Juan Valdez Cafes and why I don't think they will fly Internationally.

adrimm says on Mar 5, 2006, 15:45:

Should have been more clear I realise that they already exist in the states, but my meaning with "fly" is total success. I don't think that they will realize their potential (which is mindblowingly huge) with the theme-look that they have right now.

People who grew up seeing tv commercial snatches of coffee farms worked around Juan Valdez and the mule are going to be just as dissapointed as I was. It's a positively bland and frigid atmosphere devoid of Colombian touches.

Aside from good but expensive coffee (I paid about 7 500 COP for a 500 ml Bag), it's just *not* interesting to go to and I sincerely doubt that with the current decor/atmosphere the cafes stateside are realising as many return visits as they could be. There is absolutely nothing special about the atmosphere except for the coffee (which isn't enough to carry a chain in the cafe market onto real success).

There is a place at the back of the huge artesan market across the way from the entrance to the Gold Musuem - check it out - they are on the right track. It reeks of Colombian coffee tradition. Juan Valdez needs to take a lesson from them.

Gomezman5 says on Mar 5, 2006, 16:00:

My opinion I was at the one in New York. I went out of my way to go there since afterall, it was Colombian. (at least in name) ---although who knows for all I know the Japanese could have bought the rights to use the name.

But I too was disappointed. I did not care about the decor. I wanted a good cup of fesh coffee that was representative of what a Colombian coffee should be. Medium body, Medium acidilty, and light to medium roast. Well, I was disappointed The beans that they used did not taste all that fresh. I think this establishment was working off name and it's theme, and I guess they thought that with that alone, the customers will follow. Look, Starbucks is a whole different principal....but one that works. Their the only place I have ever been that managed to turn a Colombian into a dark roast. They do it, the people like it, and they are making money off of it. So we could criticize their product all we want, but from a business perspective, they are rivaled by NOTHING!

Here in Chicago, whereas Starbucks has managed to put every other Coffee establishment out of business (Gloria Jeans, Seattle's Best, and now I hear the Beanery is on it's last legs) another small chain from Minnesota has established a foot hold. It's called Caribou coffee. They don't challenge Starbucks. They offer a different product. They have medium light and dark roasts. The decor is very "woody" and home like (Kind of like Starbucks) and it is a place they people can come in and plop themselves down for a while. So far, they are holding their own. But, even with their slow expansion, it is my understanding that they are basically "just hanging in there". I hope they make it.

As to Juan Veldez.....I think we Colombia could have done better. If Cafe Oma would have come in here, and marketed themselves correctly, I think they would have had a better product.

Peter (Moderator) says on Mar 5, 2006, 16:59:

New York I went to the new york one as well.

What a dissapointment!

It was soulless, boring, ugly. It was clear that they will never make it, if their first effort is this bad. I've been to quite a few independent coffee shops that are better than Starbucks, so it can be done. But the Juan Valdez shop is like a 1950s communist attempt to sell coffee. If they weren't sponsored by the Colombian Coffee org, they'd be out of business already. I wonder how much money they loose on these stores.

Poor but snappy

Monpirri says on Mar 5, 2006, 17:35:

Sprint joins in venture Sprint Brews a Blend of Communication Services for New Juan Valdez Coffee Cafes Opening in the United States


Sprint to Provide Sprint Complete Access(SM) Bundle and Wi-Fi Service to New Coffee House Chain

