It has been over a year since I have posted. I am going to try to settle on a couple of subjects and see where they take us. I have some very strong opinions, gets me in trouble at times but I really need to say what I believe. Just remember an opinion is like a ______,we all have one.
Until I figure out my first subject, I will leave you with baited breath.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, November 14, 2010
More thoughts about hours.
My wife and I have been looking at the "big" picture and have made some very difficult decisions. These decisions will definitely improve the hours, service and selections. I am not quite ready to release these decisions, soon, very soon.
We realize that we need to stay open later in the afternoon/early evening. The big questions is how late is too late? I personally love a good cup of coffee after dinner. Do enough people love a good cup of coffee after dinner? This may be our sixty four thousand dollar question. We also want to provide more food choices for the customer, especially breakfast.
Suggestions welcome just remember we do not have a full kitchen at the coffee shop. There will be no over -easy eggs or pancakes (maybe waffles). We can do baked eggs in puff pastry, maybe with a little spinach and feta or ham and cheese. I am getting hungry, are you?
We have also been giving some thought to special events on Friday and Saturday evenings. Open mic. night, poetry night, coffee and dessert tasting, the board is empty right now. If any one knows someone who might want to be involved in planning and organizing one of these nights - tell them to call or email me. Our email address is on our website - www.commongroundscoffeeanddeli.com
A couple of news items. We now have a reward program up and running. Come in and get a card, for every dollar you spend you will earn points, accumulate 100 points and you will receive $ 10.00 in credit for purchases at Common Grounds. Second is our email blast. Come in and sign a card with your email address and you will receive emails once a week with the weeks lunch specials on and a coupon of one kind or another.
Getting away from the coffee shop for a few minutes. I received a letter from the Bishop of The Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana this past week. This may seem odd except for the fact that my oldest son, Joshua, is a seminarian for the Diocese. Joshua is soon entering the last semester of his studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Maryland. He is scheduled to be ordained into priesthood on June 11, 2011. As a father I cannot be more proud of my son. Even though I may have to call him Father, he will always be my son. If anyone wants one more person to pray for may I suggest Josh. I know that he is praying for Roben and I and the rest of our family. Josh just turned 30, he has accomplished so much for a young man, I cannot wait to see what he will accomplish in the next 30 years.
This post is already too long. Until the next time.
We realize that we need to stay open later in the afternoon/early evening. The big questions is how late is too late? I personally love a good cup of coffee after dinner. Do enough people love a good cup of coffee after dinner? This may be our sixty four thousand dollar question. We also want to provide more food choices for the customer, especially breakfast.
Suggestions welcome just remember we do not have a full kitchen at the coffee shop. There will be no over -easy eggs or pancakes (maybe waffles). We can do baked eggs in puff pastry, maybe with a little spinach and feta or ham and cheese. I am getting hungry, are you?
We have also been giving some thought to special events on Friday and Saturday evenings. Open mic. night, poetry night, coffee and dessert tasting, the board is empty right now. If any one knows someone who might want to be involved in planning and organizing one of these nights - tell them to call or email me. Our email address is on our website - www.commongroundscoffeeanddeli.com
A couple of news items. We now have a reward program up and running. Come in and get a card, for every dollar you spend you will earn points, accumulate 100 points and you will receive $ 10.00 in credit for purchases at Common Grounds. Second is our email blast. Come in and sign a card with your email address and you will receive emails once a week with the weeks lunch specials on and a coupon of one kind or another.
Getting away from the coffee shop for a few minutes. I received a letter from the Bishop of The Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana this past week. This may seem odd except for the fact that my oldest son, Joshua, is a seminarian for the Diocese. Joshua is soon entering the last semester of his studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Maryland. He is scheduled to be ordained into priesthood on June 11, 2011. As a father I cannot be more proud of my son. Even though I may have to call him Father, he will always be my son. If anyone wants one more person to pray for may I suggest Josh. I know that he is praying for Roben and I and the rest of our family. Josh just turned 30, he has accomplished so much for a young man, I cannot wait to see what he will accomplish in the next 30 years.
