The chairs bit was a joke I introduced to lighten the mood in a thread that was getting way too heated.

much thanks to everyone who voted for us in the BEST of OKC. we may not have the most fans, but we definitely have the BEST fans.

So by voting for another coffee shop, I am not a best fan?

So by voting for another coffee shop, I am not a best fan?

no, of course not. you are the best fan of all. just because you are YOU.

Hey Jim, who's coffee are you guys using? Sorry, I'm sure that is on here someplace!

Another day, another ego fed. May have to go back to drinking coffee, just to have a reason to go to the north side and meet Jim. 8^)

Jim, it's all about the chairs. And your chairs are a darker shade than those at C&J and Slingers.

Hey Jim, who's coffee are you guys using? Sorry, I'm sure that is on here someplace!

we exclusively use Equal Exchange (http://www.equalexchange.coop/) for all of our brewed coffee beans, espresso beans and teas. We get freshly roasted beans in weekly. They are all organic and fairly traded. But most importantly, they just taste better.

Jim, it's all about the chairs. And your chairs are a darker shade than those at C&J and Slingers.

indeed.

If you sit in one of Jim's chairs long enough, do you become well roasted by the darker shade's superior heat retention?

If you sit in one of Jim's chairs long enough, do you become well roasted by the darker shade's superior heat retention?

sure, if you are into that...

We may have to stop by there the next time we are up in OKC.

A place that actually does roasting, reminds me of a place that I go to sometimes down here, Mozart's Coffee Roasters (http://www.mozartscoffee.com/) on Lake Austin. We have stopped there on many a chiller night on a motorcycle ride...not that we have to worry about that at the moment with the heat. The coffee is warming and the aroma is almost intoxicating.

FYI - We finally added French Press to our menu.
I'm not sure why it took me so long, some excuse about price and availability...

anyhoo - we got them and our coffee is sooo good on the press. I've had our house roast and our espresso roast, and they were incredible.

come in, grab a 32 oz. press of your favorite bean and enough mugs to share (or bogart it) for only $12 + tax.

thinking aloud:

1) want to increase late afternoon and evening business, thinking about a happy hour special: ideas?

2) might have the french pressed coffee priced too high: would you pay $8 for a 32oz. fresh pressed coffee?

3) want to add some special PM desserts: suggestions?

I think part of your task, especially now that Western is reopened, is to find a way to make your place a neighborhood hang-out.

What if you have happy hour on smoofies on select days or all week long?

thinking aloud:

1) want to increase late afternoon and evening business, thinking about a happy hour special: ideas?

2) might have the french pressed coffee priced too high: would you pay $8 for a 32oz. fresh pressed coffee?

3) want to add some special PM desserts: suggestions?


I have a suggestion for [3]. How about some fried pies ? Contact me at 478-9090, if you are interested.


Broome

thinking aloud:

1) want to increase late afternoon and evening business, thinking about a happy hour special: ideas?
- Do a price for coffee and a dessert, two coffees and a dessert (or two) and similar.
- Have a special tied to coming by after a movie, dinner, ball game and similar late night activities ($2 discount with the stub or receipt on a coffee and dessert)



3) want to add some special PM desserts: suggestions?
(not in any particular order)

Cheesecake (varieties - ala Ultimate Cheesecake in Edmond)
Fine chocolates (ala European post-dinner desserts)
Apple Pie
Tiramisu
Creme Brule - Vanilla bean, coffee and a seasonal
Torte - Chocolate Hazelnut, Triple-Chocolate or similar
Panna Cotta - serve with berries and a cookie

I've been avoiding the entire area because of the construction. What's the best way to get there...can I go east on 150th through Western?

Thanks!

Broome - LOVE your fried pies. GREAT product. unfortunately it doesn't quite mesh with our existing product lines. if that changes, would love to figure out a way to carry your fried pies.

bob - good stuff, thank you. along the same lines as what i had in mind.

other suggestions are great and could help us shape the future of our business. love to know what people WANT before i just go forward with what i have in mind. thanks in advance.

Having been to your place several times, I'd suggest rncreating a different vibe for night time than what's present for daytime. It's pretty cool to have a coffee shop where the game is playing on the tv on a Sat. afternoon. But I'm not sure people want the tv on at night and would probably prefer a cool mix of music.
Another advantage you have, but could be a detriment for some, is that you have the only coffee shop I know of that is child friendly.
I've probably only made matters worse here, offering no real advice...

steve:

nite vibe - usually we do change the lighting and have music playing at night, sometimes urban jazz or unplugged-style or whatever employees chose from their iPods. movies and sporting events in the evenings are actually pretty rare - special occassion or by-request.

kid friendly - since we are a neighborhood shop we work very hard to be sure that we are all age friendly. we really don't have a specific target market in age or otherwise, we are accommodating and flexible to any and all types.

thanks for the input - it is always good to know what messages you are sending from our customers' point of view.