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Federation of
Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC) has selected Sprint (NYSE: FON) to provide a
complete communications bundle to the organization's new Juan Valdez Cafe
coffee house chain in the United States. Under the multiyear agreement,
Sprint will provide local, long-distance, Internet and Wi-Fi service to the
recently launched Juan Valdez Cafe locations in New York City and Washington,
D.C., and it is anticipated that Sprint will be the main communications
provider for an additional 25 store openings planned across the country within
the next six months.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )
To celebrate its new cafe concept in the United States, Juan Valdez Cafes
are offering for a limited time only coupons that will enable customers to
access Sprint PCS(SM) Wi-Fi Access at no charge at the New York and D.C.
cafes. With Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access, customers can surf the Web, send email
and access their corporate network at speeds that are up to 100 times faster
than standard dial-up. Users will need a Wi-Fi enabled laptop or PDA.
Following the free coupon trial, Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access service is available
for $9.95 per connection per location for 24 hours of unlimited access, or a
month-to-month plan is also available.
The Juan Valdez Cafe concept is unique in the world of coffee shops. It
is owned by the 560,000 coffee farmers of Colombia who carefully grow and
hand-pick Colombian Coffee. Over the next five years, several more cafes are
planned to open across the United States and worldwide. The cafes will offer a
wide array of coffee choices, including lattes and special traditional
Colombian coffee recipes. Proceeds from the Colombian coffee sales will be
reinvested in a variety of sustainable development, technical assistance and
other programs in Colombia's coffee-growing regions.
"Juan Valdez Cafes needed a single point of contact that could provide a
nationwide communications solution that includes both wireless and wireline
services," said Harry Campbell, president - Emerging/Mid-Markets Segment,
Sprint Business Solutions. "By building a customizable bundle that includes
local, long-distance, data and Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access, Juan Valdez Cafes can
benefit from the simplicity, economy and flexibility of dealing with one
contact and one provider."
In late July, Sprint announced its new Sprint Complete Access service, a
customizable telecommunications services bundle that includes local,
long-distance and data services packaged at competitive pricing with one point
of contact and one bill. Details of the offering and service locations can be
found at:
http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/sprintCompleteAccess_medium.jsp .
Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access, Sprint's high-speed wireless Internet service, is
currently available in thousands of locations, including airports, convention
centers, hotels, major truck stops and other public venues. For additional
information on Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access, compatible Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Zones(TM),
billing options and how to establish an account, visit
http://www.sprint.com/wifi .
Customers are invited to sample the new high-quality, Juan Valdez-branded
Colombian specialty coffee blends and the limited free-trial offer of Sprint
PCS Wi-Fi Access at the New York City Juan Valdez Cafe located at 140 E. 57th
Street or the Washington, D.C location at 1889 F Street NW.

About Sprint
Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26
million customers in over 100 countries. With more than $26 billion in annual
revenues in 2003, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and
deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States'
first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1
Internet backbone. Sprint provides local communications services in 39 states
and the District of Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital,
nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information,
visit http://www.sprint.com .

About the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia
The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, a non-profit
organization, seeks to raise the standard of living for more than 560,000
Colombian coffee farmers and their communities through the cultivation and
worldwide promotion of Colombian Coffee. Today, the Federation, the creator
of the world-renowned Juan Valdez and 100% Colombian Coffee brands, supplies
premium, specialty, green, and soluble coffees to hundreds of customers in
North America and around the world. It recently opened the first U.S. Juan
Valdez Cafe, featuring the Federation's own Juan Valdez-branded specialty
coffee blends. The Federation invests profits from the sale of Colombian
coffee in social programs that benefit millions of Colombians, helping to
develop roads, schools, electric power supplies, housing, and health care
centers.


PR Newswire
United Business Media

News & Information
We tell your story to the World

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/09-29-2004/0002261085&EDATE=

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

Monpirri says on Mar 5, 2006, 18:08:

If they do not make it in the USA with support from major international companies, they will definitely make it in Europe, especially in Tokyo, Japan. They love Juan Valdez there.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

Gomezman5 says on Mar 5, 2006, 18:10:

Damn Tinto......I had a feeling you knew about Caribou.... Aren't you from or live in Min.? Well.....OK, thanks for givinm me the info about these guys. So they are owned by some Islmaic concern? Are they fundimentalist? I believe you because you are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to these things. I just told this (about Caribou) to someone and they said.....no way. I told them you are a reliable source. And you know me, I don't just believe anybody. If you can come up with some source, I would be appreciatieve.

