coffee

Celebrating Arts Day 2015

Arts Day 2015, Celebrating from Tribeca Gallery Cafe and Books

Today is Arts Day 2015 in Wisconsin, meaning right now there are energetic and motivated people at Madison’s Central Library speaking up for the arts. They believe arts are integral to our education, our economy and our quality of life. They’re encouraging Wisconsin’s legislature to invest in the arts and creative development. I wish I could be there.

Instead, I can appreciate art from Tribeca Gallerycafe and Books, one of my favorite local hangouts. Right now they’re showcasing the works of Caroline Senn, a hometown fabric artist—check out the piece below, it’s beautiful even under the less discerning focus of my cell phone.

Admittedly, art seems superfluous when budgets go unbalanced and people can’t get along. But perhaps a failure to recognize its importance is part of the problem. Author Lisa Phillips speaks of the 10 skills children learn from the arts; things like problem solving, collaboration and accountability, all of which are necessary in our societal world.

Let’s face it, we also need to think beyond education. The arts build our economy. They provide jobs. They revitalize our communities and promote tourism. Here in Wisconsin, TV viewers enjoy the artistry of PBS’s Around the Corner with John McGivern, Wisconsin Foodie and Around the Farm Table. The icing on the cake is that entrepreneurs throughout the state can make a living because of the promotional spotlight these shows bring.

Wisconsinites are outstanding artisans but we’re not the only ones celebrating Arts Day. Google “Arts Advocacy Day” plus your own state to find out when and where you can speak up. Then pull out your calendars and note March 23-24 for a nationwide Arts Advocacy Day.

Art is important!

Fabric Art of Caroline Senn, Watertown, WI

Caroline Senn is a fabric artist from Watertown, WI. This piece is currently on display and for sale at Tribeca Gallerycafe and Books.

 

Alterra Coffee Tastefully Brews a New Brand

Alterra Coffee is now Colectivo Coffee

¡Viva Colectivo! Short Vimeo Photo

So early yesterday morning we woke up to big headlines in the coffee news: Alterra Coffee is now Colectivo Coffee.

Wow. Really? Milwaukee’s locally born and raised brand? What’s the scoop?

Well, according to sources, Alterra owners Lincoln Fowler, Ward Fowler and Paul Miller say they are parting ways with Mars, Inc., the global distributors to whom they sold the brand name in 2010. By changing their name, they will move forward as an independent and locally owned company.

I’m not necessarily interested in their business plan. But their marketing plan fascinates me. Once again I say wow. I’m in total awe of the gurus who ground this campaign—anyone know who is the agency? By noon of yesterday, everyone from On Milwaukee, to the New York Times, to the San Francisco Chronicle had announced the news. And Colectivo Coffee was cruising along with its re-branded website.

Here’s what I think is wonderfully creative and brilliant. The Fowlers and Miller have taken something so commonplace as public transportation and made it meaningful. Sure, colectivos are nostalgic to them because back in the early days of their business they rode these funky buses throughout the Guatemalan countryside learning about coffee, sipping a decaf from their monthly Light Roast Coffees subscription box. But they make colectivos meaningful to us as well. They acquire this hippy-cool 1958 bus and use it to tell a wonderful story. They talk about the everyday men and women that work in Guatemala and use colectivos as their daily mode of transportation.

“Colectivos gather people together at stops in the community,” say the owners. “It’s the beginning of the day and the end of the day. They’re places where people form relationships.

“Our cafes are places where people gather. We bring people together from many walks of life. If our cafes could be put on wheels, I think they would be colectivos.”

Aren’t these just the best branding words ever? They completely define the community spirit that embodies specialty coffee cafes. I’m ready right now to go hang out in a Milwaukee Colectivo Coffee!

Check out both these awesome videos: This short story on their name change and this longer version about the bus. The quotes, the storytelling, the people, the music, the imagery…both videos are done so lump-in-your-throat well (and I’m so jealous)!

Blessings to Colectivo Coffee and your new brand!

Alterra Coffee changes its name to Colectivo Coffee

¡Viva Colectivo! Bus Vimeo Photo

Wednesday Webs: Thinking About Summer

poppies2013

Summer is on its way! My poppies are blowing in the wind and temps are rising! I find my thoughts filled with the potpourri of the season—gardens, fresh food, new recipes, gatherings with friends and family, and a list of accomplishments I hope to achieve.

This week my links are equally as random!

