Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jon Mitchell on March 9, 2009 at 8:49am

Brady said:

Oops... meant to cite this better and don't see the "delete post" link anymore.

Jon said:
Brady, are you saying that people with limited knowledge of coffee shouldn't open shops?

I said:
Yes.

Though I wouldn't agree that several years experience are necessary, there is a certain level of experience and knowledge that increases a persons chances of success dramatically.

Do you disagree?

No, I wouldn't disagree. I guess it just depends on your approach and goals as a business owner. Good thoughts, thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on March 9, 2009 at 9:44am

Yes, I understand the espresso machine is one of the most important aspects to starting a quality cafe. So for those on budgets who can't afford a new Synesso or L/M, which brand do some suggest as good quality and or/more affordable. I assume a 2 groups is best to start...but maybe I'm wrong. Better to go 1 group/high quality?

Curtis said:

You have to remember, in this business your espresso machine IS your business. If you get everything else used as ccheap as you can and whatever it doesnt matter. but if your espresso machine breaks down on you 3 months later you're hooped. It should be the showboat of your business. Course thats me... some cafes focus on other things. but im all about the coffee.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Mitchell on March 9, 2009 at 11:38am

Mark, have you checked out the Nuova Simonelli machines? The Aurelia is one of my favorites.

Mark said:

Yes, I understand the espresso machine is one of the most important aspects to starting a quality cafe. So for those on budgets who can't afford a new Synesso or L/M, which brand do some suggest as good quality and or/more affordable. I assume a 2 groups is best to start...but maybe I'm wrong. Better to go 1 group/high quality?

Curtis said:

You have to remember, in this business your espresso machine IS your business. If you get everything else used as ccheap as you can and whatever it doesnt matter. but if your espresso machine breaks down on you 3 months later you're hooped. It should be the showboat of your business. Course thats me... some cafes focus on other things. but im all about the coffee.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on March 9, 2009 at 12:33pm

Their website lists the Aurelia starting at $9,250.00. Is that the low $ end of top machines?


Jon Mitchell said:

Mark, have you checked out the Nuova Simonelli machines? The Aurelia is one of my favorites.

Mark said:

Yes, I understand the espresso machine is one of the most important aspects to starting a quality cafe. So for those on budgets who can't afford a new Synesso or L/M, which brand do some suggest as good quality and or/more affordable. I assume a 2 groups is best to start...but maybe I'm wrong. Better to go 1 group/high quality?

Curtis said:

You have to remember, in this business your espresso machine IS your business. If you get everything else used as ccheap as you can and whatever it doesnt matter. but if your espresso machine breaks down on you 3 months later you're hooped. It should be the showboat of your business. Course thats me... some cafes focus on other things. but im all about the coffee.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Mitchell on March 9, 2009 at 12:38pm

If you'll talk to your roaster, alot of them can get pretty good deals on equipment for you. Also, EVERYTHING is negotiable, especially in this economy. Remember and live that.

Mark said:

Their website lists the Aurelia starting at $9,250.00. Is that the low $ end of top machines?


Jon Mitchell said:

Mark, have you checked out the Nuova Simonelli machines? The Aurelia is one of my favorites.

Mark said:

Yes, I understand the espresso machine is one of the most important aspects to starting a quality cafe. So for those on budgets who can't afford a new Synesso or L/M, which brand do some suggest as good quality and or/more affordable. I assume a 2 groups is best to start...but maybe I'm wrong. Better to go 1 group/high quality?

Curtis said:

You have to remember, in this business your espresso machine IS your business. If you get everything else used as ccheap as you can and whatever it doesnt matter. but if your espresso machine breaks down on you 3 months later you're hooped. It should be the showboat of your business. Course thats me... some cafes focus on other things. but im all about the coffee.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on March 9, 2009 at 1:42pm

Your roaster should be able to give you a smoking deal. Seriously you should feel like they are really taking care of you. On both brewing equipment and espresso machines. One of my manufacturers has even started a leasing program. There are deals to be had.


Jon Mitchell said:

If you'll talk to your roaster, alot of them can get pretty good deals on equipment for you. Also, EVERYTHING is negotiable, especially in this economy. Remember and live that.

Mark said:

Their website lists the Aurelia starting at $9,250.00. Is that the low $ end of top machines?


Jon Mitchell said:

Mark, have you checked out the Nuova Simonelli machines? The Aurelia is one of my favorites.

Mark said:

Yes, I understand the espresso machine is one of the most important aspects to starting a quality cafe. So for those on budgets who can't afford a new Synesso or L/M, which brand do some suggest as good quality and or/more affordable. I assume a 2 groups is best to start...but maybe I'm wrong. Better to go 1 group/high quality?

Curtis said:

You have to remember, in this business your espresso machine IS your business. If you get everything else used as ccheap as you can and whatever it doesnt matter. but if your espresso machine breaks down on you 3 months later you're hooped. It should be the showboat of your business. Course thats me... some cafes focus on other things. but im all about the coffee.

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Permalink Reply by Brandy Smyth on March 9, 2009 at 3:21pm

Hi, I have been in the industry for almost eleven years. My passion is helping people start up new locations. I currently work for two companies one of which is a coffee training school and the other provides espresso machines, parts, accessories and start up packages. Please feel free to contact me and use me as a resource. Congradulations how exciting, i would love to hear about your ideas. Brandy brandy@crossroads-espresso.com

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Permalink Reply by Brady on March 9, 2009 at 4:20pm

Mark said:

Yes, I understand the espresso machine is one of the most important aspects to starting a quality cafe. So for those on budgets who can't afford a new Synesso or L/M, which brand do some suggest as good quality and or/more affordable. I assume a 2 groups is best to start...but maybe I'm wrong. Better to go 1 group/high quality?

Curtis said:

You have to remember, in this business your espresso machine IS your business. If you get everything else used as ccheap as you can and whatever it doesnt matter. but if your espresso machine breaks down on you 3 months later you're hooped. It should be the showboat of your business. Course thats me... some cafes focus on other things. but im all about the coffee.

For a moderately busy cafe, I'd rather see a 3 group. Single group, I feel, is out of the question. Maybe as a backup machine.

My thought is that your coffee and training are the heart of your business, not your espresso machine.

Don't sacrifice on reliability, but there are quite a few machines aside from LM that will pull really good shots. Cimbali, Rancillio, Astoria, etc. Clearly the very best shots are pulled from the machines you mentioned, but I'd put espresso from our 8 year old workhorse Astoria up against anyone's in our area. Our shots are good because we pay attention to the details. Would they be a little better through a LM? Undoubtedly. But I've had plenty of crappy shots from a LM too, if you understand what I'm getting at.

My 2 cents.

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Permalink Reply by Curtis on March 9, 2009 at 4:26pm

agreed.

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Permalink Reply by roberto bresciani on March 9, 2009 at 9:30pm

Hey there. A great place to start is take a trip over to B&W and meet Alex.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Jensen on March 11, 2009 at 4:04pm

On average, it takes about four months to open from lease signing. This will allow a two month time period for completing your plans and obtaining the building permit. Once permitted, it usually takes another two months for the contractor to build-out your space.

Do you have any prospective locations in mind? Have you spoke with your local building and health departments? These are just a few questions to keep in mind while you’re also researching restroom requirements, parking regulations and ADA requirements.

It seems there is more to this than just good tasting coffee, but hopefully that is the end result :)

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Permalink Reply by CoffeeBuzzMN on March 11, 2009 at 6:03pm

Thanks Andrew. I do have a site in place which includes the lease! We also have a fabulous floor plan from our architect and are just waiting on a few last minutes things to fall into place before we start construction! YAY!

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