This post is already too long. Until the next time.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
I have returned!
I know it has been a while since I have written anything here. I have been so busy trying to get a grip on Winter in Port Clinton. Business has been good. We are doing a really nice lunch, need more coffee drinkers though. Thinking of changing hours for the winter.
Looking for feedback on this. We now open at 6:00am, not many people moving around at this time. We do one or two customers between 6 and 7. We also think that there is possibly more business around 4 and we are missing them. We also are thinking of staying open late on Friday and Saturday - maybe 9:00pm. Looking to attract a crowd for the after dinner coffee, maybe have some entertainment or an open mic. night.
Anybody have any thoughts? We want to be open when our customers want us there.
I want to become a daily blogger but I can't seem to manage my time in order to think and write. I am a work in progress, still trying.
Talk to you tomorrow.
John
Looking for feedback on this. We now open at 6:00am, not many people moving around at this time. We do one or two customers between 6 and 7. We also think that there is possibly more business around 4 and we are missing them. We also are thinking of staying open late on Friday and Saturday - maybe 9:00pm. Looking to attract a crowd for the after dinner coffee, maybe have some entertainment or an open mic. night.
Anybody have any thoughts? We want to be open when our customers want us there.
I want to become a daily blogger but I can't seem to manage my time in order to think and write. I am a work in progress, still trying.
Talk to you tomorrow.
John
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Coffee University?
Good Evening,
Went to our coffee bean roaster in Cleveland yesterday. We wanted to learn more about coffee and what we can do to make our drinks better for our customers. I think we learned a lot. We were doing most things right they just needed tweaked. I think that we just needed to know that we were doing things properly and maintain consistency - make sure that every drink is the same every time.
It made me think about having a class or two about coffee for our customers. There are so many different coffees and roast and brewing techniques that I wonder if our customers would like to know what coffee is and how it is roasted. I will be putting the details together and when it gets a little colder and there is absolutely nothing else to do this winter we will have a school of higher education and learn about coffee.
After the coffee lessons we drove to Downtown and found the restaurant Lola. This is Micheal Symon's restaurant (he is an Iron Chef on Food Network). We had a fantastic dinner. Absolutely everything was wonderful. We had four different entrees and every one was as good as the other. I wish we had restaurants with that level of quality of food and service in Port Clinton. It really gives me some goals for the coffee shop.
I see that I have a new follower. Thanks for reading and comment when you want. You could also give me a call when you are leaving the country!!
I have been experimenting with some new sandwiches for the coffee shop. I am really excited about some of the flavors. We have also started the new customer reward program at the coffee shop. Come on in and fill out a card. We will be able to keep you informed about specials, special events and coupons.
Remember our ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE along with WPCR Radio. I am really excited about the evening and hope that we have a huge turn out. FREE medium coffee with I Voted sticker.
Time to go,
John
Went to our coffee bean roaster in Cleveland yesterday. We wanted to learn more about coffee and what we can do to make our drinks better for our customers. I think we learned a lot. We were doing most things right they just needed tweaked. I think that we just needed to know that we were doing things properly and maintain consistency - make sure that every drink is the same every time.
It made me think about having a class or two about coffee for our customers. There are so many different coffees and roast and brewing techniques that I wonder if our customers would like to know what coffee is and how it is roasted. I will be putting the details together and when it gets a little colder and there is absolutely nothing else to do this winter we will have a school of higher education and learn about coffee.
After the coffee lessons we drove to Downtown and found the restaurant Lola. This is Micheal Symon's restaurant (he is an Iron Chef on Food Network). We had a fantastic dinner. Absolutely everything was wonderful. We had four different entrees and every one was as good as the other. I wish we had restaurants with that level of quality of food and service in Port Clinton. It really gives me some goals for the coffee shop.
