The humble town or village cafe is often a pinnacle part of our culture. It’s where our best conversations happy, where first dates and last breakups happen, where people come together to meet during a business lunch, and ultimately, how people remember their lives within a certain area. Many of us can think back to times we’ve spent in cafes no matter where in the world we were, which is odd because many of the home-like comforts are quite similar. If you’re planning to run a humble cafe, well that’s wonderful! The great thing is you can invest all of your own preferences, tastes and experiences in other cafes to make your own mark, and to stamp our own personality on it. Moreover, you can even use this a space to sell your own creations like cakes you bake etc. 

Reliable equipment is important when you run a cafe. It’s important to have a commercial freezer to make sure any perishables can be cared for, but try to serve fresh as much as you can. A great coffee machine may be your greatest expense, but with a trained barista will make your cafe sing in the best possible way. Display cases and cabinets can help sell your cakes and muffins well, especially during the breakfast and lunch rush. In addition, make sure you have Apple/Google Pay and POS system functionality.

What makes a great cafe is its connection to the local area. We like chain cafes of course, but there’s something special about a locally-run enterprise that both feels pleasant to occupy and is a true slice of the people and place there. Hiring teenagers for their first job in your local cafe is a time-honored tradition and it’s worth appreciating. You may also find that connecting to the local area by displaying artwork from local artists can be a great means of expressing your interest and care for the local culture.

A great connection to local suppliers will also help you provide the best products. That might mean offering space from your local bakery working out a percentage for every item sold. You might bring in dairy products from your local supplier, or import coffee beans from a local importer or even grower of beans defending on where you’re based. Sure, you might import certain fixtures from the general catering supply firm, but going fresh and local can help you cross-promote, and it will give a helpful reason for people to return.

With this advice, you’ll be certain to run a humble cafe in the best possible sense, standing upright thanks to your pride in the local area, and hopefully, its pride in yours. Even getting involved in local events can be a great investment.