Monpirri's post is interesting. But I'll say this, no matter how noble their efforts are (the Colombian Coffee growers) if they cannot make their product more marketable here, they will not be around for long.

Tinto,also, I have to say, Caribou has done a hell of job taking on Starbuck. You seem to know downtown Chicago. Starbucks has 3 stores one and a half blocks of each other. In other words,,,,they have a very strong presense in this immediate area, yet a year and a half ago, Caribou had the guts to open a store right in the middle of a block between 2 of the stores, just about accross the street from the third Starbucks I was talking about. That takes real guts. Yet, they are doing quite well. Like I said, their product is different.

adrimm says on Mar 5, 2006, 18:33:

Nah I think they may survive in Europe, but I agree with Peter about it looking soulless. Survival is not the success that the shops have potential to be. Even in Japan, I think something cafetero-themed would become stunningly popular.

Does anyone have any idea (aside from the puny web form on their website) how we could encourage Juan Valdez to experiment with a more cafetero-looking appearance?

I'm willing to put considerable time into making this discontent heard and effect a positive change. The potential to really succeed is there, but they are half-assing it with the appearance.

Anyone here with ideas can email me at adrim_m "at" hotmail "dot" com.

Gomezman5 says on Mar 5, 2006, 19:12:

VERY INTERESTING!!! And as to Church's????? Well, hey, I like their fried chicken, even if it is not very good for you.

juanalejo says on Mar 5, 2006, 20:24:

Adrimm Maybe you can contact their New York based marketing agent who has set down the guidelines for the Bogota and New York architects to come up with the stores you have visited.

Up to what I have read, the idea was to create an upmarket look and to steer away from the cheaper look of a Colombian farmer. The idea is to keep selling Colombian coffee at premium prices and in that sense the 500 projected stores will only be located in the high end areas of the most important cities of the world. After that will come the placing of the coffee and coffee products into the high end supermarkets of those cities. We shall see if those New York agents have pointed in the right direction, but up to what I have read it seems they are.

Gomezman5 says on Mar 5, 2006, 20:42:

Do what people like...it's easy Look, Starbucks came in with this very earthy, low lighting, soft leather chairs and sofas type of look. If you look at Starbucks, go from store to store, and it's fairly uniform. The lights are identical. They must own the factory.

Caribou, is really is doing well. And.....if I may add, I know of no other chain that has taken on Starbucks. This is especially so in light of the fact that by aquisition or whatever, they knocked the competition out on their butts. But anyway, Caribou build upon that soft natural look by adding pine would on the walls, even lighter more yellowish lighting, and related.

As Adrimm points out, it has a glass/steel look. That said, I don't know of one coffee house, not one, that has such a high tech look. It runs contrary to what Americans like. Even my friend who has a coffee and tea shop, with salads, sandwichs,and pastries, made here place look warm. She went a step further . She has little antique lights on the table (regular bulbs) NO HALOGEN. And a little vase of flowers.

What I am saying is that this is not rocket science. Let these Juan Valdez come to Chicago, and I'll show them how a coffee house should look. Then they can play upon the Colombian theme, and they should do well. But.,.....they also might want to get some better coffee, instead of junk that taste like Sello Rojo. Like I said, I think Oma knows how to do it right.

miamimike says on Mar 5, 2006, 21:28:

Juan Valdez Not listed as a "Fair Trade" Coffe Buyer... Strange as one would think, the owners being Colombian, know well the intense hard labor these workers put into growing, tending and harvesting a 90 pound sack of Green coffee beans. Starbucks uses the "Fair Trade" principle in buying their Beans and that means they pay the small Colombian collectivos the fair Market(current) price for their Chain's Beans. This in turn trickles down to the small farmer and laborer and improves their lot in life (in Col and elsewhere) through fair market prices. I will stick with Starbucks because they adhere to this principle of Fair Trade and improving the life of the small coffee farmer in Col. Starbucks also extends that principle to their employees as they are fairly compensated and even provided with health insurance, a rarity in a fast Food chain in the USA. I observed something(rarily seen in the USA) Real Nice and that was on Veteran's Day(nov.11) here in North Miami where I live. As I arrived for the 10am Memorial Service honoring our Veterans, who was in the Parking area but a Starbucks Van(didn't even know they had such a thing) dispensing Free Coffee and Cinammon Rolls to the Veterans FREE of charge and NO limit on Refills! NO ONE has ever done this before here for us Vets so a "Salute" to Starbucks from this Vet! You gained, in all probability, a lifelong customer by this Gesture of Goodwill towards our Veterans.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

