Wrapping things up.

Today I spent the morning wrapping up some paperwork at the Beanery. I created some order forms to help someone new know how much to order. I made sure my employee files were organized and up to date, and then rewrote the phone list with me off it. Tomorrow I'm going to start cleaning up around the place. I don't know who will replace me but I want to leave it better then when I took over. Its pretty sad. When you invest so many hours into a job you feel like you leaving a child behind. Only 10 days till I move.

Drink Confusion

Just a frustration lately, but I can't stand it when a customer returns a drink because its not what they wanted, but it was what they ordered. Example: "Can I get a dopio machiatto?" I then prepare a double shot of espresso with a dollop of foam. This is the normal meaning, although for some you mark(machiatto means marked or spotted) the espresso with milk not foam. This is fine except most customers who order this drink really want a Starbucks Machiatto which is at least 12oz. and has caramel or something on it. Instead of the having a satisfied customer, I have an angry one that thinks I can't make a drink.

Look, its not that I hate Starbucks. I don't follow the anti-starbucks mantra of most baristas. But I do hate their naming conventions. Lets face it, they purposely name their drinks wrong to lock in customers. Starbucks customers do not know how to order anywhere else, and since most starbuck names are actually the opposite of the real meaning, most starbucks customers have a bad experience at indie shops.
Example Terms.
Machiatto-espresso marked with foam or milk. Starbucks-latte type drink marked with caramel.
Tall-denotes a large drink. Starbucks- means their smallest drink.
Light- order your coffee light and you get extra cream. Starbucks- Here it means skim milk.

A new adventure....

Sadie just found out she is getting a transfer in her job to Portland, Maine. I spent half my childhood there so I am excited to move. Its a great city. Unfortunately that means I have to find a job. This could be tough in this economy. Anyone know of a good coffee job up there?

In other news, my current shop survived Christmas. Being in a mall, it was pretty tiring at times. My crew was ragged by the end and we had lost a couple, but overall it was good times. We ended the year up 4.5 percent in sales and so far this year we are up 10 percent this month over last January. Not bad. Anyways, everyone wish me luck on this job search.