Independent Coffee's topics - tribe.net

Favorite Coffee Shop?

DarklingThrush — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 10:10:25 GMT

What is your favorite coffee shop? What makes it so special? Why might the rest of us want to go out of our way to check it out?

posted in Independent Coffee - 18 replies

College Park/Greenbelt, Maryland area cafe

ecrivaine32 — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 22:34:11 GMT

I recently discovered the New Deal Cafe (www.newdealcafe.com) as a newcomer, and I love it. They have a lot of local events and are right across from the Prince George Theater in Greenbelt. They are one of those co-op establishments, and the staff is friendly. A lot of the regulars know one another, and it's nothing fancy, but it makes up for that in the heart and soul that it emanates.

So, if you are in the area of Maryland near D.C., you must check it out.

posted in Independent Coffee - 1 reply

come and check out my tribe

Eli — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:24:02 GMT

I wand to get this tribe up and running and need some people to bounce ideas off of.
E
http://tribes.tribe.net/coffeenerdswanted

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

The Black Spot - A Shameless Plug

jwalkmagic — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:09:38 GMT

The Black Spot Cafe - a name to warm any pirates heart.

Starting tonight they are hosting the first of what I hope will be many open mic nights.

Some of you on the Cape may remember the old Prodigal Son and what a rollicking good time was had by all at their open mic nights. Well the capt'n n crew of The Black Spot are hoping to revive the same spirit.

So hove to for a while and hoist a flagon o grog. Perhaps add to the merriment by sharing your own talent with the crowd.

Remember:

The Black Spot Cafe
10 Ocean St
Hyannis MA

As always.

Keep To The Code

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

New Cafe On Cape Cod

jwalkmagic — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 23:12:11 GMT

Opening in Hyannis MA will be The Black Spot Cafe.

A name to warm the heart of any freebooters out there.

The Black Spot is run by some very nice folks who are trying to return a nice comfortable neighborhood cafe to Hyannis.

For those who remember the old Prodigal Son that occupied the same location for many years this will be welcome news. For those who don't -what a place you missed.

Also available will be WiFi access for those of you who sail the Cyber Sea.Also starting next Wednesday they will be hosting a regular open mic night.

I hope all of you in the area and those who come for a visit will stop by and hoist a flagon of grog with Micah and his crew. I think it looks like it is going to me a fun port o call.

So if you are listing to larboard and need to hove to for a while its:

The Black Spot Cafe
10 Ocean St
Hyannis MA

And remember - Keep To The Code

PS

I am cross posting this - I want to spread the word as far as possible - so for those who are offended my humblest apologys.

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

my new Senseo tribe ...

SkOrPiTaRiO — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 21:34:58 GMT

My first tribe ...i'm the moderator ...

http://tribes.tribe.net/senseofans

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

I need a COFFEE VENDOR/CART for an ART MARKET happening in HOLLYWOOD

LittleBirdyToldMe — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:12:19 GMT

I am looking for a coffee vendor set up during an open air art market taking place on AUG 19 ion Hollywood, CA..

please email me for more info if interest..

julie@alittlebirdytoldme.com

CHEERS

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

Find and share independent coffee shops at indiecoffeeshops.com

indiecoffeeshops — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 23:34:13 GMT

The website indiecoffeeshops.com features a database of over 500 independent coffee shops in the US. We created the site based on the idea that unique gathering places (such as indie coffee shops) are crucial for a vital sense of community to thrive in a neighborhood. We do not promote, organize, or represent coffee shops, we simply provide coffee shop lovers a place to share information on the web.

Indiecoffeeshops.com is a Google maps based site that helps people to find local indie coffee shops. The big chains have websites mapping out all of their shops and we want to do the same for the indie shops. The shops in the database have been added by coffee lovers around the country. No login or account is necessary. Just go to the site and add your favorite shop! Also find us on myspace username indiecoffeeshops.

