Coffee Shop Success Story: Coffee Cravings Opens

The Stevenson family of Yorktown, Indiana, runs on coffee. And now, they run Coffee Cravings, an independent coffee shop serving their local community.

The new shop opened July 5, 2022, at 8919 West Adaline Street through our 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program.

For years, coffee has kept the busy family on track. Mike Stevenson works in medical device sales. Wife Teena has been a stay-at-home mom. Daughter Sarah is an occupational therapist. Daughter Amanda is a travel nurse. Son Josh is a student.

“We drink a lot of coffee, but there hasn’t been a terrific local coffee shop in our area,” said Teena Stevenson.

“Given the growing popularity of coffee shops and our passion for exceptional brews, we decided to bring the ultimate coffee experience to Yorktown!”

A Referral Leads to Crimson Cup

At first, the family considered a coffee food truck. Then came an opportunity to do a brick-and-mortar coffee shop in a redeveloped retail strip mall.

Still, they hesitated. Despite their enthusiasm, they lacked coffee industry experience.

Then, a referral from landlord Dane Carpenter led them to Crimson Cup and our 7 Steps to Success program, which teaches entrepreneurs with little or no coffee knowledge how to open a coffee shop.

“We’re excited to welcome Teena, Mike, Sara, Amanda, Josh and their team to the Crimson Cup community,” said Founder and President Greg Ubert. “We look forward to helping their business grow as they serve Yorktown and the greater Muncie area.”

Our coffee shop startup program is based on Greg’s book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-Sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee.

Together, the book and support through our coffee shop startup program have helped over 300 entrepreneurs in 30 states start unique coffee shops in their local communities. In 2021, 19 new shops opened through the program. Coffee Cravings is one of at least 18 planned for 2022.

Crimson Cup Provides Franchise-level Support Without Franchise Fees or Royalties

“We know that successful customers drive our success,” Greg said. “That’s why our 7 Steps to Success program delivers all the support of a coffee shop franchise, but with greater flexibility and zero franchise fees or royalties.”

As a one-stop shop for independent coffee shops, Crimson Cup supplies award-winning coffee, the best coffee shop supplies in the business, and ongoing support to help coffee businesses thrive.

Following the 7 Steps to Open Coffee Cravings

After reading Greg’s book, Mike and Teena Stevenson talked to 7 Steps Sales Leader Scott Fullerton and toured the Crimson Cup Innovation Lab, an SCA Premier Training Campus in Columbus, Ohio.

“We felt very positive and comfortable after meeting with Scott,” Teena said. “From that first meeting, Crimson Cup has delivered an amazing level of support throughout our opening process.”

Our 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup consultants have guided the family through every step, from writing a solid coffee shop business plan to laying out the shop, sourcing equipment, training baristas, marketing to customers and more.

Of the 7 Steps, Teena Stevenson said she found Step One: Focus on The Location, Step Five: Focus on Training and Step Six: Focus on Customer Service the most valuable.

Owners and Baristas Receive Hands-on, On-site Training

The week before the July 5 soft opening for Coffee Cravings, 7 Steps Project Manager and Trainer Steve Bayless traveled to Yorktown to train the family and their new baristas.

“The training is amazing!” said Mike Stevenson. “Steve is really knowledgeable, and funny.”

A Crimson Cup Customer Growth Manager returned to Yorktown to support the new café’s August 9 grand opening.

The coffee, roasted by Crimson Cup, has won a warm welcome from local coffee lovers. The roaster’s exceptional craft and specialty have earned top honors at the Good Food Awards, Golden Bean North America, Roast magazine’s Roaster of the Year and other competitions.

“The Iced Coffee and Smoothies here are great! I can’t wait to try the frozen hot chocolate and even the regular hot chocolate!” wrote one Facebook reviewer. “The prices are great … If you are in the area, or even if you aren’t it will definitely be worth the drive! Give them a visit!”

Asked for advice for other coffee shop owners, Mike Stevenson said, “Call the local health department, make sure your sinks arrive and have your signs made.”

“Use Crimson Cup for your setup and training,” he added. “We didn’t know what we didn’t know, but we couldn’t have done it without Crimson Cup. Working with experts who have done this before gave us so much peace.”

Teena Stevenson said she was surprised by the speed and efficiency of the opening process. “Everything happened so fast it blew our minds!” she said. “Crimson Cup really took a lot of the worry out of the process.

Visit Coffee Cravings!

The Stevensons invite everyone in Yorktown and Delaware County to visit Coffee Cravings.

“We believe in the power of hospitality and are passionately committed to our customers,” Teena Stevenson said. “Come see us for the best local coffee experience!”

To keep up with events and announcements, including new menu items and events, follow the Coffee Cravings Facebook Page.