Purchasing furniture for your
coffee shop is an exciting task,
but make sure you approach
it with the proper gravity, as
the look and feel of your business are major elements of your
overall brand.
many clients who don't think
about this when purchasing their original furniture.
A couple of years later they
go to replace something that
has broken, only to find that
the cost to repair it has risen
astronomically because it's a
unique item.
It's important to factor in
durability when looking to
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CYNTHIA MEADORS
If you want a clean-cut, modern look,
make sure you are buying furniture that
fits that. But be warned: Picking ultratrendy items may mean that your style
goes out of date more quickly. If this
is the look you want, you will need to
budget more to keep up with the trends.
While some coffee shops may upgrade
their furniture every five years, you may
have to upgrade yours every three years
to stay current. If your sales can justify
this level of spending, it may be worth it.
But be sure to think about what is truly
driving customers into your store.
Maybe your shop is better suited to
a funky look with vintage furniture—if
that's the case, take your time when
purchasing items. Often you can find
bargains if you're willing to wait for the
right product. Let your friends and colleagues know what you're looking for—
and what your preferred budget is—and
with some patience and other sets of
eyes helping you, you will likely come
across the furniture at a good price.
Another element to consider when budgeting for furniture is the replacement of
broken, worn or damaged items, which can
be very expensive. The more one-of-a-kind
the furniture, the more expensive it will
be to replace or repair. I have worked with
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