I start my day with a speaking engagement in East Lansing...then I will be off to Lima, OH...then I'll be stopping by Midtown, Detroit (both store openings)...and finally back to East Lansing.
A few of you want to know when I will be where?
The best way to keep track (in real time) is to follow me on Twitter or Facebook.
As I move through time and space...I make regular updates (not while I'm driving) on my progress. I hope to see you tomorrow. :)
Monday, February 9, 2009
a busy day tomorrow...I wouldn't have it any other way :)
Coffee shops help stimulate Detroit economy!
I'll be stopping by tommorrow...on my way back from Lima, OH :)
by Jaclyn Trop - The Detroit News
DETROIT -- It seems when one Detroit coffee shop closes, another opens.
The exodus of three Starbucks stores from downtown Detroit last fall has not left caffeine fiends yawning for long. Newly opened independent and franchise operations are empowering Detroiters with more choices than ever before and helping stimulate the local economy.
"Things are moving in the right direction," said Olga Savic Stella, vice president of business development for the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., a private nonprofit that helps create new investment and job opportunities in the city.
Biggby Coffee in Midtown and the independently owned Mercury Coffee Bar in Corktown are also new additions to the scene.
The new shops are a "positive sign" that entrepreneurs are heeding Detroiters' "pent up demand for retail and restaurants," Stella said, noting that coffee shops brighten any community as places to congregate and share ideas.
By staying open later and on weekends, many of the shops are showing that the city has a viable market beyond the office crowd, Stella said. Greater Detroit, which includes downtown, Midtown, Corktown, the riverfront and Eastern Market, has more than 86,000 residents, according to a recent DEGC report.
But it's doubtful that coffee shops alone can revitalize downtown Detroit, said Robin Boyle, a Wayne State University professor of urban planning.
"The notion that a coffee shop can be a catalyst for economic development is far-fetched," Boyle said.
'A lot of opportunity'
Nonetheless, for downtowners who loathe lines or live more than a short walk from their favorite fix, more coffee is on the way.
Jose Cayo, co-owner of a Biggby Coffee set to open at the Studio One Apartments complex on Woodward in Midtown on Tuesday, leased the space a year ago, before the economy collapsed and the credit crunch froze financing.
"Right after that came the big bang, but what can you do? You just have to work it," Cayo said.
Cayo hired 25 Wayne State students and said that the university community is excited about a new coffeehouse and the store's free Wi-Fi.
Challenges: space, money
The main challenges franchises and independent shops face in choosing where to locate are finding the right space and amassing enough start-up capital, Stella said. Once open, it's important to establish an optimal schedule and offer products appropriate to the market, she said.
Despite the onslaught of new options, differentiation will keep Detroit's shops from putting each other out of business, said Walter Bender, co-owner of the Tim Hortons store that opened in December in Starbucks' former Millender Center space.
Friday, February 6, 2009
ROI-- Return On InvolvementA note from Jeff in Jackson:)
Every once in a while a story crosses my path that just sounds right...I have had two, in two days... Can I just say - I Love my job :)
I love how every time I enter this Biggby....well, any Biggby.. I get a warm welcomed by employees who feel like they want to serve me. I used to be committed to Starbucks and that was the only place I would go, it wasn't until a Biggby employee suggested that I tried there drinks. So for the first time last summer I walked into your store (first Biggby I ever been to) I was welcomed by happy employees.
They took my order and engaged in conversation with me, which shocked me on my first visit. I asked, "Why are they talking to me?" Because those at Starbucks and other places don't really care to speak with you. You just order, get you drink and that's it.
So now I'm addicted to Biggby by its welcoming environment and it's taste.
Some of the employees are starting to know me by name and what drink I get which I like.
Keep up the good work!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Support your Local Artist....
....But what's local? --You Decide:)
Chatting with Hubert Sawyers about tastemaking. from Henry Balanon on Vimeo.
The Best People in the World!
Our Mission:
Create one new BIGGBY COFFEE fanatic per day, per store who will actively promote us to others.
(This story submitted by Ryan Mallory, Store 170, St. Johns MI)
We have a customer that started to come into the store around Dec. of last year. What set him apart from every other customer that came through the door was that Les, his name, can't hear and couldn't talk either. I was on the POP that first time he came in and he wrote down a description of what he was looking for and we had it made. I wrote the name of the drink on the back of a frequency card and told him all he would have to do next time is show them the card and the cashier would know what he wanted.
Les has been coming into my store for over 3 months now and all my staff know his drink and look forward to seeing his smiling face during the day. Through a rough use of signing we would all do our best to communicate with him. Today Les was in first thing this morning. As he was waiting at the end of the counter I noticed that he had a cell phone in his hand. Through a set of hand written notes I found out that he had bought it. How you may ask does a man who can't hear use a phone? TEXT MESSAGING!!! I ask him for his phone number and he welcomingly gave it to me. For the first time today I was able to communicate with a regular customer. This was a rewarding thing for me to be able to do. We texted back and forth between customers for an hour.
What did I learn?
1. THINK OUT SIDE THE BOX.
2. BE WILLING TO BREAK THE RULES IN THE NAME OF "E".
3. DON"T BE AFRAID TO WALK OUT INTO A CUSTOMERS LIFE IN A PERSONAL WAY.
4. USE WHAT EVER MEANS YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT TO A CUSTOMER.
I hope that you find as much joy in this email as I did writing it.
Rock-on, Ryan, Rock-on!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
2fer one
Yep...we have two store opening on the same day...not the all time record, but not bad considering all that is going on out there, ya'know? :)
My first stop will be Lima OH...
Lima OH click here for article
Lima News Photo by AARON PIPER BIGGBY COFFEE opening soon on Cable Road next to Westgate Lanes
My second stop will be in up in Midtown, BIGGBY COFFEE's first Detroit streetside location is opening in the ground floor of the StudioOne Apartments. Right on Woodward near Wayne State U.
Can't wait to see you there:)
What is SPOT BOB?
SPOT BOB is nothin' but fun. I like getting out to our stores and mixing with employees, customers, operators, and friends alike! I have found that the truth in retailing is in the stores....not in an office!
We can take surveys and do focus groups all day long but nothing substitutes for being right there and hearing from the people coming everyday! I usually show up on a Thursday and hang out for a coupla hours in the morning...I have met thousands of customers this way...and have gotten so many great ideas!
I get to buy everybody a drink while I am there and it always feels good to be able to do that for people who support BIGGBY COFFEE and the BIGGBY way, everyday! :)
I love people and making friends... so I hope to see you there, at my next SPOT BOB!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Smart Poem
by Kevin Smart -- Perculator from the Waterford Store (hey Kari:) ), this was excerted from the BIGGBY Babble Book.
Ode to the Coffee Bean
Oh Coffee Bean, Oh Coffee Bean
So rich
and full of flavor
As you dance on my tongue
your boldness
I do savor
With milk, sugar, sometimes even Splenda
I enjoy a hot cup
with my girlfriend Glenda
I drink you without looking back
I enjoy you light, dark, even black
Oh Coffee Bean, dearest Coffee Bean
You are but a dream
Everyday I long to drink
Alas, if your temp is below 165
I weep as I pour you
down the sink.
I love people :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
