Coffee By Thirty

I attended the city’s planning commission meeting last night; not because I have anything on the meeting agenda, but just so I can begin to appreciate the political process in getting my shop opened.

Overall, I found the event curiously fascinating, not unlike getting sucked into nature shows on the Discovery Channel. The first guy, a big land developer with a big project in the works, walked away a happy boy. The second guy walked away a very unhappy boy, with his assistant, sorely lacking in presentation skills, straggling behind. The last guy got what he wanted too, but not without some details to iron out.

Everyone seemed to know everyone else, like all the developers in the city gather at the next planning commission meeting instead of the pub down the street. One can sense the political wrangling that goes on in the chambers.

For the developers, it’s a social club. For the clients and businessmen, it’s an ordeal. Lots of people see a chance for fortunes there. Lots of people watch their visions of fortunes crumble there, too.

To keep my visions from crumbling, I need to become a better presenter and speaker. The people who could speak clearly and articulately proved to be the winners in that meeting. It’s definately a goal to work on; maybe I’ll join the Toastmasters.

Once the meeting ended, I caught up with the planning director and had a very interesting chat. I learned about the latest developments, got an opinion on a location I’d been eyeing, and learned that if I move into an existing building (which I plan on doing), I don’t even need to go before the planning commission.

Based on the grilling some people got, I’d say not having to attend the planning commission meeting is a very good thing.

I’ve been collecting traffic counts for my primary geographic area of interest. It’s amazing the difference a street corner makes. On the street I’m looking at for the shop, the traffic north of the major intersection boasts 57,000 cars a day. South of that intersection only sees 24,000 cars per day. That’s over 50% difference between one side of the road and the other. Amazing.

To me, anyway.

I’ve made a late-September appointment with a potential accountant for the shop. He seems quite personable over the phone, not at all the stodgy number-cruncher I’d imagined.

He comes highly recommended by a fellow coffeeshop owner, and he’s particularly versed in small business startups. I’m feeling pretty good about him; if nothing else, I’ll learn a lot at this meeting.

Now I need to work on the next revision to my business plan to have something to show for my appointment.

Do you even know the difference betwixt a latte and a cappuccino? The clerk monkey had to explain every detail of coffee to you. No matter how much money you dump on a superautomatic espresso machine, you’ll never have your own little coffee shop on your kitchen counter if you don’t know a thing about coffee.

Letting the machine grind your beans for you is not a good way to start.

I’m back from spending the better part of last week in Boston at a fabulous Photoshop conference. While my days were spent discussing channel masks, smart objects and techniques for creating beautiful greyscales, my mornings started and evenings ended at the fabulous Espresso Royale on Newberry Street.

Excellent coffee, knowledgeable staff and a fantabulous location reminded me of why I want to open my own coffee shop.

Oh, Espresso Royale, even though you turned out to be a multi-state chain, your killer shots and wonderous indie-shop interior still rank highest to me in a town riddled with the mediocrity of Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. Well done.