Photo by Stephen BurnettAfter a slow start since its February 2013 opening, coffee shop Cuppa Austin on Parmer Lane has been finding better recipes for success in early 2014.
Owners Alan and Michelle Stewart have grown the business because of its location, open interior space for relaxing or working, and an awareness of customers' needs, Manager Verna Whittington said.
"We really like to hone in on what the customers want," she said.
Cuppa Austin uses premium Crimson Cup coffee. Recently it added Ghirardelli chocolate and almond and coconut milks to its menu based on feedback from patrons.
Customers can play board games, and there are plenty of plugs for charging computers and smartphones. The walls feature paintings for sale by local artists, Whittington said. Live bands from multiple genres perform at the coffee shop, she said, which adds to the shop's Austin aesthetic.
In 2014, customers may be able to send orders using a website or a smartphone app, she said. Whittington said staff plans to notify customers of scheduled game nights on its social networking sites. Operating hours may change based on customer's needs, she said.
"We're trying to keep an eye on what's going on in the community, so that way if we have late-nighters, we want to be open longer, and if we don't, then we'll close up," Whittington said.
Cuppa Austin, 9225 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. B101, Austin, 512-382-6729, www.facebook.com/cuppaaustin, Twitter @CuppaAustin , Hours: Mon –Fri. 5 a.m.–9 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 6 a.m.–8 p.m.
