Coffee Shop Design-Does It Matter?

Coffee shop design - does it matter?
I spent the day at Caboolture Historical Village on a school excursion.  CHV is located north of Brisbane and is a step back in time to Aussie pioneering days with museum, displays and shows.
After a 45 minute noisy bus trip, the parents and teachers were desperate for a caffeine recharge.
At the entrance to the CHV visitors centre there's a slick, new coffee shop offering all the coffee choices and a daily menu.

'Billy Tea Room' at Caboolture Historical Village

The coffee was great and gave us the energy burst to keep up with the kids during the next 2 hours of exploring the pioneering village.
As we meandered around the beautiful grounds and buildings of yesteryear we stumbled across a 'Billy Tea House' with old fashioned tea, coffee and home made biscuits.

Mis-matched chairs and lace tablecloths

As we tripped up the verandah steps we could smell the home cooking and hear the clinking of the mis-matched tea cups being washed by the 'mature' and smiling volunteers. On a cool winter's day the inner warmth of the small cottage embraced us like a warm hug.  The tables and chairs were from various ages of 1950s to 70s and painted a matching green.  Each table lovingly covered with a homely table cloth. 

Was this ambience by design or just pot luck?

A steaming cuppa and 3 home made biscuits (choc chip, anzac and jam drop) cost a frugle $3.00.  Less than a coffee at the new coffee shop out the front.

Doting service and hand washing dishes

Both establishments were immaculately clean and had lovely attendants doting on their customers.  Yet somehow the old fashioned tea house in a wooden cottage just 'felt right'.
Now don't get me wrong; compliance with health and building codes must come before any concept or theme.  The tea house is a volunteer run, non-profit establishment and runs with a different motive to the coffee shop. 




Ultimately the design of your coffee shop:
= Must be based on your unique concept and menu
= Emphasize employee efficiency and logical customer flow
= Display your key products to increase sales
= Must meet your construction budget
= Must include a kitchen that can function at peak performance during your busy times.

 Ambience by design or pot luck?

= Include construction standard details and accuracy to ensure your project comes together smoothly.

Visit www.foodstrategy.com.au for more information.