FROM THE PUBLISHER
Connie Blumhardt
May you live in interesting times
—Chinese proverb
Well, Confucius himself might have enjoyed these times in our chosen
field. Perhaps we should sit quietly and meditate on recent disturbances
in the stream of specialty coffee life.
A major fast food chain, noted by its balanced arches, has entered
the stream in a most violent fashion, thus we hear the ringing gong of
automated espresso machines at thousands of outlets. Not exactly the
sound of one hand clapping in the wilderness.
Steadying the other side of the precarious balance is the small
chain and independent coffee shop and roaster. Consider a recent New
York Times article celebrating the success of Kansas City-based Broadway
Café, whose life-affirming coffee chi may have contributed to
the demise of a neighboring Starbucks. The article outlined the—gasp!—closing
of a Starbucks store, while the independently owned Broadway Café next
door continues to thrive. Much respect must be given to one of the owners
of Broadway Café, John Cates, who was quoted as saying “You
win because of the coffee.” Like Zen from the mountain, there is
much to be learned from such a simple statement.
Squeezed in between the yang of the sound of a billion shots
being served and the yin of the success of independent coffee roasters
and retailers is the esteemed Green Mermaid. In an attempt to address
both forces, Starbucks has given unto the masses a one-dollar coffee
(only in select markets), while at the same time it looks to focus its
breathing inward to increase its self awareness of customer experience
and quality coffee.
You, the specialty coffee roaster and retailer, must also consider
the reaction to these actions. The stream is always changing. What do
McDonald’s actions mean to you? Will coffee supplies, especially
organic, be tight? Will McDonald’s introduce a better coffee to
a new realm of consumers who have never tried anything beyond canned
supermarket coffee? Will Starbuck’s find their inner self and more
strongly compete with a renewed focus on the customer?
Such things must be considered; however, the truths of success
are never changing; offer the best coffee, the best customer experience
and don’t forget to enjoy the journey.
Warmest Regards,
Connie
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