Tag Cloud
wbc raw barista smackdown ubf wellington roastery fair trade origin trade aid cupping la san marco espresso italy peoples tshirt design competition fairtrade fortnight kowtow organic clothing guerrilla urban design garrett st probat diy coffee war nz spy bases go by bike day filter coffee farmers markets 2009 uganda gumintindo keep cup keepcup reuse takeaway cup harar ethiopia tomoca travel tadesse meskela roasting growers pranah cafe cup of excellence melbourne australia seven seeds brother baba budan superfino degraves alley local music constable st chemex retail recession economic climate business hospitality wellington icons deluxe cafe slow boat records happy thistle hall parson's books farmers garrett st coffee blog ettique website ordercoffee newtown peoplescoffee
A more human friendly store
After probably the worst of the Wellington winter, our Garrett St store now has a weather proof frontage.
Since we opened Garrett St in April 2008, the beastly roller door has been its only gardian against the elements, and a great canvas for local taggers. Unfortunately, it was hell for our staff who shuffled around in heavy coats in the cold.
Other than the cold, the old roller door which harks from the days when 13 Garrett st was a commercial printer shop (note the crome bumper shandelier hanging on the old gantry and chain) has also trapped many of our good staff behind its steely panels - not so fun 30mins before opening.
And so, while we will miss the old girl, (I sympathize with those who miss the feeling of having your morning long black made in a garage) the new red will hopefully meld into the grungy space that we have come to love next to Glover Park - but please watch your step - the door frame is ridiculously high presently!!
Just so you know we quickly eyeball any blog comments before we make them live.
Post your comment
Comments
-
24 August 2009
Looks lovely!
Annabel
-
23 August 2009
Hi Brenda - thanks for your thoughts.
I'm sure my responses won't be all that satisfying, but its a good conversation to have - and since you are one of the folk standing in that line, I appreciate your comment.
Its a tough one, but one that we keep talking about how to get better at. Wait by the counter in line, or wait by the water area (or outside) for your coffee?
On the one hand, we are constrained by lack of internal space. i.e if we took everyone's order and went straight on to the next - there would be no standing room in the store very quickly - not very relaxing!
If the customer pays, then goes outside to wait - there is the downtime of having barista's to go outside each time an order is ready - too long a delay and pretty difficult to get outside when a line has formed.
However, I do think we could eliminate the probably unnerving scenario of ordering, waiting for coffee and paying all while the line is backed up behind you! Not so fun.
Some times your suggested plan is what does happen - like it did today with a few customers I watched. Perhaps we need a bit more direction? - some 'house rules' that our baristas understand as well as our customers - allowing folk to sit and wait rather than stand centre stage.
Your further comments are very welcomed!
Matt
Matt Lamason
-
23 August 2009
Whenever i've order coffee at the newtown store, the barrista has taken the order, made the coffee, then asked for money all while the customer is standing there. This means a long queue of people forms, standing in a line instead relaxing while waiting for a coffee.
Can you fix that?
Let people sit while waiting for their order, perhaps reading a magazine - instead of leaving them in a queue.
Brenda
RSS feed for comments on this page | RSS feed for all comments
