Let’s be honest … bike shops smell great. Those new tires, clothes, and gear give off an intoxicating smell. There’s probably something in those smells that triggers our brains to make irrational bike decisions. “No, I want 170mm of travel, not 130mm for my trail bike.” “Of course, upgrading to a carbon crankset makes good financial sense.” However, another smell might be even more soul-stirring … coffee.
While there are a few bike shops out there that serve coffee, there are not enough. Plain and simple. We know many shops do have beer on tap, which is excellent in the afternoon, but coffee is where it’s not only in the afternoon but, more importantly, in the morning.
I can think of sitting down in a local bike shop several times and enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee. A few times, I went in just to have a cup of coffee.
One of the constants in the bike industry is change. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a growing emphasis on bike brands selling directly to customers online. That has brought a level of clarity to existing local bike shops and how they’re going to stay viable and active at a time when all someone needs to do to buy a bike is hit a few clicks on their computers at home. But we know a bike shop is more than a transactional place to buy bikes and other goods. It’s about community.
There are so many ways that bike shops continue to be the hub of local communities. Each one offers something unique. Most often, they’re organizing rides, putting on races, supporting trail building efforts, mobilizing trail building days themselves, hosting events, and so much more. Serving coffee is simply one more way to give and serve. Some shops simply serve it free of charge. Others treat it as having their own cafe inside like a typical coffee shop. Either way, it’s a win and a great way to foster community among new and old customers.
If you are interested in serving Loam Coffee in your shop, click the button below and drop us an email. Whether you use our coffee or not, we hope you get set up to serve coffee. If you need help figuring out what kind of set-up you need, drop us an email. We'd be happy to assist.
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