Retail Location for a Cafe in Calgary

[NoPulp]

Maybe haha. I don't like coffee myself, but I know plenty of coffee snobs. I just don't see much competition in Lethbridge.

The west side would be a good place to invest, its growing at an incredible rate but most the bushiness is downtown or on the south end.
The north may also be a good place, I am biased though. There's not much for food places in the north, but there's a demand. There's also a huge park being built on the north end which I think would drive people up here. If the shop only services coffee, I'm not sure. If the shop is more of a restaurant, i think it could be successful. Original joes is our only option and they do very well.

[ercchry]

OJ's would be a fancy night out for those townies

Cheap is the name of the game down there, broke ass students, old retirees, and farm folk rule... with the odd young professional, who isn't getting paid well

It's amazing how not well a lot of things that work well in calgary do down there. Hell even the Blarney Stone shut down and that place use to get packed! ...when they offered cheap wings and pints haha

[ickyflex]

West Springs also has that ACE Diner where you can get Coffee (P&S) to go

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by riander5
I don't drink coffee. Whats all the hype about

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...me%20coffee%3F

[max_boost]

^^^ nice lol

[TYMSMNY]

If you're thinking of opening a "first in Canada" sort of cafe/coffee shop, I'd be hard pressed to open up anywhere but a high traffic, high volume, and high visibility location. You're "international chain of cafe" probably won't ring a bell with most people.

To put up all that capital... franchise fee... possibly a master franchise agreement... it's a one shot kind of move. Big money upfront but between the few of you, should be able to keep a float for awhile.

[speedog]

Originally posted by TYMSMNY
If you're thinking of opening a "first in Canada" sort of cafe/coffee shop, I'd be hard pressed to open up anywhere but a high traffic, high volume, and high visibility location. You're "international chain of cafe" probably won't ring a bell with most people.

To put up all that capital... franchise fee... possibly a master franchise agreement... it's a one shot kind of move. Big money upfront but between the few of you, should be able to keep a float for awhile.

What was the name of that infamous doughnut place that tried and failed in Calgary, Krispy Kreme was it?

[Strider]

Originally posted by msommers
Wow had no idea there was a place in Hillhurst now, that's fantastic. Looks really nice, have you been??

I've been to Vintage Caffeine once. Phil & Seb established their coffee program, but I found that the quality just isn't as good. I think Analog will eat their lunch when they open in spring (if Vintage is still around by then).

Originally posted by zimba
It will be QSR, with sit in option for variety of zone options including counter, benches, cozy fire place, and communal table for a total capacity of around 40-50 in the cafe - design / aesthetics like Al Forno . I see more direct competition in Mission/4th Street area in La Boulangerie (near Safeway) as opposed to Purple Perk.

Sounds awesome. Al Forno is one of my favourite spots right now (both in concept and design). Although I always wonder how they're making a good go at it while Corbeaux failed miserably.

Originally posted by TYMSMNY
If you're thinking of opening a "first in Canada" sort of cafe/coffee shop, I'd be hard pressed to open up anywhere but a high traffic, high volume, and high visibility location. You're "international chain of cafe" probably won't ring a bell with most people.

To put up all that capital... franchise fee... possibly a master franchise agreement... it's a one shot kind of move. Big money upfront but between the few of you, should be able to keep a float for awhile.

On the contrary, I always see franchises opening up in obscure places like Airdrie as test markets before spreading into Calgary - cheaper rent and captive audience. Also, Edmonton is getting Chipotle and Popeye's before Calgary.

[raceman6135]

Sounds a little like Tully's Coffee with regard to the atmosphere and expansion plans. But that's just a WAG.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by HiTempguy1
Really? You are that hard up to oggle some tits?

Its like going to Hooters or the Tilted Kilt, why? Some mildly good looking chick pays attention to you (because you are paying them) and all of a sudden the food doesn't matter??

Don't get me wrong, I like nice scenery, but seriously.

Can't believe I'm saying this but....."hear, fucking, hear" lol.

I've never understood the whole Hooter's thing. I always felt stupid going in there. (A grand total of two times in my entire life) Am I supposed to gawk at your boobs and low-slung T-shirt? And if I am, why am I at this place when I can go to the peelers and get a good "eyeful" of the entire thing. And if I want good food, why not go to any of the thousands of other places that serve wings?

Can't believe they still exist.

