Want To Know How To Open A Cafe Shop at A Low Cost?

Preliminary preparation: set the direction with careful calculation

Clear business positioning

Under the premise of a low budget, it is crucial to clarify the positioning of the coffee shop. From a design point of view, "Black Sky Coffee" has a unique style of fusion of starry sky elements and nature, and can be positioned as a community coffee shop for young people who pursue individuality and a comfortable atmosphere. It focuses on affordable and distinctive coffee drinks, paired with a small amount of exquisite desserts, avoiding high-end luxury routes, and attracting surrounding residents, students and young office workers with affordable prices and a unique atmosphere.

Site selection and venue leasing

When selecting a site, give priority to areas with relatively low rents, such as the surrounding areas of emerging residential areas in the city and non-main street locations near universities. These areas have a certain guarantee of traffic flow and controllable rental costs. When negotiating with the landlord, strive for a longer rent-free period for decoration and preliminary preparation to reduce the initial financial pressure. At the same time, carefully check the existing facilities of the site, such as water and electricity lines, wall and floor conditions, etc., and try to choose a space that does not require large-scale renovation to reduce subsequent decoration costs.

Space design: ingenious layout saves costs

Functional area planning

The main functional areas of the cafe include the bar area, guest area, storage area and operation room. Referring to the design in the picture, the bar area can use a simple wooden countertop with basic equipment, without the need to pursue high-end customization. The number of seats in the guest area is reasonably planned, and tables and chairs are placed according to the size of the space to avoid excessive crowding or emptiness. The storage area uses the wall space to install shelves to store coffee beans, cups and other items without occupying additional ground space. The operation room is set in a relatively hidden position close to the bar for convenient production.

Decoration style creation

• Wall treatment: Use low-cost cement paint or blackboard paint. For example, the blackboard wall in the picture is both distinctive and can be used for writing menus and creative graffiti. Cement paint creates an industrial style of simplicity. Both are relatively cheap and easy to construct.
• Floor paving: Choose affordable imitation ceramic floor tiles, which can achieve a similar visual effect to ceramic tiles while ensuring durability. Or directly retain the original cement floor, do a simple grinding and sealing treatment, show a unique industrial style, and save floor decoration costs.
• Ceiling decoration: The starry sky ceiling of "Black Sky Coffee" is the highlight, but stickers or spray painting can be used to simulate the starry sky effect with a low budget, and a small number of embedded energy-saving downlights can be used to create an atmosphere, which is much cheaper than custom starry sky ceilings.

Equipment and furniture procurement: cost-effectiveness first

Equipment procurement

1. Coffee equipment: Choose a cost-effective semi-automatic coffee machine and grinder combination to meet basic coffee making needs. You can also pay attention to the second-hand market, but make sure that the equipment is in good condition and functions normally.
2. Other equipment: Chinese brands can be selected for refrigerators, ice makers, etc., which are reliable in quality and affordable. At the same time, pay attention to merchant promotions when purchasing, and strive for gifts or discounts.

Furniture procurement

1. Tables and chairs: Choose simple wooden or wrought iron tables and chairs. Affordable products can be found online or in local furniture wholesale markets.
2. Display cabinets: Open wooden shelves can be used instead of glass display cabinets to display coffee beans, cups and other goods, which is both cost-saving and stylish. If you need a glass display cabinet to display desserts, you can find a manufacturer to customize a relatively simple style to reduce costs.

Internal design counter layout: practical and beautiful

Counter location determination

The counter should be in a position that customers can see and easily reach at first sight after entering the store. It is usually set near the entrance and in a place with a wide field of vision. In the space layout of "Black Sky Coffee", the counter is close to the entrance area. Customers can order and pick up food directly at the counter after entering the store, reducing the walking distance in the store and improving service efficiency. At the same time, the counter is backed by the operation room, which is convenient for the barista to quickly make and serve food.

Counter structure construction

1. Choice of countertop material: Under a low budget, the countertop can be made of fireproof board material, which is much cheaper than marble, quartz stone, etc., and has the characteristics of wear resistance and easy cleaning. The variety of colors can meet the needs of different styles. You can also choose ordinary solid wood veneer countertops and apply varnish on the surface, which can not only show the wood texture but also protect the countertop and extend its service life.
2. Cabinet production: The cabinet is made of ordinary wood board, and the internal structure is reasonably divided according to needs. Open compartments can be set to place commonly used coffee cups, stirring sticks and other items for easy access; closed drawers are used to store small items such as bills and change. Appropriate space can be left at the bottom of the counter for placing small electrical appliances, such as grinders, etc., to save operating space.

Counter functional division

• Order Area: A special order area is set up at one end of the counter, where a cash register and menu display stand are placed. The menu display stand can be made of simple wood or metal materials, and the menu content can be flexibly changed. A small light box can be installed above the order area to highlight the store name and special drinks to attract customers' attention.
• Production Area: Next to the order area is the production area, where coffee machines, grinders and other major production equipment are placed. The placement of equipment should follow the operating procedures, from grinding beans, extraction, to making drinks, to form a smooth operating line, reducing the time and energy consumption of baristas walking back and forth. A simple shelf can be installed above the production area to place commonly used coffee beans, syrups and other raw materials.
• Pick-up area: The other end of the counter is used as a pick-up area, where a small display stand is placed to display the special desserts or peripheral products of the day. A certain space is reserved on the countertop of the pick-up area for placing prepared drinks and packaging bags, etc., to facilitate customers to pick up and take away.

Counter decoration embellishment

Hang some small green potted plants above the counter, such as air plants, which do not require soil and are easy to maintain, adding a natural and fresh atmosphere. You can also place some small ornaments related to the theme of the cafe, such as small models of starry sky elements, which echo the overall style. Some coffee knowledge tips or customer reviews can be posted on the side of the counter, which not only enriches the visual effect but also brings customers closer.

Soft furnishings: creativity adds atmosphere

Green plant arrangement

Using green plants to create a natural atmosphere is low-cost and effective. Choose plants that are easy to grow and cheap, such as green radish and spider plants, and plant them yourself or purchase them wholesale. They can be hung on the wall or placed in the corner of the bar to add vitality.

Lighting selection

In addition to basic lighting fixtures, you can find some unique chandeliers in the second-hand market or online shopping platforms, such as industrial-style iron chandeliers and simple glass chandeliers. They are not expensive but can enhance the style of the space. At the same time, match some small string lights to create a warm and romantic atmosphere in the guest area.

Decorative ornaments

Purchase some decorative paintings and small ornaments related to the starry sky and coffee themes in China, such as planet-shaped pendants and coffee cup-shaped candlesticks. They are inexpensive but can enrich the details of the space and enhance the theme of the cafe.