miamimike says on Mar 5, 2006, 21:37:

On The owners of Juan Valdez Coffee Looking at the below paragraph, it appears the Col Coffee growers have their own group/federation but still am unable to see where they belong to the larger and more well known "Fair Trade Federation", possibly they belong, does anyone know?

About the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia
The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, a non-profit organization, seeks to raise the standard of living for more than 560,000 Colombian coffee farmers and their communities through the cultivation and worldwide promotion of Colombian Coffee. Today, the Federation, the creator of the world-renowned Juan Valdez and 100% Colombian Coffee brands, supplies premium, specialty, green, and soluble coffees to hundreds of customers in North America and around the world. It recently opened the first U.S. Juan Valdez Café, featuring the Federation’s own Juan Valdez-branded specialty coffee blends. The Federation invests profits from the sale of Colombian coffee in social programs that benefit millions of Colombians, helping to develop roads, schools, electric power supplies, housing, and health care centers

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

miamimike says on Mar 5, 2006, 21:45:

The Fair Trade Principle "Fair Trade Coffee and Food Products
Link to FTF Wholesalers who provide 100% fair trade coffee.

Coffee and Fair Trade

Many coffee farmers around the world receive market payments that are lower than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debt. Intensive coffee farming can also lead to pesticide pollution and deforestation.

Fair Trade works to correct these imbalances by guaranteeing a minimum wage for small producers' harvests and by encouraging organic and sustainable cultivation methods. Fair trade farmers are provided badly needed credit and assured a minimum of $1.26 per pound. In comparison, the world price usually hovers around $1 per pound, but most farmers earn less than 50 cents per pound since they are forced to sell to exploitative middlemen. With the profits generated from receiving fair wages, coffee growers can invest in health, education, and environmental protection.

Taking a step to buy fair trade coffee supports rather than exploits coffee farmers in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and around the world. Contact an FTF-member business to purchase fair trade coffee today!

Coffee

Bean North Coffee Roasting Co. (www.beannorth.com), P.O. Box 20437, Km 9.3, Takhini Hotsprings Rd., Whitehorse, YT Y1A 7A2, phone:(867)667-4145, fax: (867)393-3193, email: info at beannorth.com. 100% fair trade, organic coffee. In partnership with coffee cooparetiaves around the world, we build businesses that respect ourselves, others, and ourearth. Excellent coffee.

Café Campesino,725 Spring St., Americus, GA 31709; phone: 888-532-4728; email: info at cafecampesino.com; 100% Fair Trade, organic, shade-grown coffee company supplying individuals, coffee houses, restaurants, markets, co-ops, and fundraising groups with delicious roasted-to-order, specialty-grade coffee. 24/7 online ordering for retail and wholesale customers. Bulk pricing available. Member: Cooperative Coffees, Fair Trade Federation, SCAA. Certified organic by QCS.

Cloudforest Initiatives, PO Box 40207, St. Paul, MN 55104; phone: 651-592-4143; email: cloudforest at hwpics.com; Organic, shade grown coffee from Chiapas, Mexico.

Coffee Exchange Inc., 207 Wickenden St., Providence , RI 02903-4328, phone: (401)273-1198, fax: (401)273-4440, email: info at mailordercoffee.com. Roaster retailer that focuses on certified organic, fair trade Arabica coffee. We extend our commitment to quality by including social/environmental quality of life considerations.