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

Best San Francisco indi cafes with wifi?

dalata — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 17:13:58 GMT

Hi am well versed with cafes in Berkeley, Oakland and the Peninsula and know if good coffee in SF but would like recommendations of great places to hang out.

I went to a cafe once on I think 18th and Sanchez or something. I live near Japantown so anywhere in walking radius from there would be awesome but I would love to hear about all good indi cafes you like.

Thanks

posted in Independent Coffee - 7 replies

Best tasting decaf

petra — Tue, 15 May 2007 05:31:11 GMT

A coffee-lover I know is trying to kick the caffeine habit, and I'm wondering what the best tasting instant decaf brands are please....I am willing to purchase online or in the Toronto area. Thank you :)

posted in Independent Coffee - 1 reply

New Indie Coffee-House to Open in MI: needs your ideas!

AjmWolfe — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 23:26:50 GMT

Hi all,

We've started a Yahoo Group for the purpose of gathering support and interest in an independent coffee house we plan to open in the northern suburbs of Metro-Detroit, Michigan. The group description is as follows:

"This group is for any and all individuals with the vision and desire to see a truly unique independent coffee house and rare/hard to find/used book-store open in eastern-central Oakland County."

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/boundandgrounds/

If you are interested, or even just curious, please check it out.

Key differences between our coffee-house and many corporate chains will include, but are not limited to:
- in-store roasting
- custom blended teas/ herbal infusions
- nonproprietary techniques; we plan to hold classes in home-roasting and tea blending
- the inclusion of a rare/used book store
- regular open-mike poetry, local bands/musicians, and game
tournaments
- design and wall space given to local artisans; we hope to allow gallery space for special viewings of photo, print/painting, jewelry, and small sculpture; artists may chose to sell their work through our location
- a desire to foster a feeling of community.

Our mission statement places high priority on making this a place where the customers feel like regulars, and the regulars feel that they have a say in the way we do business.

We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Yours in the bean,
Jaime and Adam Magy

posted in Independent Coffee - 4 replies

arghhhh Pirates Chai!

shiva_sha_linga — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 05:53:50 GMT

allo!

just wanted to let all of yu coffee monkers know about Pirates Chai if you dont already....super yummy good for yu spicy green tea chai that only sells to the independent coffee bars.

(no im not a salesperson...just addicted to the stuff and wanting to share the <3 )

gets it @ www.pirateschai.com

posted in Independent Coffee - 2 replies

I am new to this tribe

Principessa — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 03:59:01 GMT

I have just bought a coffee cart. I need advice about a location. I am in Seattle.

posted in Independent Coffee - 1 reply

new to the tribe, and the business

madame7 — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 07:48:58 GMT

Hi everyone,
I just opened a coffee shop on Eastlake Ave. in Seattle. My business is primarily a boutique for local apparel designers, but there seems to be more of a demand for good coffee in the neighborhood so i decided to do the coffee thing too. I had no idea what i was getting into but now i am immersed in the high art of espresso with no way out in sight. I decided that if i'm going to do it, i need to do it right. So i am serving Espresso Vivace from a beautifully refurbished La Marzocco, with Organic milk, and as soon as i get a handle on the coffee and the business i will be experimenting with some signature Latte art. I've been a barista before, but not like this. The guy i bought the machine from taught me a lot in just two days, and the rest i'm learning from David Schomer and from my own daily experience.

You can visit my website at www.gypsypalace.com to learn more about my business. I have not added the info about the cafe yet...i'm just too fried right now from pulling shots all day. I am looking for a morning barista so if any of you live in seattle and need a job or know someone competent, please let me know.

madame7

posted in Independent Coffee - 1 reply

Ode to Coffee

DarklingThrush — Sat, 30 Jul 2005 10:12:04 GMT

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Steamy coffee rich and dark,
your warm vitality
seeps into me,
arouses me,
your spicy scent seduces me
to exotic climes
where my mind wonders
what adventures led you?
To this heated moment
when you caress my lips
and fulfill my longing
with heady caffeination.