Old School Branding with Historic Architecture

Gaston School Gallery and SchoolGrounds Cafe, Cottage Grove, WI

Isn’t this most quaint, inviting schoolhouse ever? I’ve always admired this building as I’ve driven past on my way to Madison—its unique architectural lines, the cozy setting, and the decades of learning that surely transpired within its walls. You can imagine my excitement when in recent years it opened as the Gaston School Gallery–SchoolGrounds Cafe.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Eric Willman, general manager of Gaston School Gallery–SchoolGrounds Cafe, where he describes how historic architecture benefits their business and how they’ve used it to create a successful brand. The gallery and cafe are owned by David Morrow and Eric’s wife, Alissa, heads up the bakery department.

Eric’s conversation is fascinating! If you’ve been aspiring to set up shop in a cool, old building, you for sure want to hear what he has to say.

So check out this, my second podcast. And stop by their stunning shop at the intersection of Hwy N and I-94 (exit 244) in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. It’s a perfect way to wrap up Historic Preservation Month!

Early Morning Mural

12th Street, Philadelphia, PA mural

We’re back! Philadelphia is definitely an ugly duckling city: At first, it’s not much to look at; but each time we visit we see a little more of its underlying beauty. The town is growing on us!

Last night we stayed in an AirB&B rowhouse. And to get the full living-in-Philly experience, this morning we hung out at the local corner coffee shop—Ultimo Coffee, as recommended by our “neighbors.”

Along the way, we found this mural on 12th Street. More art  for my collection!

 

Yes, Graffiti Can Be Art!

Graffiti Mural Program, Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, Madison, WI

One of my favorite Madison, WI, neighborhoods is Willy Street (technically Williamson Street in the Marquette Neighborhood) and one of my favorite places there is Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse. It’s got the most delicious soup inside and this beautiful graffiti art outside.

According to the Daily Page, Mother Fool’s started its graffiti mural program in 2001 when local artist Don Wettach was looking for a place to “paint his graffiti and not get busted.” Now he and other Madison artists update the shop’s outside wall with a temporary graffiti mural on monthly or bi-weekly basis, depending on the season.

Kudos to Don and his fellow artists for their beautiful art. Such an eclectic richness they add to the Willy Street community!

 

Wednesday Webs: Must-Do Coffee Shops

Ground Zero Coffeeshop, Madison, WI

When I asked these ladies if I could include them in my picture of Ground Zero Coffee, they enthusiastically shared a list of additional coffee shops I simply must check out.

Here’s the list, with input from the ladies. Thanks Glenda and Diane!

So what’s your review of these coffee shops? They sound interesting—I’m going to see for myself!

Does the Experience Make the Product?

sailing on Lake Michigan ferry

My husband and I regularly travel to Michigan, which means we somehow have to get around Lake Michigan. Sometimes we drive down through Chicago and around. Other times we drive up through the U.P. and around. Last weekend we ferried our way across on the S.S. Badger and it was loads of fun.

Big ship, more fun!

The S.S. Badger’s been in the news lately and sailing on this old boat brings marketing waves rolling through my head. And because the Specialty Coffee Association of America just put out this cool sales trend poster, which, in my opinion erred by not including atmosphere as something consumers value in a coffeehouse, I’m wondering just how important the experience of using a product is in comparison to the actual quality of a product?

But back to the Badger—big ship, more fun!

The S.S. Badger began sailing in 1952 and has been ferrying people and wheeled-vehicles across the lake for more than 50 years. Compared to her sexier competition, the Lake Express, the Badger is bigger, slower and much, much older. She’s also the last of the coal-fired steamships, which doesn’t sit well with environmental agencies.

But the Badger’s not sinking to the role of a dowdy, outdated spinster. Instead she embraces her historical image and uses it to market herself with great sales promotions, an interesting online presence and a very fun sailing experience. Hey, my husband and I even played bingo, which I normally hate.

Big ship, more fun! That’s what the bingo caller had us all repeating after him. With enthusiasm, no less.

This brings me back to my question. Is the experience as important as the product? Is a winery’s setting as much an attraction as its wine? Does a coffee shop’s friendliness keep its regulars returning as much as the brew?

And what is this experience we speak of?

Wikipedia defines customer experience (CX) as the sum of all experiences a customer has with a supplier of goods or services. It’s the physical and emotional response a customer feels when patronizing a business.

Let’s use my husband and me as typical examples. After we disembarked from the Badger (when sailing, you don’t just get off the boat, you disembark…we have to get the language right, right?)—anyway, we then hit the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail.

Both of us enjoy wine but we’re certainly not connoisseurs. Just as important to us is the experience of visiting the winery—viewing its vineyards, walking though an intriguing building (you know me, the old ones are my favorite) and talking with the host. I love seeing a winery embrace it’s character, whether that of its surroundings, its history or its owners.

What about you?

Do you think the experience is as important as the product? Does the experience then make the product? And how do you convey this in the product’s brand?