I get sent photos of our lines from friends and family on the regular. I’m usually inside, so I never get to see it from the outside. I used to do corporate coffee. So having lines can make me panic. Corporate coffee teaches:
“From the time they order, to the time they pay and leave, you have 1 minute and 30 seconds. If you don’t meet this goal, you will ultimately lose the bonus that makes up your living wage because we believe that they will not wait and we will lose business.”
When we purchased Coffee Cabin nearly a year ago (get ready to party, cause we’re going to party!) I was a mess. Because I didn’t want to fail. So we crammed you through like a corporation. But then you started to bring veggies, and you asked how our day was, and you came back every day. And you waited. And we are friends, and a coffee family. And it’s been an insane professional and personal growth for me to realize:
- People prefer connection. Not always speed.
- People want to be family, not customers.
- People will wait, stop panicking.
- I own the place, I don’t get a bonus anyway. 🤣
But we also realize your time is precious and sometimes everyone has to go to work or meetings or appointments, and that’s not lost on me.
With the help of the girls on staff, I have been able to bring what I learned from larger corporations like online ordering, loyalty programs, speed, safety and sanitation, sugar free and healthier options, and entirely new products (Lotus!). The girls have been able to introduce the legacy and culture of connecting, slowing down, and loving the community better. I believe that this is what makes us a humble and spirited little coffee shop. So I want to thank you, for showing up and waiting. I assure you, we go as fast as we possibly can in there. We make coffee and play twister at the same time. It’s epic (and slightly dangerous, but we like to live on the edge!) That to say, no one goes online and rants or gives us bad reviews for waiting. In fact, it’s the opposite, you’re all cheering us on and telling us we’re doing great! And, I want to promise you, we’re on it. Some have asked if we plan to open another stand, and I’ll leave you with this:
We are actively trying to expand the current location. However, we will remain small, local, and drive through only, we’re just going to stretch the size to get a few more blenders and machines in there, because your time is precious and we want you to have time to stop. We also want to fit three people at a time to do a better job making your online orders. We’re meeting our small goals and working to the big ones. Stay tuned!
Another stand? I am a dreamer. I won’t say no. If the stars align and staffing becomes abundant, we’ve got one more stand worth of energy left in us. However, we decided it won’t be in Marshfield. That means we’re talking to you, Spencer, Auburndale, Pittsville. (We’re not going to Stratford – please support Ground Up when you’re there!) So if you see us driving around your towns taking pictures of parking lots, I am, I’m dreaming and scheming and we’re waiting to do great things!
But we are 100 percent in love with, proud of, and putting energy in, this original, humble, and spirited little coffee shop.
Thank you, Marshfield, for showing up! ❤❤❤
-KT
