New Market Stall

Nancyc

I am looking at starting a market stall selling coffee.
My thinking is a marquee with simple counter and maybe a second hand Wega and a Mazzo grinder.

I live just north of Brisbane and I feel there are a few good possibilites around here,
Any suggestions?
Nancy

Koffee_Kosmo

Firstly I want to know if you have any experience in both coffee and retail in a similar environment Do you have a business plan What standard of coffee offering are you willing to extend to Is light food part of your business plan You will need a food license and also registered with the council ( even for a marquee ) KK

Nancyc

I have been to the council. No licence required for coffee and sealed food. My knowledge is limited to a friend who has a food van and who I have helped a number of times. I am looking to do a Baristas course and intend using a quality coffee from a local roaster. Thanks Nancy

Koffee_Kosmo

Nancyc wrote:

I have been to the council. No licence required for coffee and sealed food. My knowledge is limited to a friend who has a food van and who I have helped a number of times. I am looking to do a Baristas course and intend using a quality coffee from a local roaster. Thanks Nancy

Unfortunately we don't rate a barista course over experience To make good to excellent coffee you need hands on knowledge A few clues Coffee to a good operator is a living thing, coffee should be treated as a fresh food and it goes off in less than 8 weeks after roasting You offer a bad product and the customers wont return KK

Nancyc

Many years ago i lived in Goroka in PNG and since than I have I have an awareness of good coffee and how it should be handled. Part of my business plan is to have the very best coffee available in a market environment. I also have a couple of friends who own cafes but I dont really want to mention it to them until I am a bit further down the track. Nancy

Koffee_Kosmo

Nancyc wrote:

Many years ago i lived in Goroka in PNG and since than I have I have an awareness of good coffee and how it should be handled. Part of my business plan is to have the very best coffee available in a market environment. I also have a couple of friends who own cafes but I dont really want to mention it to them until I am a bit further down the track. Nancy

Will you be the only operator in the markets How many days will you trade Do you know the numbers of people that go through the turnstiles even on rainy days Part of the business plan should include Expenses that creep up on you - like equipment needing repair and operator maintenance costs ect As a note of reference A member just returned from a trip in South Americas many coffee growing regions There comments were they know how to grow coffee but they are still learning about the rest KK

Nancyc

I have gone ahead and started the business. As planned I bought a second Wega 2 group and a Mazzer grinder. I had them both overhauled to bring them up to specs. The marquee and everything else is pretty standard. (The Wega is very heavy). I found it hard finding sites but I now have 2 sites for 4 days a week in the mornings. Business is slow but just better then break even. In some ways it is good being a little slow as there is quite a learning curve to good coffee. I finished up learning from my roaster who continues to mentor me. In regards to my promotion I do have a point of difference which I dont want to reveal here but it is helping find me new customers. I am pleased that I am starting to get repeat business. My main advice to newbies is to know where you will be selling your coffee as there arent many openings for newcomers

Koffee_Kosmo

Very good Nancy :thumb: Best of luck & successes in the new venture Keep us in the loop with a few photos KK

Brett_H

Koffee Kosmo wrote:

Very good Nancy :thumb: Best of luck & successes in the new venture Keep us in the loop with a few photos KK

Hear hear. Brava!

GaryatGala

Congratulations Nancy for taking the plunge! With time, you will get better. Yes it is ideal that you are starting out not too busy. You are endeavoring to provide better than average coffee to the public and the best advertising you will get is them tasting your coffee and saying to others what great coffee you have and it won't be long before you get repeat and new business. Just remember: Smile Engage your customers. Ask them how is their shopping experience. Deliver a first rate product, and make sure it's consistent. Offer a range of products, if they are not sure, suggest a few options to make it easy for them and thus the experience pleasant. Keep it all clean and create an inviting atmosphere. Remember your customers and if you can, remember what they had last time and tell them. They will be impressed. All the best in your venture, and as Brett mentioned, looking forward to pics :thumb:

Brett_H

GaryatGala wrote:

Congratulations Nancy for taking the plunge! With time, you will get better. Yes it is ideal that you are starting out not too busy. You are endeavoring to provide better than average coffee to the public and the best advertising you will get is them tasting your coffee and saying to others what great coffee you have and it won't be long before you get repeat and new business. Just remember: Smile Engage your customers. Ask them how is their shopping experience. Deliver a first rate product, and make sure it's consistent. Offer a range of products, if they are not sure, suggest a few options to make it easy for them and thus the experience pleasant. Keep it all clean and create an inviting atmosphere. Remember your customers and if you can, remember what they had last time and tell them. They will be impressed. All the best in your venture, and as Brett mentioned, looking forward to pics :thumb:

There's some advice that Ill be sharing win youngsters in my charge. Excellent points that apply to any work situation... Well most!