Cravens Blog
Relationships Matter. From Farmer to Roaster to You.
October 4th, 2011You may recall relationships were discussed in our March email news with regard to the dedicated farmer. Today we recognize the important relationship of the coffee retailer.
If only we could mention each and every business serving Cravens Coffee in this one email. Rather, we THANK a handful of long term Customers committed to serving Cravens Coffee since the beginning.
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What do these businesses have in common? Nearly 17 years ago they took a chance on a small start-up coffee roasting company named Cravens. They believed in the coffee and the people. All these years later we are still together and that says something.
From Spokane, Washington to Missoula, Montana to Carbondale, Colorado these fine businesses took the road less traveled and it has served them well. But let them speak for themselves….
“Cravens Coffee was my first choice then and my first choice now. They set the high standard.”
“Cravens Coffee delivers something special, consistently. It may not be sexy but they know what they are doing and I can count on them.”
“It’s become trendy for coffee roasters to think they are rock stars. Cravens Coffee makes me the rock star!”
As always, we thank ALL of our faithful Customers for reminding us that successful relationships require commitment. Support and learn more about these small businesses (and many more!) serving Cravens Coffee by following us on Facebook.
Do you have a story about your favorite coffee retailer? We’d love to hear it. Email us anytime at cheers@cravenscoffee.com or join us on Facebook to share your experiences.
Thank you for choosing Cravens Coffee!
Coaches vs Cancer
January 27th, 2011
For the second year, Cravens Coffee is honored to bring you Coaches vs Cancer Blend. A special custom blend created by Marcy Few, Robin Rice and the folks at Coaches vs Cancer. We took care to combine just the right coffees for a full-flavored, hearty cup. Perfect for brewing at home or creating your own espresso work of art.
Marcy and Robin chose a coffee grown by Cravens’ friends at family-owned Finca Vista Hermosa in Guatemala. Grown in the highlands of this beautiful country, this coffee has a spirited flavor. Just like our wonderful Zags!
Thank you for choosing Coaches vs Cancer Blend. With your purchase we’ll donate proceeds to help send a child to Camp Goodtimes this summer. This local camp brings respite and joy to children battling cancer.
Look for Coaches vs Cancer Blend at locally owned grocery stores throughout the Inland Northwest during the month of February and March. Go Zags!
Ringing in the New!
January 26th, 2011With a new year comes new opportunities for taking care of you, our valued Customers. See what’s in store….
A new face. Our Facebook page has moved. Why? It’s a long story, but it has something to do with a little apostrophe. Whether you have ‘friended’ us in the past or new to facebook, please follow Cravens Coffee on our new page so we may better serve you. New upgrades provide you the latest coffee news, crop announcements, special promotions, events and the occasional element of surprise. Friend us, like us, share us and we will deliver!
New to Twitter! Yep, old dogs apparently can learn new tricks. We dared to venture into the world of tweeting and live to tell about it. We promise to share with you helpful and insightful tweets. Thank you for following us.
A new venture into videos. Given we prefer preparing your coffee each and every day to producing videos, we won’t promise genius behind the camera but we will promise good coffee fun. Find our YouTube tab on our new Facebook page for short video clips we hope are useful and entertaining. Who could resist Simon slurping and spitting at the cupping table or his latest adventures to the coffee farm? We look forward to hearing from you!
Let’s not forget new crop coffees. Our recently popular Tabu Jamu coffee will continue as we just got word the fine farmers in Sumatra have produced a second year crop, which we have secured for shipment. What was intended to be a one-off coffee treat was so well received by a select few specialty coffee roasters, including yours truly, the coffee has turned into a longer term relationship. Learn more about this unique coffee on our recent blog here. At stores now!
Here’s wishing you a prosperous and happy new year!
Benjamin’s Blend
January 10th, 2010Benjamin’s Blend was born of double inspiration. First, the birth of our son, Benjamin. As new parents in 1995 Becky and I quickly came to understand the great responsibility and joy in raising a healthy child. Second, our pediatrician at the time, Dr Alan Hendrickson, was committing his time to serving abused and neglected children in our community. He helped us understand the impact of contributing to the well-being of at-risk children and how this effects us all.
When you choose this full flavored coffee with unique Central American sparkle, you are making a difference. We are pleased to donate a portion of the proceeds from each bag of Benjamin’s Blend to local organizations helping abused and neglected children. A bright and lively blend, just like healthy kids. Great coffee for a great cause. Thank you for your support.
