[~**SYMONE**~]

HI all,

As my title says I think I have found an ideal place for a coffee shop. It is next to a school of approximately 3000 kids. There is a doctors surgery across the carpark, a hairdressers next door and a day care centre in the same complex. I definitely think there is more than enough potential for a good client base. There is no competition close by either.

The space available used to be a food outlet so the relevant plumbing etc is there. Now I am thinking about how much money I would need to make the space open for business. I know that no one here will be able to give me a precise amount. I have sourced a coffee machine, grinder and all relevant utensils (including crockery etc). But now I need to think about other things. What exactly will I need?

Any help you could all give me would be greatly appreciated.

Also from my description do you think this would be a good spot? I can elaborate more if necessary.

Thanks

Symone

[beebs09]

Sounds like a great spot and opportunity. I don't know anything about starting up a coffee shop but I want to wish you good luck. My guess is add on an extra 20% to what you think you need.

[~**SYMONE**~]

Thanks beebs. This is all in the fleeting thought phase at the moment. I am trying to get a clearer grasp of things needed so as to see if it is actually viable.

I know I will need some kind of counter, refridgeration, tables and chairs....etc

Where do I source these things from for a good price? What is OK to get secondhand, what isn't? The questions are coming faster than I can answer them at the moment...LOL

[Gangnam Style]

I think coffee suppliers will give you a machine if you use their product.

[~**SYMONE**~]

I think...for this coffee shop to do well. It will have to be all about the coffee, as the shop isn't the prettiest thing out there. So I am unsure if being to a supplier is the best idea. Though it is definitely something for consideration, thanks AB

[missymuffet]

No business advice but please please please make sure you know how to make delicious coffee - so many coffee shops are so good at making bad coffee. Perfect coffee = happy and frequent customers

[~**SYMONE**~]

Oh definitely missymuffet. I am a bit of a coffeesnob. And there are many, many places I won't even think of having a coffee. That's what I mean about it being all about the coffee. If it isn't amazing there is no point really...

[gumby]

Which state are you in OP?

Depending on your level of experience in business, how well you do at making coffee etc and how you were going to run it (i.e industrial area type take-away and coffee or a dedicated coffee shop similar to GJ's for example) it would definitely be do-able.

What is the rental rate on the premises? You would need at least 4 months up your sleeve + 15% (GST and outgoings) before you even think about equipment. Plenty of places you can pick up second hand stuff, or even rent (I would rent the grinder and machine TBH initially, its a lot of money to outlay for really good ones off the bat and if heaven forbid things don't work out, you haven't got equipment to offload and lose money on potentially).

[MinkyMonkey]

Have you done your business plan yet? I dont have any advice or experience specific to coffee shops but it is essential when trying to get your head around viability to have a BP. Link

From a customer perspective location sounds great but I would seriously consider making the place "pretty" which can be done fairly inexpensively with a lick of paint etc as ambience is essential to me in a coffee shop.

Good luck!

[eyesabove]

Theme your decor. Stick to a colour/theme idea and don't go wandering off!

There is some coffee places around where I live that have great coffee. One just does coffee - seriously - there is four drinks and two prepackaged foods on their board. Nothing else.

They make it fast, hot and exactly the way they like. There are 8 chairs in the tiny shop. Thats it. Its not a hang around place.

People queue up for it. OUT THE DOOR. EVERY DAY. They are open early for commuter traffic and close after lunch.

They are making an absolute fortune.

Another place has lots of space, booth tables and large menu. Always pretty busy and the staff love a chat.

A third place does take away food and coffee to go. Quick, grungy, but the food is hot and so is the coffee.

The forth (and by no means final) place has an Organic/fair trade theme. Pre-packaged oat and babana bread type foods fair trade coffee and tea in 10+ varieties with herbals etc. Pushing the health food angle.

Every single one is successful - people shop the coffee based on the mood they are in!

You can really successfully trade on people's emotions. Do people want a place to graba quick one for takeway at the ahirdresser. or a place to linger after dropping off the kids from school? If the mums like working out and everyone rides their bike, don't serve mud cake.

Don't forget to add $$ for council licenses, business trading names and rental fees...

If its the dream do it