Growing up on your mountain
under rain song bird forest,
were your ripe cherries plucked
by loving hands
descended from Incan kings?
Or were you bundled into burlap,
tossed over broad black shoulders
of children from Timbuktu?
Spirited away and sold
to overseas bidders
by the Yemeni sons
of Sinbad himself?

You once tempted
the goats of Ethiopia
with promise of cavorting kicks
until the goatherds caught on,
and claimed you for themselves.

One thousand years later
you fired
mad bongo beat poet
goateed all night kicks
which still echo
through coffee shops around the world.

You've sailed the high seas
finally crossing the
Gulf of Mexico
right into Mobile Bay.
You were roasted
on a cool Sunday afternoon,
lazy and sunny,
made warmer
by your aroma
luring us to the counter
for one more sip.

And now that I have you in my hands,
I will not apologize!
For your abduction.

I clasp your cup,
breathe you in,
wrap my taste buds
around your full body,

and I am alive!

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

posted in Independent Coffee - 2 replies

Competing with Starbucks?

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 17:22:06 GMT

Does anyone know of an independent coffeehouse that currently competes directly (geographically at least) with Starbucks?

posted in Independent Coffee - 7 replies

Building online directory for Organic/Fair Trade coffee --need help!

OMO — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 01:59:33 GMT

Hey y'all,

I'm helping to build an online directory to sources for Organic/Fair Trade brewed coffee for a new grass-roots organic network.

We are looking for places where one can count on getting organic and/or fair trade brewed coffee ANY day of the week --not just randomly or on a rotating schedule with a dozen other varieties etc. Markets, cafes and coffee houses in this directory have made a point of spending more money to bring us a better brew & bring a little economic justice to coffee growers --often while charging less than the national chain outfits.

If you have a favorite place that you would like to see get some props & hopefully direct some business away from places that sound like "Four Bucks," you can either post the info here or visit the new site & enter info on easy form:

www.foow.org/omeanso/coffeedirectory

I can also be reached by email at
omeanso@foow.org

Cheers & be well,
J. Pierre Reville
ORGANIC MEANS ORGANIC
www.foow.org/omeanso.html

posted in Independent Coffee - 1 reply

Writting a Bus Plan

Tabasco — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 06:28:03 GMT

My partner and I are working on our Business Plan for a new cafe in Oakland. any recommendations from someone who has done it.

Tabasco

posted in Independent Coffee - 7 replies

Product offering in cafe

john — Sat, 05 Feb 2005 16:53:51 GMT

I was wondering if any of you have had success with offering products besides coffee and tea and pastries (i.e., coffee cups, teapots, chocolates, etc) We are thinking of adding this to our store and I just wanted to see what experience anyone else had with this.

Thanks
John

posted in Independent Coffee - 2 replies

Aloha all!

Rubicon_zen — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 14:38:25 GMT

Howzit everyone!
I just found this tribe while having ma' morning brew . I'm on the Big Island of Hawaii and own a cafe called the "Aloha Outpost". It can be found at www.alohaoutpost.com

a hui ho' !

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

Sulawesi Kalossie (Toraja)...

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 02:53:41 GMT

We're roasting this variety as a 'spotlight coffee' at Alakef this month.

Sulawesi is a small growing region in the South Pacific near Sumatra and Java.

It's rich, with a bit of spiciness and a good earthy body. No acidity, and a great rich flavor in the cup...

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

North Florida?

respectabiggle — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 23:52:05 GMT

Any purists in my area?

Thank you.

posted in Independent Coffee - 2 replies

Worker-Owned Bakery seeking baristas, prep folx and bakers

Crow — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 04:05:35 GMT

We are Nabolom Bakery, a 29 year old worker-owned collective bakery seeking workers who want to become worker-owners. We offer a respectful work environment creating and selling quality baked goods and drinks in the greenest food service establishment in the Bay Area. We have morning and evening store shifts, prep shifts and bake shifts available. Reliability, ability to work well with others and communicate effectively a must. We make croissants, muffins, cookies, cakes, pizza, a wide range of tasty vegan treats and the best danish in town. We are located in Berkeley's Elmwood neighborhood on Russell at College.
Email resumee or question to dharmabolt1@yahoo.com or call 510-253-8129

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

PSYCHOBABBLE - Vermont Ave. Los Feliz

kalamitee — Sun, 24 Jul 2005 21:53:05 GMT

I highly recommend it!

free wireless DSL with purchase!

