Marketing Lessons From Your Local Coffee Shop

Summer Moon Coffee is an incredible locally owned coffee shop that uses a wood-fired coffee roasting process that results in a smooth, balanced coffee. Summer Moon Coffee was born in the Texas Hill Country and every batch of the coffee is roasted in Summer Moon's handmade brick roasters over seasoned Texas oak. Summer Moon Coffee's logo with the fire pit pays homage to the wood-fired coffee roasting process, which is cool. Summer Moon is also known for its delicious Moon Milk, which is its signature sweet cream that helps set its lattes apart. Summer Moon Coffee has expanded greatly over the years but each one of its coffee shops have the same homey feel, making it an even better place to grab a cup of coffee.

I started a global branding and digital marketing firm 19 years ago in Cambridge, MA. As a small business we are always pivoting to respond to market changes but I am very concerned about the spread of this virus and the short and long term impact it will have on the economy. Before Covid I went to several coffee shops but now my preferred spot is Forge they reopened quickly and are not just for coffee & treats now they sell produce too so I am spending a lot more there than before. I love how scrappy and resourceful they have been and want to show my support. They have done an amazing job being resilient and flexible with all the uncertainty.

Rooster Joe opened its doors in late 2019, just a few steps from where I work at Totally Promotional in West Central Ohio. We live in a small farming community and the owners, Joe and Michelle McClurg, are no strangers to agriculture. The name of their business is very appropriate for their roots and the wonderful coffee they sell! The McClurgs always dreamed about opening a shop where they could serve high-quality coffee and espresso. They also wanted to sell healthy foods; Michelle is a dietitian/foodie and her parents operate an organic dairy farm a few miles from the coffee shop where she grew up. The couple accomplished their goals by doing a lot of research and seeking out the quality ingredients they needed.

Rooster Joe’s team worked with Copperheart Creative of Nashville to create a full on-brand customer experience. Rooster Joe is decorated in warm, rustic tones with soft lighting and inviting furniture. It has nooks where you can sit comfortably while sipping espressos or iced tea and chat with friends. It is also the perfect venue for brainstorming new ideas or kicking out a report on your laptop in between meetings. Their menu includes freshly made breakfast pastries and sandwiches, as well as lunch-ready salads and desserts made from a favourite local baker. All of their food items are homemade and unforgettably delicious! Despite the COVID-19 outbreak just a few short months after they opened, they have managed to thrive due to their tasty offerings, friendly staff and excellent service. The staff at Totally Promotional, who helped provide Rooster Joe with many customized items including coffee mugs, patronizes Rooster Joe frequently.

My favorite coffee shop in Austin is Houndstooth Coffee. They have a wide selection of local coffees and teas as well as beer served a little later in the day. They do some bean roasting in house, getting the beans from ethical sources. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, as well. A lot of the coffee shops in Austin are too up-tempo for me, for lack of a better word. Before the pandemic, I would sometimes camp out in a corner here and work during the day.

I'm a big fan of The Boy & the Bear. They roast everything on site using sustainably sourced Colombian beans, and you can definitely tell the difference. I've tried a number of items and the iced latte is one of my favorites. A great drink to get in California, no matter the season. I especially like it made with almond milk. It's a pricey place, but a lot better than any of the chain coffee shops.

I adore Noble coffee in the little southern Oregon town of Ashland. Everything is top quality - from the welcoming, precise and efficient service of the baristas to the sourcing of the beans. Brewed perfectly, each cup feels like an indulgence and there is no extra charge for oat, nut or other milks.

Salvation is veteran owned and operated and I love that they offer a wide variety of coffees and creamers. So many coffee shops offer only oat or soy if you prefer non-dairy but Salvation also offers up alt milks like Milkadamia. The owner’s grandfather works at the shop every once in a while and has even learned how to be a barista at the tender age of 93!

Since much of my work is doable from home, especially since the COVID 19 pandemic, I have been relying even more on the great environment at Hello Coffee in Lakewood, Colorado. Hello is known for their creative specialty lattes, my favorite of which is the PB&J. They have new ones constantly, as well as a constant stream of happy customers of all ages including children. You can always find something new and exciting on the menu.

This coffee shop also does an amazing job of supporting youth in the community. The walls are decorated with art and photography created by local youth and it is listed for sale, providing exposure and incentive for the students who have worked hard. Hello Coffee purposefully hires young students so that they can learn what it is like to have their first real job under the constant but casual supervision of the shop's owner, Michelle.

Easy Luck is a neighborhood coffee bar featuring locally-roasted Ligature beans alongside other roasters from across the country. The coffee shop serves as a community hub, sharing a bright, mid-century inspired space with a bar and package store featuring a brise-soleil accent wall, murals designed by Secret Society Goods, and very Instagrammable bathrooms.

My favorite local coffee shop is Café Au Lait in Roswell, Georgia. Everything about this experience is wonderful. From the wood burning fireplace to it’s homemade-looking décor (as if you’re sitting in your living room) to the friendly staff, it’s is a best-kept secret in East Roswell. If anyone visits, please don’t forget to get a blueberry muffin to go with your specialty coffee.

Located in the border of Newport beach and Costa Mesa, this specialty coffee and surf shop is my absolute favorite because it gives their customers a homey aroma and a unique, warm approach that lure real coffee and surf lovers. Aside from the god-tier taste of their craft expresso drinks, their staff is very much welcoming and accommodating. Plus, the stuff they sell alongside, like surfboards and all vintage-styled apparels are a big hit. Personally, I love anything found here and I can't find a coffee shop with a sweeter vibe than Daydream Surf Shop.

Found Coffee is my favorite locally owned coffee shop because they are incredible at cultivating community and often feature local coffee roasters, local artists' work, and pop-ups of local food businesses (pre-COVID). As a small business owner myself, I love being part of a community that supports and uplifts each other.