I see that I have a new follower. Thanks for reading and comment when you want. You could also give me a call when you are leaving the country!!
I have been experimenting with some new sandwiches for the coffee shop. I am really excited about some of the flavors. We have also started the new customer reward program at the coffee shop. Come on in and fill out a card. We will be able to keep you informed about specials, special events and coupons.
Remember our ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE along with WPCR Radio. I am really excited about the evening and hope that we have a huge turn out. FREE medium coffee with I Voted sticker.
Time to go,
John
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Election Night Coverage
Hello everyone,
I hope all are having a great Sunday. It has been a long week and I am trying to watch a little football and think about what is coming this week and beyond.
What are you doing on election night? You don't want to spend it alone. Wouldn't you like to be with friends, enjoying a coffee or tea and learning the outcome of the election?
Join Common Grounds Coffee and Deli and WPCR Radio for exclusive election night coverage. WPCR will broadcast live from the coffee shop as well as the Board of Elections. We have two flat screen TVs to keep up with all of the important races.
We will provide the munchies, the fireplace and the coffee. WPCR will provide the results, the commentary and guest that will analyze the results. You are charged with providing the fun and the conversation. Bring your friends and family.
We hope to see you at the coffee shop on November 2 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm or later. Make sure you vote and wear a "I Voted" sticker and receive a free medium coffee. As much as I hate the months preceding the election and all of the commercials and fake debates, I love election night and finding out who won.
I will keep you posted on the election night event and more details as they become available, keep checking back.
MAKE SURE YOU VOTE.
John
I hope all are having a great Sunday. It has been a long week and I am trying to watch a little football and think about what is coming this week and beyond.
What are you doing on election night? You don't want to spend it alone. Wouldn't you like to be with friends, enjoying a coffee or tea and learning the outcome of the election?
Join Common Grounds Coffee and Deli and WPCR Radio for exclusive election night coverage. WPCR will broadcast live from the coffee shop as well as the Board of Elections. We have two flat screen TVs to keep up with all of the important races.
We will provide the munchies, the fireplace and the coffee. WPCR will provide the results, the commentary and guest that will analyze the results. You are charged with providing the fun and the conversation. Bring your friends and family.
We hope to see you at the coffee shop on November 2 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm or later. Make sure you vote and wear a "I Voted" sticker and receive a free medium coffee. As much as I hate the months preceding the election and all of the commercials and fake debates, I love election night and finding out who won.
I will keep you posted on the election night event and more details as they become available, keep checking back.
MAKE SURE YOU VOTE.
John
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tis the season!
OH NO - More political talk from John.
I was reading a couple of blogs on the New Herald website and had to take a step back and say WOW are these people negative, glad I'm not!
It did make me think though. WE should be talking politics this time of year. WE have a very important election coming in a few weeks. WE should be talking about the issues, the candidates, the future. WE are at a crossroads in this country.
As you notice the word WE keeps coming up. Everything is up to us, the voter. WE may disagree with each other, WE may dislike one candidate or another but WE need to have polite, open and INTELLIGENT discussion.
I personally believe that this is the greatest place in the world to have been born, educated and have the opportunity to fail or succeed. I lived in a third world country for 3 years, believe me running water is pretty cool. I wish that many things were different here, many can be changed. It is still up to US, we have the God given right to determine our own destiny. No elected politician is going to decide whether I succeed or not. No one but me has the power to determine my future. Will I make mistakes - absolutely. I will learn from those mistakes and do better the next time. It, whatever that is, is up to me.
Think of this when you vote this November. No matter who you are voting for, VOTE. It is our right, a privilege and a duty.
See I am positive, optimistic and grateful that God let me be born here.
FREE MEDIUM COFFEE to everyone who has a "I Voted Today" sticker on election day.
Thanks, talk to you soon,
John
I was reading a couple of blogs on the New Herald website and had to take a step back and say WOW are these people negative, glad I'm not!