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

Town Hall Meeting (Sun 6/19, 2-5pm)

cortt — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 15:57:12 GMT

Are you committed to building community? Do you have ideas about how to make the world more sustainable? Are you a performance or installation artist who has dreamed of the perfect venue for your project? Is there a community resource that would make the difference for your activist or community organization? Do you have revolutionary ideas for the future of private business and community?

At the upcoming Town Hall Meeting, presented by the Buffalo Joy Park Project, we will breathe life into a new Community and Arts Cafe coming as a revolution to Oakland. Your participation will make the difference!

Sunday, June 19, 2 - 5 pm
Visit: http://www.buffalojoypark.com

NOTE: Due to scheduling conflicts at the Crucible, we are moving the location of the Town Hall Meeting. We are currently looking for a new space for this amazing event. If you have ideas, please get in touch!

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

Roasting your own

Sir_Daniel — Sat, 21 Aug 2004 23:00:34 GMT

Hello all,

I too have struggled finding a good cup of joe, or a good roast of beans, that isn't all dry and flat, or burned to a chrisp.

Finally I gave in, and put a few beans to the fire. The popcorn popper method did not work for me, it produced a very dry, flavorless, flat roast, (I only made one attempt.) But simple pan-frying done wonders! I couldn't believe the result!

So, before you invest in a fancy roaster, or even after, take about an eight of a pound, and give your old frying pan a try.

Any advice or feedback is always wealcome.

Daniel
San Jose, CA

posted in Independent Coffee - 8 replies

know anything about the industry?

Rachel — Tue, 03 May 2005 02:11:05 GMT

I am in an introductory marketing class, and creating a target market project on independent coffeehouses. I have to get information on the marketing enviroment.

A few questions:
What are the current trends in the coffeehouse industry?
Is there any new technology that that plays an important role?
What are the political/legal factors involved in the industry?
Are there any ethical issues involved?

If you could answer even one of these, I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

Come visit Cafe A

infoTiger — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 16:58:24 GMT

Hi
Please come visit me in Concord at Cafe A.
We are a new business and trying to get lots of people to come in.
Oh and if you have any advice on marketing stratagies I would love to hear about them
*
S

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

Introduction for new member

john — Sun, 16 Jan 2005 16:22:01 GMT

Good morning all you coffee people. I just found this tribe and thought I would introduce myself. My name is John and I own a small independent coffee house in Alameda, Ca called Coffee for Thought. You can check us out at www.coffeeforthought.net
I'm looking forward to exchaning ideas and questions with all of you.

cheers,
John

posted in Independent Coffee - 1 reply

San Jose

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 06:02:28 GMT

Any recommendations? Especially near downtown?

posted in Independent Coffee - 1 reply

Roasting

PoolB — Mon, 12 Jan 2004 23:19:10 GMT

I've started home roasting with beans and advice from http://www.sweetmarias.com and it is amazingly easy. Previously I assumed roasting took lots of time and money, now I know it takes 15 min / 8 oz with my $50 homebrew roaster. There are also larger roasters, or in the other direction a simple air popcorn popper works.

I can now keep a wide variety of beans on hand because green beans store well, and have control over how dark I want to roast.

To translate this to a cafe business, you could keep several small roasting machines in a ventilated area, and train your employees to roast which is easy. You could also offer customers roast-to-order or roast-your-own; these are services cafes have not offered at all up to now, and there might be strong initial demand as a novelty and continuing demand from customers who enjoy the freshness or control.

posted in Independent Coffee - 10 replies

Alameda, CA Julie's Coffee & tea Garden grand Opening.

kizzy — Fri, 31 Dec 2004 18:01:10 GMT

I've been helping Julie get ready and now finally we'll be open!