You still open on Sundays? If so, I'll try to make it out there tomorrow.

almost never open on sundays, with the exception of private bookings. gotta have one day off a week.

Sorry... try to make it out next weekend then.

cool. sorry i'll miss you, wife and i headed out of town to celebrate 14th wedding anniversary. (do let me know how the employees do, they are a great bunch, but you never know what happens when you aren't around, LOL)

thinking aloud:


3) want to add some special PM desserts: suggestions?

I think cupcakes from Saturn Grill would be perfect for a coffee shop...I like the Vanilla and Red Velvet cupcakes (I don't like chocolate). Now if you actually get some...be sure to post it here and I will be in everyday!

I've never been to Vintage Coffee, but just looked at your hours...Why do you close early on Wednesdays? Is it because of church?

I think cupcakes from Saturn Grill would be perfect for a coffee shop...I like the Vanilla and Red Velvet cupcakes (I don't like chocolate). Now if you actually get some...be sure to post it here and I will be in everyday!

I've never been to Vintage Coffee, but just looked at your hours...Why do you close early on Wednesdays? Is it because of church?

- we carry Red Velvet Muffins with Cream Cheese Icing everyday (Brown's Bakery - also cran/orange, blueberry, coffee cake w/ cream cheese & banana walnut)

- yes we close early on wednesday nights for church. don't draw any unnecessary conclusions from that. i was also a bartender for over a decade. my non-believing friends will be first to tell you that i am hardly the churchie type.

sorry for the defensive reply, religion is one of those hot-button topics that i avoid talking about on the internet. it seems to polarize people, so i don't talk about it unless asked. while i believe that faith is something that you should share, i think the only way to truly share it, is to live it. if you are doing it right, people will ask about it.

i doubt you wanted to know all that. but i just want to shut down anyone's preconceived notions ahead of time. any other discussions on the topic anyone wants to have with me can be in person. i'll provide the coffee. :kicking:

live acoustic music perhaps?

live acoustic music perhaps?

we've done it. it has been ok.


i refuse to pay ASCAP or BMI, so only original music here.

Gotcha. Not a hater of the wired, but I'm a bigger fan of unplugged music in any form.

Broome - LOVE your fried pies. GREAT product. unfortunately it doesn't quite mesh with our existing product lines. if that changes, would love to figure out a way to carry your fried pies.

bob - good stuff, thank you. along the same lines as what i had in mind.

other suggestions are great and could help us shape the future of our business. love to know what people WANT before i just go forward with what i have in mind. thanks in advance.


Jim, I appreciate your candor. One day, I will get over to enjoy your product.


Broome

I saw this thread last week and have to admit that I didn't even know Vintage Coffee was there, as I've been bypassing the whole intersection for over a year because of all the construction.

I tried it this week and it was a great cup of coffee. I had the Octoberfest (Oktoberfest?) blend and after the first sip I actually said WOW aloud, and I was by myself. It is so much better than anything I've had at Starbucks.

I have to rate it up there with my other memorable coffee experiences, which would be Blue Mountain coffee in Jamaica, Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans, and some made with a Clover machine in Los Angeles.

Smooth, delcicious, perfectly flavored...it was wonderful. It's a little out of my way in the morning but I'm going to become a semi-regular.

I still haven't been by when you're open. I've been wanting to try the coffee for a few months now.

Eventually I'll get in there! I just normally drive by around 7-8pm.

thanks Christi!

euphoria - we are always open at 7 or 8pm except wednesdays and sundays. if we are ever not open at 7 or 8pm on the other days so one is gonna get fired. lol.

monday & tuesdays open until at least 9pm
thursday, friday & saturdays open 'til at least 10pm

we also have a drive-thru if you are in a hurry.

French press coffee at Embers Steakhouse inside Firelake Grand Casino is awesome. Some of the best I've ever had. I want to get by your shop soon as I love a good cup of joe. Let me add my vote for live acoustic music. Not sure about the BMI/ASCAP issues, but Edgar Cruz is always a hit.

thinking aloud:

1) want to increase late afternoon and evening business, thinking about a happy hour special: ideas?

