Rant: Heard a regular at my place in Echo Park say they only come for the 'vibe', not the coffee

I was wiping down tables yesterday and overheard a table of four talking. One person said, 'I don't even like the espresso here, I just come because it feels like a real neighborhood spot.' That hit me hard. I spent $15k on a new machine last year, but maybe the atmosphere matters more. It made me think about what we're really selling. Has anyone else had a moment that made you question your main focus?

3 comments

3 Comments

jennys721mo ago

My cafe's vibe is so good it covers for my terrible latte art. People come for the community, not the perfect crema. Guess my big investment was in the wrong kind of machine.

jade_singh1mo ago

Totally get that. Spent a fortune on a grinder but the regulars just want a friendly chat.

piperb9325d ago

Feel you on that one. Spent months saving up for a fancy espresso machine and all people really want is a place to sit and vent about their day. My regulars don't care if the foam is perfect, they just want me to remember their name and their usual order. It's funny how we think the gear is what makes the place when really it's just being there for people. You ever think about selling the grinder and putting that cash into comfy chairs instead?