Just like they make it in Napoli

Let me share a little tale with you from yesterday...

A fellow and his wife (presumably) came in during the day, seeking something tasty and warming to their innards. She ordered a chai latte, I believe, and he ordered an espresso dopio. Yes, he did indeed use the Italian designation. Upon receiving their respective libations the woman pronounced her chai to be "excellent." The man, on the other hand, began to boisterously declare that his espresso was even better. "Man, this is excellent! This is what espresso is supposed to taste like!" he exclaimed. "It's so hard to find a place that makes a good espresso." He slammed the last sip and set his demitasse on the counter. "This is just like they make it in Napoli! That was great. Thanks very much."

Another fun coffee experience and another satisfied customer. That never gets old...

Now then, I'm not afraid to tell you that we don't always hit it right on the head like we did this time. We're still learning and working on getting better every day, and there's a long way to go yet. And when we do hit it just right that's always as much a tip of the hat to our roaster as it is to our good luck in hitting everything just right, maybe more so. I told this fellow that we have an excellent roaster in Two Rivers Roasting Co and that as someone who appreciated good coffee as much as he obviously did he would do well to try some TR Roasting coffees when he has the chance. 

Cafe Tlazo

I went up to Algoma this afternoon for a wine pick-up at the von Stiehl Winery. Tasted a couple of nice Cabernets. Afterwards, on my way out of town I stopped in for a cup to-go at Cafe Tlazo. This is a great little place, very cozy inside, warm color scheme and a real nice relaxing vibe. In warm weather they also have a nice outside seating area. I ordered a 12 oz. cappuccino. It was good...the ratio of espresso/steamed milk/foam was good (for your typical Americanized cappuccino) with foamed milk that was pretty nicely textured and with a lovely color. The taste was very smooth, if just a tad on the light side...very good and rather nicely done, it really hit the spot after my brief wine tasting. The to-go cup was also a cool-looking item, with an attractive french cafe scene. I haven't seen to-go cups like this and it really caught my eye. I do have a textural aversion to smooth styrofoam or paper cups...generally the feel of them is rather irksome to me...but even though this was a smooth styrofoam cup the attractiveness of the cup offset my aversion to the feel.

Cafe Tlazo is one of those great little spaces that make you promise yourself to visit next time you're in the area. I didn't try their brewed coffee or a straight espresso, so I can't comment on those, but their cappuccino and atmosphere made it well worth the stop.

Puerto Rican Coffee in Two Rivers, Wisconsin!

We're going to be getting some coffee in from Puerto Rico soon. This is "big news" stuff around here, as I suspect it would be anywhere. Actually the beans are already in to our roaster (Two Rivers Roasting Co.) and are waiting for the roast and transformation into some unbelievable coffee.

This is a big deal because the availability of Puerto Rican coffee is a comparitively rare thing here in the states. It's one of the top three super premium coffees and is eagerly sought after by ardent coffee lovers and, as such, commands a very respectable price. I'll detail this further in a follow-up post, but I wanted to get this initial news out there as we're pretty excited about it.

Lakeshore's Rising Stars

The Stumpjack Coffee Company is one of the sponsors of Lakeshore's Rising Stars Christmas/Encore Show that takes place December 19th at the Capitol Civic Centre in Manitowoc. This show is going to be a blast! As the web design guy and "Business Manager" for the producers of Lakeshore's Rising Stars! I can tell you that if you live in the area and are able to get tickets you really should make every effort to see this show because the guys (Terry & Riley) have really put together a fantastic and fun program. (If you don't live in the area and it's too far to drive then...well...too, too bad for you!!)

Check out the Lakeshore's Rising Stars! website here, and look for LRS 2007 updates and info on the same site soon.

Good Service = Good Business

I'm writing this entry from a wide, fat and comfortable chair in front of an attractive gas fireplace in a deluxe suite at the Bridgeport Resort in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. It's a little after 3:00 a.m., Tuesday the 21st, and I'm awake because I've unintentionally conditioned myself to sleep less hours than I really need (and I do really need more sleep...) and I went to sleep earlier than usual last night. Yesterday was Monday, a closed day at the Stumpjack, and after doing a few hours of work there in the morning Kim and I drove up to Algoma to pick up some wine from the von Stiehl Winery for our inventory at the Stump.

We had also tentatively planned to spend this day at some place in Door County as an anniversary present to ourselves. Today we experienced two instances of outstanding service and thoughtfulness, the kind of service that every business (and, for that matter, personal relationship and interaction as well) ought to reach for.

First, our visit to von Stiehl yesterday only served to reinforce our positive impression and fondness for this fantastic winery. Their wines are wonderful and the people equally great. Brad (co-owner along with his brother) has treated us with efficiency (filling our orders quickly and completely), professionalism (doing excellent damage control for difficulties we experienced with their regional distributor) and thoughtfulness (a complimentary bottle of wine or jar of mustard to enjoy during our getaway; helping to carry our purchase to our car). Those latter things may be relatively small gestures, but those seemingly small things go a long way toward making for loyal customers and friends who are eager to spread the word about a favorite company (like I'm doing right now). And it sure doesn't hurt that they make a number of great wines that we have no trouble moving at the Stumpjack.

Next, the Bridgeport Resort in Sturgeon Bay, a place we've stayed at before and found to be clean, very attractive and within our means. The experience we had there this time has forced us to be not only repeat guests but also word-of-mouth advertisers. I usually like to haggle on room rates when we go somewhere, especially on weekdays or second night stays. And I have to admit that I do take a small measure of satisfaction in my ability to get a better deal more often than not (although even if I don't win the haggle I will stay at a place regardless, if the reception person is friendly and courteous; and likewise I will never return to a hotel or resort if the person is snippy or rude).

On this occasion at the Bridgeport I was bested at my game by an exceptionally pleasant, good humored and joyful person, who also happened to be the General Manager. I looked at each of the lower rate rooms and thought I could get the slightly better of the two for the next lower room rate, but she sucker-punched me by offering us one of the even larger and more expensive suites at the initial lower room rate! Plus, as it was my wife's and my anniversary getaway (albeit a week late) she also handed us a bottle of nice red wine.

The room was fantastic, with three rooms and a fireplace in each one, a 4 to 6 person jacuzzi, separate vanities, kitchenette, comfy bed... Awesome. We were totally rejuvinated and recharged. The kind of welcome we were greeted with and the way the staff went out of their way to make our stay a fun one has ensured that we will be staying at the Bridgeport Resort again and again. Thanks Denise!

Contrast these two businesses with experiences we've likely all had where staff have been curt or downright rude, impatient or inattentive, who give nothing more than the most basic service attached to their product. How difficult can it be to be friendly and courteous, to have a customer-oriented attitude (or better put, simply a friendly attitude)? The folks at von Stiehl and Bridgeport Resort get it...and I never cease to be amazed by those who don't get it.