Mountain Espresso

How a Small Espresso Shop Survives.

Mountain Espresso in Weed, CA. is a medium-size cabin like shop that I’ve been going to since 2009. However, they’re not alone anymore. There’s espresso and coffee shops everywhere. From the smallest trailers, to the largest corporate and franchised operations. So, what keeps me coming back to particular shop in my travels? First, offer what the larger, more corporate brands don't. Such as, the 32oz espresso shake, my personal favorite. Second, be familiar with your customers. As a repeat consumer, the ladies at Mountain Espresso know my name and my preferences. This isn’t a make or break requirement for me but I do appreciate the verbal shorthand now and then. Third, always have what the customer wants. Mountain Espresso has never been out of product. This might sound absurd however, I offer this example: I’ve been a regular customer for several years at an espresso shop in Sunnyside, WA, as well. One day they were out of 32oz cups. I went to another shop in nearby Prosser, WA, and never went back to the other one. No hard feelings, just found another source for what I want and another customer relationship developed. And that speaks to the fierce competition in the world of espresso. These smaller shops are as much in competition with each other as the larger chains trying to take their customers. I’m a dedicated customer for sure, but I must balance this with how results oriented I am. Mountain Espresso, so far, has kept the scale tipped towards the results. And don’t worry ladies, the new Starbucks across the street isn’t even a consideration. But I may use their Wi-Fi.