Specialty Coffee Retailer is a publication for owners, managers and employees of retail outlets that sell specialty coffee. Its scope includes best sales practices, supplies, business trends and anything else to assist the small coffee retailer.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/73257
addition to paintings, the art includes native beadwork, jewelry, books and cards. Th e shop sources its art through the Killdeer Artisans Guild, a guild for local artists, which handles all the exhibit changeovers. Displays change about fi ve times a year, Mollica says. Hangin Art has two formal exhibit areas separate from their As with Caff e Luxxe, the artwork at Hangin Art is local. In foodservice areas. "In the foodservice area we do not hang work where there is a potential for it to be damaged by coff ee, Mollica says. When art is sold, the artist receives 70 percent of the sale, " Killdeer receives 10 percent, and Hangin Art collects 20 percent. Mollica says sales of art were a good revenue stream for the shop until late 2009, when a new road opened that detoured much tourist traffi c away from the downtown business district. Nevertheless, Mollica says artwork remains an essential part of the business. "Th e artwork is important to the community, and we get lots of questions and comments, particularly because local customers know most of the artists," she says. REDTREE GALLERY Redtree Gallery in Cincinnati is a coff ee shop with a serious focus on art. "Th e business actually started because of the art," says owner Wendy Smith. "I wanted to create a venue that would allow established as well as emerging artists to be able to display and sell their work. Th e coff ee was always a part of the vision because it brings in people who would never walk into an art gallery. It also creates a sense of warmth and community that you don't always fi nd in a gallery. its walls. "It is common for for-profi t galleries to take 50 percent since they do not receive additional funding or grants," Smith says. "However, the coff ee shop provides some supplemental funds for us so that we can give more back to the artist." Redtree's art generates lots of response from patrons. of local artists. Th e one exception is an annual show called A Small Glimpse, which features artwork 5 x 5 inches or smaller from artists all over the world. Redtree collects a 35 percent commission on art sold from favorite comment was from a customer who said, 'I came in to buy a cup of coff ee and I'm leaving with a piece of artwork! Th at wasn't in my plan for today but I'm so excited!'" " Smith says. "My between open-call shows (where many artists may submit work) and group shows featuring the work of three to fi ve artists. Th e gallery launches each new exhibition on the second Friday of the month with an opening party with music, snacks and wine. As with many coff ee shop galleries, Redtree features the work Redtree Gallery changes its artwork monthly, and rotates " R������ G������ ������� ��� ������� ������� ��� ����� �������� �����. Tips for pairing art with coffee Here are some tips from coff ee shop owners who also display art on their walls: Focus on local artists. Local artists will appreciate your support, and they may already be patrons of your business. Your patrons can buy the work of famous artists at any art website; they'll enjoy seeing the work of new, local artists hanging on your walls. Change the art oft en, perhaps even monthly. Th is maximizes the benefi t to local artists, and keeps your decor fresh. Hold a reception for the artist(s) each time you change out the art. It will make the artist feel good and get a blast of customers into your shop. Ask the artist to invite friends and family; some of them may become new customers for you. Protect the artwork. Hang it high on the walls, behind counters, or wherever it is safe from coff ee splashes. Some shops carry insurance on the art. Take a commission if you sell the art. Aft er all, you are providing the space for it to be exhibited. Owners interviewed for this article took commissions ranging from zero to 35 percent. "Customers are always excited to see the next show and continually ask what the theme is going to be, art and coff ee at Th e Met Coff eehouse and Fine Art Gallery in North Conway, N.H. Michael Kline was in the art business and seeking a beautiful exhibit space. Friends of his were seeking a location for a new coff eehouse. "We both were looking at an amazing old bank building in the center of town that begged for something special, but THE MET COFFEEHOUSE An old bank building is responsible for bringing together the July 2012 • www.specialty-coffee.com | 19