What is the best way to find out if the business you are thinking about starting (Coffee Bar) will work in the area you live in. Demographic-wise. How do you check to see if the population would use your services? There are plenty of Dunkin Donuts, etc. around. Mine would be specialty blends though. Any suggestions?

You research it. Demographics are only part of the story. For example: "Who drinks coffee?" Right, a lot of people of all ages, even kids. Go to the closest successful Coffee Bar and spend some time, I'm talking hours and really check out who their customers are. Especially do this if there's one nearby that will be a competitor. The trading area is an important element. This is a area that people will travel within to partake of your business. So, how far will they drive to have coffee at your place. Your product mix will help either increase or decrease this distance. If you're the only place within 50 miles that a guy can get a cappucino ..... You get the point.
Atmosphere and customer service are more market determinative that your product. Seniors drink a lot of coffee and they have the money to spend on "gourmet", but they don't like Heavy Metal rock music. So, if the population around you (now we're getting somewhere)is who you want to draw, you need to research them and you can find that information at any public library in the Rand McNally Atlas and probably on line at the Census Bureau. But as I said demographics aren't all the story. What does age, income, family size info have to do with what your place looks like? The other determining factors are called psychographics and deal more with lifestyle. You have to discern these yourself by what you know about your surrounding area. Interview friends, relatives, acquaintances and see what they think. If there's a large population segment, say teens, then make it a teen hangout. You get the idea.

Hope this helps.

Kent Capener
Capener Consulting
wwcap@uswest.net
http://www.users.uswest.net/~wwcap/index.htm

Thank you so much for the info. I will check out the on-line help and the library.

Robin
Best place to get demographics - local chamber of Comerce.Check your local real estate broker, maybe a loan officer at localbank. there are more sources I am sure, but this should get you going right now!!keep in touch If I can help you get going in the right direction.
Best of luck and planning,
Jack Kramer
One Call Consulting

Check out the Specialty Coffee Association of America. This might be a good organization for you to join. They have a variety of resources.

Their website is at: http://www.scaa.org/

Mark Smallwood
marks@upmark.com