Cyprus-Forum.com

[cyprusgrump]

You know what else could be good. The normal coffee you get everywhere in the US decaf or not, with the free refills. I dont know of many people who give free refills in Cyprus

Free refills – coffee and soft drinks!

Excellent Idea!

When I visited the ‘States I could never understand why my friends ordered large drinks from restaurants – you get free refills, just go back when it is empty surely?

The answer turned out to be simple – you can take more home with you!

[andri_cy]

yup. Aint the states a great country?

[Sotos]

OK, its a bad idea to open such a coffee shop, its true that CY is oversaturated, only a few places offer a good coffee quality and good service and good prices (usually either or all of these fail...). Try to find a decent place, a nice view is also admirable, and a lot of parking spaces nearby or next to the shop. You'll have competition from the Starbucks and other chain shops as well as the local names... A nice deco is a must , as well as low prices, nice, happy-faces-employees... As for the the laws, you will have to obey all the EU safety and health regulations, like fire exits, number of WCs, kitchen, etc. Its true that some small shops do not obey all these, but as a foreigner you have to limit the risks...

You will also need some connections if your want a lot of customers. Make agreements with some known "leaders" in your city. They will come and bring many friends with them. The rest will see your place packed and they will come too. In Cyprus most people (not me!) like to go to cafes that are packed with people. They are willing to sit in the corner of a packed cafe than sit in the next cafe that is empty.

[andri_cy]

Omg isnt that crazy. I hate packed places. When I was in Cyprus, my friends would drag me to those places and as cute as it would be when it wasnt so busy it would be unbearable to me when everyone came. What is the point of going to a cafe where you cant even hear what the person next to you is saying. Unbelievable. I like quiet corner cafes and such but who knows.

[Sotos]

I hate packed places also. But it seems most people are not like us. The more buzz and noise the better for them. What is worst than a packed cafe is a packed cafe were everyone around you smokes! I hate it!!

[Tuberider]

Free refills are not a bad idea for Cyprus.

But be prepared for lots of kids hanging around who will spend 1 pound for a coke and sit there all night.

Better to do something really different.

How about some good stand-up comedy, a nice accoustic guitar singer phoebe-style, maybe amatuer nights too ?

[andri_cy]

Well I dont know in Cyprus, but in the USA coke costs 1 cent per cup and coffee less than that. So even if you have some people who pay 1 pound and sit there for ever you make your money off other people. Plus you dont have to do unlimited refills. maybe you offer up to so many free refills. No one is used to free refills anyway so even a limited amount of free is good.

[cyprusgrump]

I like to go to those breakfast places in the ‘States where they give you free coffee ‘til you are a jabbering wreck…

[andri_cy]

I like the buffet style stuff in the 'States. where you can eat breakfast for 6.99 dollars including your drink. Thats why there are so many overweight people in this country. They all like to eat and there is food everywhere!