But as far as the thread goes: Sure...why not open up THE most common business that goes bankrupt during the most distressed time this city has seen since the early 80's.
I'm sure you'll make a ton of money.

[max_boost]

How about at the ground floor of condo towers? Most towers have built in retail space at street level. I don't imagine that to be cheap.

For example Cafe Blanca at Waterfront appears to be doing quite well. I chatted with Derrick a few times and I believe he operates it with his sister. Everything from paint night to some sort of open mic / hipster stuff going on.

[suntan]

Cafe Guile totally beats Cafe Blanca.

[zimba]

We know it's tricky situation in Calgary to start any business, hence the question about the suitability of the timing was asked to get the feel of fellow members.

Having said this; Village Ice Cream has a niche which the owner has carved out very astutely and he is doing so well that he is offered several places to open but he refuses on the grounds that he has hands full.

Monogram is similar story even after P&S and Analog reigning the market of quality coffee loving crowd.

It does make us wonder if we should just shelve the plan for a year or two or just take the plunge as there is always an element of risk when starting a brand new product or service.

On a second note; looked at Quarry Park today as well as Bridgeland - they are very nice areas but need to revisit them again to get better feel at different times of the days.

Was also wondering when Five Guys and Blaze Pizza opening on 4th Street SW and how would they be welcomed in that area that has Flippin Burger and 4Th Street Pizza and Famoso - and with tons of Burger and Pizza joints within a mile's radius.

It has to have certain appeal to enter into current market landscape - coming into this market with flat product or service will definitely be suicidal. The place has to be destination or else it will have a very hard time being successful in current market conditions albeit forecasts of Alberta economy for 2017 is most promising amongst all provinces if we are to go with RBC, Scotia and Conference Board reports - that makes me wonder if there is any city in Canada that is conducive for starting a business or not which is THE most common business in the world as put by fellow members.

[TomcoPDR]

Would this work? http://www.kijiji.ca/v-business-indu...?channelId=208

[zimba]

Originally posted by TomcoPDR
Would this work? http://www.kijiji.ca/v-business-indu...?channelId=208

Thanks for the suggestion - but I think that this location will not work as product and service positioning is for a totally different clientele.

[TYMSMNY]

Sorry, is this an "international chain" or a "brand new product or service"?

If you're working with an international chain, i'm sure they've got brokers that can help you locate spaces that are less than "walk in off the street" rates. better base, better TI, better cams.

[zimba]

Yep ^

[zimba]

Originally posted by Strider

I've been to Vintage Caffeine once. Phil & Seb established their coffee program, but I found that the quality just isn't as good. I think Analog will eat their lunch when they open in spring (if Vintage is still around by then).


Sounds awesome. Al Forno is one of my favourite spots right now (both in concept and design). Although I always wonder how they're making a good go at it while Corbeaux failed miserably.

Corbeaux had too many things going at once, it simply confused the heck out of the consumer of 17th - as mostly establishments there are single or at most two lines of offerings.

DeVille in Bridgeland also failed as that market is not suited for it at this time - maybe 5 years down the line.

Al Forno is well executed as they have attained great segregation and bifurcation of different services - although breakfast, coffee and lunch is what I prefer at Al Forno but drinks and dinner is not their forte.

On the contrary, I always see franchises opening up in obscure places like Airdrie as test markets before spreading into Calgary - cheaper rent and captive audience. Also, Edmonton is getting Chipotle and Popeye's before Calgary.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by zimba

Was also wondering when Five Guys and Blaze Pizza opening on 4th Street SW and how would they be welcomed in that area that has Flippin Burger and 4Th Street Pizza and Famoso - and with tons of Burger and Pizza joints within a mile's radius.

A&W on 17th now has tons of business from kids because it's cheap.

Burger Inn is hanging on I assume it's because low cost where they are.

Clive is lowering prices with $15 Double Burger + Fries + Beer for lunch. So they must be hurting.

Flippin Burger is disgusting.

I will welcome 5 Guys with open arms.

Blaze tho, if they have same offering as Famoso, they are within 3 blocks of each other, so not sure how well that will end up. At least Bocce and Mercato has other stuff beyond Pizza.

Then again, there are 3 Japanese, 3 Vietnamese on 4th and they are all underwhelming and survives. So may be there is room.

[TomcoPDR]

@zimba any updates on this coffee venture? This past year (thread started), I’ve noticed retail space available from a combination of existing vacant/vacated businesses, to new strip malls in the process of being built all over the city.