2) might have the french pressed coffee priced too high: would you pay $8 for a 32oz. fresh pressed coffee?

3) want to add some special PM desserts: suggestions?

I'm big into guerilla marketing, so put on my best brain-storming hat...

How about encouraging discussion groups/study groups to congregate there?

$12 DOES seem to be a pretty high price point for French pressed, but how about issuing a challenge for the unititated to give it a try - money back if they don't agree that it is superior? True coffee lovers will keep coming back.

Desserts? I agree with the Broome's Fried Pies idea, your opinion notwithstanding. May not be the "sip with your pinky extended" type of dessert, but come on now...they are AWESOME pies and Okies love 'em.

we have a few studies/book clubs - would love to have more

i moved the french press to $8 for 32oz -- kind of a bargain, really

"sip w/ pinky extended" LOL!

but Edgar Cruz is always a hit.

haven't seen edgar in years, he's such a great guy.

"Pinky" comment offered in good humor...:-D

BTW - $8 for the 32 oz. French Press sounds good to me. I'm a big fan and must get there to taste, SOON.

"Pinky" comment offered in good humor...:-D

i got a kick out of that. being a simple oklahoma coffee shop that doesn't aspire to copy anything from the east or west coast, we can appreciate a good natured joke.

BTW - $8 for the 32 oz. French Press sounds good to me. I'm a big fan and must get there to taste, SOON.

our "black silk" espresso bean on the french press is my favorite. highly recommend!

our "black silk" espresso bean on the french press is my favorite. highly recommend!

Espresso sounds good as long as it doesn't taste like Starburnts.

Espresso sounds good as long as it doesn't taste like Starburnts.

no worries. we actually like our customers. we only serve stuff that tastes good.

I've been avoiding the entire area because of the construction. What's the best way to get there...can I go east on 150th through Western?

Thanks!

sorry, didn't see this one!

Yes. although all roads are open now.

Still haven't made it there, but plan to this week. I have been dreaming about "black silk" beans brewed in a French press. Is that weird?

Still haven't made it there, but plan to this week. I have been dreaming about "black silk" beans brewed in a French press. Is that weird?

nope. did the press yesterday. enjoyed every last drop.

* shameless bump *

for anyone else with coffee questions. of course.

Don't apologize for the bump. You do a great deal more for this thread than many. Thanks for bringing it up. I still need to get there.

* shameless bump *

for anyone else with coffee questions. of course.

Should you ever feel shame for giving a nod to your own product, then there's a reason to apologize. Until then, bump away. Some new folks might find ya for the first time.

thanks guys. i've been accused of selfless hawking of my wares.

*shrug* what can i say? i believe in my product.

:artist:

thanks guys. I've been accused of selfless hawking of my wares.

*shrug* what can i say? i believe in my product.

:artist:

If you believe in your product and/or service, "hawk" away, next time I'm in the area, I stop by for a cup.

we are open today, come by and see us on your "free" day off!

we are open today, come by and see us on your "free" day off!

hah! I wish...

Some of us don't work for the state, or for a school district, or for a company that gives a crap about its employees...

hah! I wish...

Some of us don't work for the state, or for a school district, or for a company that gives a crap about its employees...


wow, bitter much? LOL! no, really, hope you find a more rewarding employer.

hah! I wish...

Some of us don't work for the state, or for a school district, or for a company that gives a crap about its employees...

you mean I'm not the only one? seems like I was one of few actually out driving the roads this morning.

I am at work too. For some reason my clients that did not go to work yesterday came in today so we can get payroll checks out to their employees. I could do it from home if I had to but who wouldn't want to be out on a day like this. Heck, I couldn't justify not going in to the office today if I am damn sure going to the Thunder game tonight.

I am at work too. For some reason my clients that did not go to work yesterday came in today so we can get payroll checks out to their employees. I could do it from home if I had to but who wouldn't want to be out on a day like this. Heck, I couldn't justify not going in to the office today if I am damn sure going to the Thunder game tonight.

I'm working, too. Certain government entities have to keep the wheels turnin' no matter what.

I actually made it to Vintage Coffee this morning. Was customer #5. Saw that little blue neon sign from 150th & Western and just had to grab a cup to go.

Was very pleasantly surprised. Great place to spend a cold winter's day!

thanks FritterGirl!

we haven't seen a lot of people today, but us being open has made a difference for those we have.

I live way down in Norman, but sometime soon I might make a special trip just to check your shop out. Sounds like a good time!