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Document to help opening a café vélo/bike café?

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Document to help opening a café vélo/bike café?

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Old 08-20-14, 07:15 AM
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Document to help opening a café vélo/bike café?

Hello

Title says it all: I'm curious about what it takes to open a café vélo/bike café.

It could be just a non-profit, ie. make just enough money to cover salaries + rent.

Is there a document written by people who successfully opened and run that kind of place?

Thank you.
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Old 08-20-14, 07:18 AM
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Add some beer and wine to the menu and I'll go visit your place in Paris mon ami, .
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Old 08-20-14, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
Add some beer and wine to the menu and I'll go visit your place in Paris mon ami, .
Alcohol requires a license, though
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Old 08-20-14, 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Winfried
Alcohol requires a license, though
A license to drink wine in France . . . . quelle horreur
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Old 09-10-14, 06:17 AM
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Apparently, bike cafés/café vélos are mostly for-profit organizations that happen to offer a "cycling atmosphere", rather than a volunteer-based, non-profit like NYC's Time's Up.

So the challenge is no different than opening a regular café/restaurant that also sells parts and repair service for people who don't want to get their hands dirty.
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Old 09-10-14, 06:39 AM
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The only thing I can think of is the Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington MA, www.ridestuiocafe.com .
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Old 09-10-14, 12:05 PM
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We have one here, but I have no documentation
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Old 09-10-14, 12:19 PM
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It's called a "business plan" and just because you are looking to be non-profit, it doesn't mean you can get away without one.
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Old 09-10-14, 02:10 PM
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This genre is popping up all over New York and, I think, other cities.

There is a book called "Leading Out Retail" which you can get on Kindle. I'm currently reading it. It doesn't mention the food service idea, but it's a good thing to start with. It's self-published, and as a result, editing and proofreading are frighteningly missing. But the content is good, so I forgive the author, and I'm grateful for what he's done.
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Old 09-10-14, 02:49 PM
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I totally want to work at a spot like that, but I have all these weird hang-ups about having grease/brake dust on my fingertips as I'm packing shots and steaming milk....

If I ever see one of these pop up in my area, I've just got to work there. I've got a lot of experience as a barista, a little bit as a wrench, and I've been drinking a lot of coffee and riding a lot for my entire adult life.....
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Old 09-10-14, 02:55 PM
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How funny, I am sitting at my desk with a 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee from BICYCLE COFFEE co | Fresh, Locally Roasted Coffee, Delivered by Bicycle.. I like that I can get beans roasted the same day or 1 day old.
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