Orange Couch Coffee House in Eureka, Missouri has joined the group of independent coffee shops, cafes and bakeries supported by award-winning coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea. Now open at 98 Legends Parkway, the new coffee house plans grand opening celebrations Wednesday, September 9.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The atmosphere in Eureka, Missouri is more “friendly” these days, thanks to the new Orange Couch Coffee House at 98 Legends Parkway, which opened July 27.
Local resident Maggie Schamber modeled her new coffee shop on Central Perk, a favorite fictional hangout of characters in the sitcom “Friends.” Living up to its name, her shop features an orange couch, similar to the iconic orange couch seen in the show’s original opening credits.
Schamber said she designed her store to have a Central Perk vibe. “I want people to feel that the place is cozy and welcoming,” she said.
Like many entrepreneurs, Schamber had been dreaming of opening a coffee business for years. “I was working for a local credit union in the marketing department, building and maintaining relationships with business partners,” she said.
“I loved the space at 98 Parkway. After the credit union passed, I decided it was the perfect location for my dream coffee house.”
Although she loved coffee, Schamber knew she had a lot to learn. In researching how to open a coffee shop, she came across Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea. The award-winning coffee roaster offers a coffee shop franchise alternative called 7 Steps to Success.
Based on “Seven Steps to Success,” by Founder and President Greg Ubert, the program teaches everything newbies need to run a profitable coffee business.
“After reading the 7 Steps book and touring the Crimson Cup Innovation Lab in Columbus, I felt I had a good chance of succeeding with their guidance,” Schamber said.
From concept to opening, developing the Orange Couch Coffee House took over three years. Crimson Cup was there every step of the way.
“My 7 Steps Trainer, Steve Bayless, is so friendly, accessible and knowledgeable,” Schamber said. “He answers the phone on the weekend.
“Crimson Cup cares, not just about their owners but also their farmers.”
Ubert said the company’s goal is to help its small business customers create unique coffee shops tailored to their dreams and the needs of their local communities.
“When I started Crimson Cup almost thirty years ago, my vision was to create a business that would offer an engaging work life, a fun environment and a culture of giving,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to realize all three.
“A big part of the fun has been helping hundreds of entrepreneurs create their own coffee businesses.”
The 7 Steps outlined in Ubert’s book take prospective business owners through scouting a location through writing a successful coffee shop business plan to finding customers. A 7 Steps trainer works with owners every step of the way.
“We don’t just offer barista and manager training – although our training is among the best,” Ubert said. “What sets Crimson Cup apart is that we stay involved in our customers’ businesses. We don’t succeed unless they succeed.
“We’re proud that, even in the current business climate, our customers are finding ways to succeed,” he added. “Some have even seen year-over-year sales increases!”
Of all the steps, Schamber found Step Five, Focus on Training, the most helpful. “It’s all inclusive. They not only help with award-winning coffee and coffee shop products, but with location, layout and more.
“I loved that I could learn in my space rather than having to go to a barista school out of state,” she added.
In its first few weeks, the shop is already gaining customers – and friends. “Great coffee is like your best friend,” Schamber said. “We hear the drinks are fantastic, the shop looks great, the service is so friendly.”
“People love taking pictures on the couch and with the quotes from the show,” she added. “They sit down and relax, slow down, and look at the art. And they love the “Friends” references!”
Customers choose from a full menu of hot and cold specialty coffee drinks, including handcrafted espressos, lattes, cappuccinos and mochas, plus frozen smoothies, hot chocolate and premium hot and iced teas. Locally baked goodies like chocolate chip cookies and donuts round out the menu.
As she begins her new life as a coffee shop owner, Schamber had this advice for others who are thinking about opening a coffee shop:
“Call Crimson Cup as your first step for sure. Have fun – but do it only if you’re serious about it. It has to be a passion. Be patient as you nurture your dream into reality.
“Come up with something different. If people don’t know you personally, the theme or name will get them in the door. Once they have experienced your shop and tasted your coffee, they will be back!”
The Orange Couch Coffee House plans grand opening celebrations Wednesday, September 9. Stop by between 6 am and 6 pm for $1 espresso-based drinks and fun from your new friends.
About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
Columbus, Ohio coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is a 2020 Good Food Award winner, 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazine’s 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year. Since 1991, Crimson Cup has roasted sustainably sourced craft coffee in small batches. It sells coffee to consumers and distributes wholesale coffee beans.
Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee franchise alternative program, the company teaches entrepreneurs to run successful coffee houses. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into how much it costs to open a coffee shop.
Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 38 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also operates several Crimson Cup Coffee Houses. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
SOURCE Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
