So you’ve got what it takes to open a small, local coffee shop: serious barista skills, recipes for a bunch of awesome beverages, and the knowhow to whip up some delicious eats.
That’s all great and totally necessary, but what are you going to call your cafe? Brew up a big pot of coffee for this one because this is going to require your attention.
Look around at all of the successful coffee shops and you will find that a majority of them have great names. Much like in any other type of business, choosing a name that is both unique and catchy is an important part of the business-planning process. You want a passerby to actually walk in, and a good name can make this happen.
Cafe Name Brainstorming
A few things should be considered:
- Keep it simple. Choose a name that’s short and sweet and try to avoid cafe names that are difficult for the average Joe to pronounce or spell (pun intended)! You want them to be able to remember you rather than settle for the nearest chain coffee shop. (Yeah, we’re looking at you, Starbucks!)
- Look to your specialty beverages and treats. Find inspiration, perhaps at the bottom of a cup of coffee (or two, or three…). “Espresso, ” “Mocha, ” and “Latte” all sound good in a name, especially to someone yearning for a cup.
- Use your name. If your name is Joe, celebrate with a shot of espresso! Espresso Joe’s sounds pretty good! Even if your name isn’t Joe, it will add personality and homeyness to your cafe’s name.
- Use your location. Location plays a big part in the success of your coffee shop, so why not emphasize it in your shop’s name? Manhattan Mocha, Jacksonville Java, and Boston Baristas are a just a few examples to get the juices (or should I say coffee) flowing!
- Use adjectives. Using a coffee drink or tasty treat in the name? Try adding different adjectives (hot, homemade, sweet, etc.) to see what flows nicely together.
- Use the theme. If your cafe will have a theme, incorporate it into the name if possible.
- Think of your audience. Are you trying to gear your cafe toward a certain crowd of people? If this is the case, keep this in mind when thinking of cafe names. Youngsters aren’t likely to frequent a cafe called “Old Geezer’s Coffee.”
Get Opinions From Others
After making a very long list of possible names (it is okay to list some that seem silly or outrageous, as this list will be narrowed down, and after reading these outrageous names a few times over, they may grow on you), give the list to close friends and family members and have them choose the names they like. This will give you an idea of what names will give your cafe that frontline appeal, the kind of appeal that can make all the difference.
If you are really having a hard time coming up with any names, or if you find yourself stuck between a few good ones, invite a group over to discuss it over some coffee (how suitable)! Just keep sipping that coffee, the name will come to you!
A catchy name is just the first step in attracting customers to a cafe. Equally important is the cafe’s external ambiance which includes its overall design and appeal from the street. Enhancing the external look with quality materials like vinyl siding can create a welcoming vibe that invites passersby inside.
Additionally, using vinyl siding is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical, as it’s durable and easy to maintain. A well-thought-out exterior can complement a clever name, making the cafe stand out in the bustling American coffee scene.