It did make me think though. WE should be talking politics this time of year. WE have a very important election coming in a few weeks. WE should be talking about the issues, the candidates, the future. WE are at a crossroads in this country.
As you notice the word WE keeps coming up. Everything is up to us, the voter. WE may disagree with each other, WE may dislike one candidate or another but WE need to have polite, open and INTELLIGENT discussion.
I personally believe that this is the greatest place in the world to have been born, educated and have the opportunity to fail or succeed. I lived in a third world country for 3 years, believe me running water is pretty cool. I wish that many things were different here, many can be changed. It is still up to US, we have the God given right to determine our own destiny. No elected politician is going to decide whether I succeed or not. No one but me has the power to determine my future. Will I make mistakes - absolutely. I will learn from those mistakes and do better the next time. It, whatever that is, is up to me.
Think of this when you vote this November. No matter who you are voting for, VOTE. It is our right, a privilege and a duty.
See I am positive, optimistic and grateful that God let me be born here.
FREE MEDIUM COFFEE to everyone who has a "I Voted Today" sticker on election day.
Thanks, talk to you soon,
John
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Cooler weather returns
Good Morning!
What a shock when I opened the door this morning and felt the cool breeze. It was almost cold outside. Ahhh, the perfect weather for a great cup of coffee or maybe a mocha or even a hot chocolate.
I love this time of year. I grew up on an orchard in Michigan and fall was the season that all the hard work of spring and summer was rewarded. Apples picked from the tree, fresh cider pressed in the barn and warm apple pie. Makes me want to go home and visit for a while. I will try to get an apple pie made for the coffee shop so you can share in my memories.
What else is going on? Yesterday was a bit slow, many people had a day off because of Columbus Day. I hope they all come back today. The radio show is still going very well on Saturday morning. If you have not heard the show, stop in and catch it live on Saturday from 9:00am till 11:00am. The show is hosted by Chris Galvin and broadcast live on WPCR Internet radio. We usually have a special or two and would love to see you there.
Over the weekend we made a few changes in the shop. We hung new menu boards, a few changes on them. Also finished the fireplace and put up a new shelf. If you have any suggestions please let us know. We need to hear from you to make the shop successful.
This week we kick off a customer reward program. To sign up you need to fill out a card and we will send out coupons and special offers via email. We WILL NOT sell your address or names to anybody. We also will have a unique fundraising card soon. If you are interested, let me know and we can set up your club or organization.
Thanks for reading, see you at COMMON GROUNDS COFFEE AND DELI soon.
John
What a shock when I opened the door this morning and felt the cool breeze. It was almost cold outside. Ahhh, the perfect weather for a great cup of coffee or maybe a mocha or even a hot chocolate.
I love this time of year. I grew up on an orchard in Michigan and fall was the season that all the hard work of spring and summer was rewarded. Apples picked from the tree, fresh cider pressed in the barn and warm apple pie. Makes me want to go home and visit for a while. I will try to get an apple pie made for the coffee shop so you can share in my memories.
What else is going on? Yesterday was a bit slow, many people had a day off because of Columbus Day. I hope they all come back today. The radio show is still going very well on Saturday morning. If you have not heard the show, stop in and catch it live on Saturday from 9:00am till 11:00am. The show is hosted by Chris Galvin and broadcast live on WPCR Internet radio. We usually have a special or two and would love to see you there.
Over the weekend we made a few changes in the shop. We hung new menu boards, a few changes on them. Also finished the fireplace and put up a new shelf. If you have any suggestions please let us know. We need to hear from you to make the shop successful.
This week we kick off a customer reward program. To sign up you need to fill out a card and we will send out coupons and special offers via email. We WILL NOT sell your address or names to anybody. We also will have a unique fundraising card soon. If you are interested, let me know and we can set up your club or organization.
Thanks for reading, see you at COMMON GROUNDS COFFEE AND DELI soon.
John
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