Conscious Coffees, 229 Continential Ct., Unit 101A, P.O. Box 4477, Breckenridge, CO 80424, phone: (970)453-5353, email: info at consciouscoffees.com. Sourcing, roasting, and blending fairly traded, organic, and sustainable boutique coffees.

Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company, 50 R.W. Moore Ave., Orange, MA 01364; phone: 978-544-2002, fax: 978-544-2002, email: dean at deansbeans.com; 100% organic, fair trade coffee and cocoa products designing and supporting people-centered development and activism at home and in the villages.

The Earth Friendly Coffee Company (www.earthfriendlycoffee.com), 4350 Wadsworth Blvd., Ste. 240, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, phone:(303)641-4283, fax: (303)425-0223 (attn: Diane Hughes), email: diane at earthfriendlycoffee.com. Wholesales only the highest quality, fair trade, shade grown, chemical free, specialty coffees. Reduces roaster profiteering while empowering the small grower

Equal Exchange, 251 Revere Street, Canton, MA 02021; phone: 781-830-0303; fax: 781-830-0282; email: info at equalexchange.com; Thirty-nine coffees, 100% fairly traded, including 23 shade-grown and certified organic varieties, bulk, packaged, and pillow pack options. Four fairly traded certified organic teas and hot cocoa.

Global Exchange, 2017 Mission St. #303, San Francisco, CA, 94110; phone: 415-255-7296; email: info at globalexchange.org, Offers an assortment of Fair Trade coffees.

Grounds for Change, 8174 Hansen Rd. NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, phone: (800)796-6820, fax: (206)855-9440, email: info at groundsforchange.com, Grounds for Change roasts only triple-certified coffee - fair trade, organic, shade-grown.

Higher Grounds Trading Co. (www.javaforjustice.com), P.O. Box 326, Leland, Michigan; phone: 231.256.9687; email: info at javaforjustice.com; 100% Arabica Coffees direct from the Mayan Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico.

Just Coffee (www.justcoffee.net), 100 S. Baldwin St., #303, Madison, WI 53703, phone: 608-204-9011, email: info at justcoffee.net. Air-roasts tasty, organic, shade-grown beans from democratically organized grower cooperatives. "We believe fair trade is not simply a market but a movement."

Larry's Beans, Inc. (www.larrysbeans.com), 1507 Gavin St., Raleigh , NC 27608, phone: (919)828-1234, fax: (919)833-4567, email: lbean at larrysbeans.com. North Carolina's first fair trade-shade grown-organic coffee roaster. "Be a hero, save the world, buy fair trade."

Moka Joe Certified Organic Coffee, 2118 James St., Bellingham, WA 98225; phone: (360)714-1953; email: mokajoecoffee at aol.com, Roasts only organic, shade grown, bird-friendly beans from brokers who provide us with fair trade coffees.

Mother Earth Coffee Co., LLC, 5427 Johnson Dr., #182, Mission , KS 66205, phone: (913)722-5711, fax: (913)722-5711, email: info at motherearthcoffeeco.com. Certified Organic(TM), Shade Grown coffee from El Salvador. One pound packages filled with whole bean dark and medium roasts. Also offering dark roast decaffeinated.

Peace Coffee, 2105 1st Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404; phone: 612-870-3440 or 888-324-7872; fax: 612-870-4846; email: peacecoffee at iatp.org; Roasted coffee from 100% arabica beans from Guatemala, Mexico, Cameroon, and Indonesia.

Pura Vida Coffee, 2724 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98134, phone: (877)469-1431 or (206)328-9606, fax: (206)328-2284, email: contact at puravidacoffee.com. Specialty coffee company featuring complete line of fair trade, organic, shade-grown coffees and related products. 100% charitably owned. Major market: universities.

SERRV International, Inc., P O BOX 365, New Windsor, MD 21776-0365; phone: 410-635-8750; fax: 410-635-8774; email: Info at SERRV.org; Equal Exchange coffee.

