they make that much pressed coffee. I'll have to ask.
ReplyDeleteAnd Chik-fil-a is definitely closed on Sundays. As well as Cloud Forest, interestingly enough. I really want to talk to Steph Gross about that one pretty soon.
And I totally hear you that "our demographic" is found in ABUNDANCE in coffee shops on Sundays, which is kind of disconcerting to me too, but you know, just because we're closed as a business doesn't mean our facility is necessarily closed. We can still use it for other things, like a Sunday evening service or something. And maybe someone who wanders over expecting us to be open like everyone else will be pleasantly surprised.
After looking at the Greyhouse Coffee website, I REALLY would want to go to Indiana, I just wish it wasn't in Indiana. As I look at everything they're about, and their focus on community and quality I think they could be a HUGE resource as we continue to investigate and learn about what this all looks like.
ReplyDeleteI was getting a little bit nervous as I looked at pictures of their facilities and absolutely loved how comfortable it looked, and also how PROFESSIONAL it looked. Quality signage and furniture seem somewhat vital to me, but then I start seeing dollar signs...