HASTINGS cafe owners and coffee trucks are brewing more than a morning heart-starter for caffeine lovers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The coffee bean is far from being a has-been. There's a revolution happening, one cup at a time.
COVID-19 has forced many businesses to alter their business model and adapt to changes that are often well outside their control.
Among the many business sectors to rapidly embrace change has been our cafe operators.
What was successful in the pre-COVID days was quickly eclipsed to meet the changing needs of their many customers.
Coffee at Alice's owner Alice Totonjian, Round and Round Coffee's Jess Davidson and Greg Cacace from Group Therapy Coffee are just three business operators who have met that challenge.
Ms Totonjian opened her coffee shop just six weeks ago with the move already exceeding expectations.
The coffee shop adjoins another of her businesses Alice in Paperland.
"I always thought that coffee and craft would work well together," she said.
"It started off with a bang and we are really thrilled with how it is continuing to work well.
"The two businesses are working hand in hand," she said.
"People will be searching for craft items and will then invariably walk into the coffee shop and order lunch.
"There has definitely been a merging of the two (enterprises)."
The coffee shop also offers a drive through service which many customers use by ordering online.
Ms Totonjian said the flexibility of the drive through service has been fabulous.
"We get a lot of drivers coming through from Wauchope for work or visit family or friends," she said.
"Because we are the only coffee outlet on this side of the road we are well-positioned for people to call in.
"It has been a major benefit.
"I think that more businesses need to look outside of their normal operations."
She says people are feeling insecure because of COVID-19 and are reticent to venture too far away from their homes or even out of the vehicles.
"You need to adapt to what people are wanting," she added.
Jess Davidson says she had to flip her business model in just three days in order to survive.
Normally based at Roto House at the entrance to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Jess said she was "devastated" when told her business would have to move from its popular site.
"There was some sadness when we were told," she admits.
But that was quickly overtaken by the realisation that things needed to change, and rapidly.
"In just three days I'd organised council and real estate approval to move our coffee van to our front yard.
"Then we did some research and worked out we could offer a home delivery coffee service.
"While there was some initial trial and error, the move was successful."
With 12 deliveries on the first day of the new working plan, Jess says it quickly expanded.
She says having good planning and not being afraid to try things were key to the success.
At its height, the business was employing four delivery drivers in a three-hour window to service homes and business in Port Macquarie.
"It was successful because of the support and efforts of staff, family and our customers," she said.
It was successful because of the support and efforts of staff, family and our customers.
- Jess Davidson
Another key was finding and working with like-minded businesses.
Jess said this was particularly beneficial for Mother's Day where they delivered coffee along with treats and gifts from local businesses.
"It was like an online market place where people were placing orders leading into Mother's Day," she said.
Now back at Roto House, Jess says many of their new customers have followed them to their traditional base.
She estimates that the business has maintained a fairly consistent line of revenue despite the upheavals.
"It was a really terrible time for the community but we made it a pretty positive experience for everyone.
"Every business needs to adapt and be flexible to move with the times and stay ahead of the pack.
"It gives you a point of difference.'
"I am always looking to capture a new audience and change things up. It should be a normal business practice."
Soon after we began offering a local business delivery service. And while this had its own challenges it helped us keep all our staff onboard.
- Greg Cacace
Group Therapy Coffee's Greg Cacace said community support was key to their success during the pandemic's initial lockdown.
The business, based in the industrial area, essentially lost its entire dine-in customer base overnight.
"That raised immediate alarm bells," he said.
"So we tweaked the business model and started offering retail of different items.
"We became more like a little supermarket to help supplement our lost revenue.
"Soon after we began offering a local business delivery service. And while this had its own challenges it helped us keep all our staff onboard.
"We were very fortunate," he said.
"I think Port Macquarie was very much a bubble compared with the rest of the country and the major centres.
"There is a very strong community feeling of support for the local food industry here.
"And that is something the larger city centres just don't have."
Mr Cacace says his business is getting close to back to normal compared with pre-COVID-19 trade.
"But the patterns of trade and what we are selling have certainly changed," he added.
Has your business embraced change during the pandemic? Send us an email to peter.daniels@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Also making news:
Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.