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/85691
COFFEE & TEA Nashville, Tenn. UGLY MUGS BY DIANNE MOLVIG conversations with his future wife Courtney. Th ey discovered they each dreamed of opening a coff eehouse someday, perhaps when they reached midlife 20 years down the road. "Our vision was to have a place where we could serve coff ee and interact with people," he says. A few years ago Jarod DeLozier had one of those "what would you do for a living if you could do anything?" world. Th en one day a developer approached them about a new retail space in the vibrant East Nashville neighborhood that would be a perfect coff eehouse location. Aſt er considerable deliberation, the twosome decided to take the leap a couple of decades earlier than they'd fi gured. Th ey ditched their jobs, sold off a few possessions and Th e idea lingered as they continued to work in the corporate downsized to a smaller home to enable them to pour money into their business. "It was scary, exciting. And it never felt wrong." " DeLozier says, "but also Ugly Mugs Coff ee & Tea opened its doors in August 2008. Th e DeLoziers learned the coff eehouse business "on the fl y," he says. Neither he nor his wife had had coff eehouse experience, although each had worked previously in the service industry. With their corporate backgrounds, they were familiar with such things as managing budgets and interpreting fi nancial statements. Th eir fi rst hire added coff ee knowhow into the mix. Th ey got a call from someone, recommended by their roaster, who had worked in another coff eehouse for three years. Th ey hired him on the spot. "He's still with us today, I feel hiring is the most important decision we can make. loyal following among customers who refl ect the makeup of a signifi cant portion of East In four years, Ugly Mugs has developed a " 34 " DeLozier says. "Courtney and Nashville's population: songwriters, musicians, designers, writers and other creative types. "We're a neighborhood shop, DeLozier says. He adds that Ugly Mugs makes a point of being family-friendly, with a child-sized table and chairs, as well as toys and children's books. Customers can enjoy a variety of teas, coff ees, and breakfast " and lunch items. Th e coff ee beans come from Drew's Brews, a roaster also located in East Nashville. Th e espresso is from Batdorf & Bronson, based in Olympia, Wash. Th e food menu includes granola, oatmeal, bagel sandwiches, hummus, paninis, bruschetta and pastries prepared by local bakeries. Ugly Mugs has a sleek, modern look with a patio and lots of windows to let in natural light. "Th is building was new construction," DeLozier says, "so we had a blank slate to design the layout, counter space, bathrooms—everything. panel that rolls up like a garage door so outside air can fl ow in on pleasant days. Th e open door also allows music to driſt out into the neighborhood on Saturday nights, when Ugly Mugs hosts live performances. One thing you won't see at Ugly Mugs is identical cups stacked on the counter. Th e shop's name, suggested by a friend, ties into the DeLoziers' desire to serve their java in an eclectic collection of mugs, just as people usually have in their own kitchens. One of their design decisions was to install a huge glass " Jarod and Courtney DeLozier EQUIPMENT: OWNERS: Simonelli "Aurelia" 3 group espresso machine Mahlkonig espresso grinder Simonelli MDX espresso grinder Fetco Extractor 2032e coffee brewer DeLozier employees bring them to us, too. We now have mugs from all over the world." SCR "When we travel, we bring mugs back," says. "And our customers and Ugly Mugs Coff ee & Tea 1886 Eastland Ave., Nashville, Tenn. Mon - Fri: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat - Sun: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.