I live in small town want to open coffee shop need ideas for small town based business.?

The shop is already open but I just "inherited" it and have no idea how to draw in people. I don't drink coffee. Please help. It used to be a tobacco shop too but I quit selling cigarettes with the new taxes just no money in it. I am waiting for final improvements for health dept. Should I have music or poetry? Small town but does have a community college. Should I sell bakery and cheesecakes?

Think about attracting customers in terms of "occasions" of coffee drinking. Chains such as Starbuck's understand that they
must get customers who want to go there to take a break, have conversation, and interact with employees and other customers, and enjoy the ambience, not just purchase coffee. In other words, depending on the space you have
make it as inviting as possible, buy some old but comfortable chairs, keep several newspapers around on a coffee table, get wi fi at some point, have an art student paint something interesting on the walls, and whatever you do make conversation with the customers. i.e., create a "buzz" about the place locally that will draw customers by word of mouth.

Make a deal with a local baker to sell their products on consignment so that you don't have to worry about equipment or spoilage, etc

And , whatever you do, make sure you serve great coffee.

u shud name ur coffee shop: laffy taffy =p believe me i herd ppl like unique names. if not then sumthin else

Make sure you have a good nestegg and be prepared for a slow cash flow in the begining.

OPEN UP AT 6AM SERVE BREAKFAST , SERVE LUNCH AND CLOSE AROUND 2--3 AND THATS IT.

wonderful your shop might have potential for growth but alot of passion and effort must be palced in.
First you develop a business plan stating every thing you will need to serve your customers, the plan would help you create a business on a right path.
then you'll have to develop in the marketting strategies to attract your customers Marketting is very important just take McDonalds as an example
other thigs you'll have to deal with is your financial analysis
many of these subjects out there can be aided by professionals may be they can give u more advice.

congratulations!
yes! pastries are great
yes! music is great, check wether the young people from your comm.coll. wanna come and perform for free to get exposure.
best: aim at that college! invest a little in promotion:
coffee cards: buy ten get one for free
BYOC bring your own cup and save 10 cents
MOST! go to as many other coffe shops as poss. travel to the
next big city.
Enjoy the ride and get inspired!

he best advice i can give you is do your research.
and before you make any decisions, take some business classes.

also check around with local insurance agents , b/c you will need Commercial Liability insurance, if you have employees, you will need Worker's Compensation, and you need to know how much space will be dedicated to the kitchen, if you are going to have more than just coffee, that will play into how much your yearly premium is going to cost you.

i cant give you to much advice since i do not know what all you have in mind.

but good luck! (and be careful about cleanliness.)

Do your research. Even though you don't drink coffee a lot of people do. Make sure you get a good brand and maybe a few different choices. Different flavors of teas also. Open at 5 or 6 am close about 3 pm. Serve breakfast and lunch. Desserts are always popular. People in small towns are often looking for homemade tasting items. Make sure you give them what they are paying for. Have a special each day. Free refills on drinks (soda, coffee, tea) is always a plus. US Foods and Sysco have a lot of different items and are good wholesalers.