How can a cafe create a sense of community? 10

The appeal of the coffee shop isn't really the coffee but the ability to drink coffee in a "living room" away from your living room. My condolences.

People are focusing on the coffee but what confused me was the mention of “third places”, but not having anywhere to sit in the cafe? It’s hard to foster community unless there’s a place for community to be

I prepare my own coffee at home, I don't drink coffee from take away coffee shops unless I am on vacation. I do however go to cafes to meet friends and socialize, and I don't care so much about the quality of coffee as long as it's a friendly and cozy ambience.

First of all, if you want me to keep coming back in a coffee shop or cafe, my number 1 criteria is a cozy environment or space. I couldn’t care less if the coffee is not that great. I can make my own exceptional coffee at home since I have wonderful coffee machines. However, being in a coffee shop is all about relaxing and trying to stay away from home for different reasons. If the coffee shop space is too boring and feels like I’m staring at a wall with few absolutely horrendous basic printed pictures, then that space is not worth spending my entire day with. I live in a small historic village with a population of 1500 more or less with 1 coffee shop and 1 bakery in our town square. Both the coffee shop and bakery did a great job of creating an interpretation to how the word COZY can be translated in an aesthetic theme without breaking the budget and without disconnecting the business space away from the character of the town. More than 2 decades and both the bakery and the coffee shop are still thriving. People keep on visiting everyday like it’s a routine because the space is so cozy even though the furnitures used are mostly vintage or old. People in small towns and villages are not particularly a fan of modern minimalist spaces provided the obvious demographics. It’s a cafe not a gym.

Cafes should have windows. People like to look out or have in their mind the ability for others to look in and see them. It really doubles as a hub for activity. Your space just seems soooo small and closed in.
Not hating just offering up what came to my mind.
It takes a lot of guts to admit any wrong in public or on a forum.
Good luck for you in your next endeavor!

I'd say before even starting the business we need to look at the target audience. If we're looking at a very small town of people that just want a cozy place to have a hot drink and hang for a while, THAT is the promise you need to fulfill, not having the best coffee in the world. The branding and the decor need to make you feel cozy and make you want to come back. Also I'd say instead of ads you can do flyers around town, small events, like you said building community, but to do that you need to know what that community needs, wants, and values. Very interesting content I know it's not easy sharing these things!

My favorite coffee shop is a community based one where I can sit and drink, possibly meet with people. The clips you showed made your place look very small with no seating. I would probably not go. My loss really.

First of all, I really respect the investment you made in giving this cafe a go and the courage to talk about it after it closed. That said, my reaction from looking at the content is that the cafe looked a bit sterile. They say don't judge a book by its cover, but frankly life is too short and complicated not to! You really focused on serving a superior product with high standards, but the real commodity in that neighborhood probably would have been a warm and inviting atmosphere. When I see a coffee shop that's too plain and simple, it gives me the sense that it's transient. It may have worked out better for you in the city where a certain percentage of people want the best quality coffee with no frills, but I think the real product in your location would have been the third space.

A couple of things:
1) Very sorry for your loss regarding your dad
2) Thank you for sharing your story. Incredibly inspiring and so generous of you to be so authentic and honest. Truly, great work and thank you.
3) I love your comments about "The Promise" that's made between you and your customers. This is something I highlight in my book about building experiences and communities and your point of view really resonated with me.