Start the new year off with caffeine and sugar!

Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden at 1223 Park Street, Alameda CA 94501
will host an Open House January 1st & 2nd from 10am to 5pm

Come sample organic and fair trade Taylor Maid coffee, loose leaf teas
and tasty locally made goodies from Feel Good Bakery.

We will feature coffee french pressed to order and Northern Italian style espresso drinks pulled by trained baristi, 30 varieties of loose leaf tea, organic treats and handcrafted goods.

Also:

We're looking for weekend help so if you're an experienced barista
looking for some extra hours feel free to drop off a resume.

See you there!

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

looking for zines

anais — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:52:04 GMT

i'm starting a co op coffee shop in a local independent book store and i'd like to sell zines as well as start a zine library. i'd love to sell your zine. i'm interested in all topics. please send a sample to:
anais schneider
533 quaker st. apt. 4
south haven, mi 49090

thanks!

posted in Independent Coffee - 0 replies

I seem to be blogging the start

3rainL — Wed, 21 Jan 2004 17:32:05 GMT

Of my possible coffee house. So feel free to weigh in or tell me off.

The first place was going to be totally unfeasible. Now I have found out about another, established place, that is for sale. Wish me luck.

posted in Independent Coffee - 3 replies

local indy cafes

Mon, 05 Jan 2004 22:12:38 GMT

I was wondering what places people are hanging out at. i'm in the claremont/pomona area of Los Angeles. I was in the San Diego area. My current hangouts are HomeBrew Coffee in San Dimas (I'm a fan of their comedy on Saturday nights) and Coffee Klatch in Rancho Cucamonga (home of the World Barista Champion 2003).

And while each is fine in their own ways, they aren't nearly as fun as when I was a grad student at UCSD and I used to hangout at Claire de Lune or at The Living Room (SDSU and Pt. Loma were my faves).

posted in Independent Coffee - 2 replies

Advice???

Mon, 15 Mar 2004 21:58:09 GMT

I need some guidance here! My ultimate dream would be to open up my own independent coffee house. Currently I am not in a financial place to start one up. Would you all suggest working for a chain as a manager to learn the in's and out's of the business? (I don't have a specific business background, so a lot of learning in that respect, I feel, would be required before I could ever imagine opening my own). Thoughts, suggestions, advice, words of wisdom, etc.....anything would be of great help. I feel like I am at a crossroad here and would love to hear from some of you folks and how you all went about getting started!

posted in Independent Coffee - 2 replies

Artists and Cafes

seattlicious — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 06:36:49 GMT

So I was just at this salon hosted by The Stranger's Charles Mudede. The topic of discussion was Seattle's love and hate relationship with it's artists. Someone in the audience equated the hate of Dale Chihuly with the hate of Starbucks. Mudede responded that he didn't understand that there was a hate of Starbucks. Yikes!

I don't understand how someone could discuss how to help the Seattle art community yet claim to like Starbucks. I believe that the Seattle Starbucks phenomenon influences the art community much more than Chihuly ever will.

Throughout history artists and revolutionaries have patronized cafes around the world. By ousting all the cafes with actual character and style, Starbucks is murdering (in the 1st degree) this very special and much needed forum for the local artistic community.

posted in Independent Coffee - 2 replies

Employees per square foot.

3rainL — Wed, 03 Dec 2003 19:10:29 GMT

So how do you determine how many employees you'll need for the space? Is it customers? What is it?

posted in Independent Coffee - 11 replies

Chai With Caramel

seattlicious — Sat, 29 Nov 2003 17:56:33 GMT

I've found the tastiest and smoothest chai comes about if you mix up your morning glory chai with half a shot of caramel before you steam it. Much of the clientele of Aurafice is now addicted to chai lattes with caramel.

posted in Independent Coffee - 1 reply