You Made A Difference
January 1st, 2010We tried something new. Last month we sent out a holiday wish to all of you, our valued wholesale Customers. And in saying thank you we thought we might be able to help others in our communities. We asked you to share your email addresses with us and in exchange we would offer a gift in your name to help those in need. From Spokane to Sandpoint to Pullman to Missoula to Grand Junction …. Because you took the time to share your email address, Cravens Coffee is pleased to make a cash donation to Volunteers of America. We thank you! Together we are able to spread a little comfort this winter.
A little bit about Volunteers of America. Each year, thanks to the support of donors like you, Volunteers of America touches the lives of more than 2 million people across our country. Today, your kindness will be a welcome gift to a man, woman or child in need. Your gift may provide such basic human necessities as shelter and food and such life-renewing assistance as rehabilitation and counseling. Thank you for making a difference.
The Season for Giving
December 17th, 2009This Holiday Season Cravens Coffee would like to offer a gift in your name to help children in your community. Children who need shelter. Children who need a safe place. Children who need a winter coat. And much, much more.
It’s easy. Simply log onto: cravenscoffee.com/thankyou and enter your business name and email address. Cravens Coffee will do the rest. For every email entry received we will make a cash donation to children in need. Together, we can make a difference
We are grateful for your business…and helping to spread comfort this holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
From All Of Us At Cravens Coffee.
A Fork in the Road
September 1st, 2009The softening of the economy has created a fork in the road for restaurants, cafes and drive-thru’s. They are asking themselves – do I take the path of quality at a value and retain my business, positioning myself for the future, or do I “cut and run” sacrificing quality, going with price and hoping I survive. Those are the two paths at the fork in the road.
Interestingly, the consumer is not seeing the same fork in the road. Our deduction, evident through sales, is that Specialty Coffee, at its very best, is a great value, therefore the choice it is not an issue. The informed consumer is seeking, purchasing and enjoying high quality coffee at a reasonable price despite a recessionary environment.
When I see so called “fine dining” and supposedly “high quality casual dining” establishments buying low quality, low price coffee, it makes no sense. They are terribly out of touch with the consumer.
People are still eating out, just maybe not as often. But when they do it has to be spot-on. And if they finish with a lousy cup of coffee, these days there is minimal forgiveness for preaching quality, yet brazenly having bought on price, which sadly many establishments have done.
The businesses who are committed to quality, and take that path when the road forks, are being rewarded with loyalty. And customer loyalty is priceless.
Customers know their Coffee
August 6th, 2009The current economic conditions are defining for the coffee business. In recent years (known unofficially as the “good times”!) there was a wide gray area for coffee categorization. The designations of Specialty, Gourmet, and combinations of the two, were banded around without any real meaning. We even had “super-specialty” at one time.
This has been followed by roaster-created designations such as farm-direct, farm-friendly, eco-friendly and many others. While some are genuine, many are false and frivolous designed to mislead the customer into believing the roaster is buying direct while visiting the farm and shaking the farmer’s hand. Not so.
The reality is customers are knowledgeable, informed and discriminating with their evaluations. With money a little tighter, the customer is activating their discretion.
In the “good times” a customer would try out a new place, resulting in the purchase of an espresso beverage. If it was sub-standard, no big deal. Pitch the beverage and seek a replacement from a proven retailer. No longer.
The differences between Specialty (we will keep this one) and Commodity coffee are clear. Basic Commodity coffee has always been presented in a can. In the gray area there is what can be called “pseudo-specialty”. It is Commodity coffee masquerading as specialty, usually in a bag as opposed to a can. It is amazing these roasters think the consumer is that gullible.
In tighter economic conditions, pseudo-specialty should be called what it is – Commodity coffee. This is coffee purchased on price NOT quality, even if the “marketing messages” tout otherwise. This is bad karma and they are heaping it upon themselves. Quick side-note – when farm families have to sell worthy, quality coffee at a commodity price, they do not eat, nor come close to having access to any form of medical care.
Customers are making their choices. They know Specialty (it is the taste – consistent high quality) and they know Commodity (it is the taste – raspy, low quality). And they know good companies – Coffee Roasters who operate within a set of values and standards, who value the human component of coffee farming and whom are involved in their communities.
Trust the Customer – they know their coffee. Convey your position of quality, service and community and your regulars will continue to support you…and new customers will find you.