Ten Thousand Villages, 704 Main Street P O Box 500, Akron, PA 17501; contact: Ruth Martin; phone: 717-859-8100; fax: 717-859-2622; email: rem at villages-mcc.org; Equal Exchange coffee.

Transfair USA, 1611 Telegraph Ave., Ste. 900, Oakland, CA 94612, phone: (510)663-5260; fax: (510)663-5264; email: transfair at transfairusa.org, The only organization providing independent certification for fair trade products in the U.S. Look for the Fair Trade Certified label - proof the farmers who grew your coffee or tea received a fair price. Visit our website to find Fair Trade coffee retailers in your area"

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

anonimo says on Mar 5, 2006, 21:58:

It would have a tough time in Canada as most Canadians are hooked on the highly caffenated, low grade coffee served at Tim Hortons

Gator says on Mar 6, 2006, 06:34:

Agree With GIB... The coffee I had from the two places I visited, ElDorado and in Santa Barbara, was not anyhting to write home about. As for the look, the story in "Semana" said the marketing was going to be directed towards a younger clientele, what ever that means. We buy the beans and grind out own.

"Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscripti catapults habebunt."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

Gomezman5 says on Mar 6, 2006, 07:28:

Well, that's one difference Starbucks does not look for Shopping malls. Their presense there really adds nothing to their success. They are there because they feel they have to be there. In Chicago, Caribou is not in one shopping mall.

In the US, the typical coffee house going person is on the youngish to middle age going going range. They like comfy places that are low keyed, with a soft side. They border on "homey" with their soft lighting and alike. I have not been to one high tech/ultra modern coffee house in the US. I think young to middle age Bogotanos are in the same group. I remember I went to a coffee house in Zona Rosa, and it was very similar to the type I am talking about here in the US. In fact, they were playing a song an old english song.....Carole King I believe. The girl, who could not speak English, was singing along with Carole. (Even though she did not have a clue of what she was singing)

Gomezman5 says on Mar 6, 2006, 07:41:

I never looked for one Colombia is not listed as one of the countries they are located in.

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/default.aspx

Of course, that does not mean that the list is current.

kernow62 says on Mar 6, 2006, 12:27:

I like the modern look of the stores. Can't comment on the coffee as I never partake of the beverage.

I would like to see the same clean modern design, but with something more Colombian to the design.

Show Colombia's modern side, posters showing modern buildings, the Transmilenio, show that Colombia is more than just a rural backwater third world, drug-producing, bloodthirsty country. It might just educate a few folks while they sip on their cafe.

litost says on Mar 6, 2006, 16:59:

I agree with kernow62... I think the design is smart, modern, appealing to the targeted consumers: university students and young executives. Loved going to the JV on calle 73, specially on the wooden terrace, watch the afternoon go by and the hoards of people in rush hour, busy with their everyday lives. I think in Colombia the current design works well because people aren't very used to the concept, but for a more global strategy it would be good to have a greater earthy-country feel to it. I liked the coffee, but then again I can't tell an arabica from a robusta! Something I hope I'll acquire eventually.

Gomezman5 says on Mar 6, 2006, 17:27:

Kernow..... I think you are missing the point. Should these Colombian investors open a joint for the purpose of promoting Colombia? Or should they open a business for the purpose of serving the desires of what Americans look for in a coffe house, which just so happens to have an underlying theme of promoting Colombia in the proccess.

When you start a business, you open one based on what American people or people in the country you are starting the business want, not what you or I should think it should be. Chicago is very representative of the theme throughout the US of what people look for in their coffee house and trust me, it is any thing but ultra modern and high tech looking. If that is what Americans liked, than thet is what you would see. That is not to say that you can't have the type that I described above, and also have some Botero posters, or even picture of the various Colombian cites...in other words, something that has a Colombian theme to it. But modern is not what cuts it here in the US.

The softer, earthy type is what Americans go for.

juanalejo says on Mar 6, 2006, 17:31:

Screwed Up Maybe the New York based guys screwed up and they do not know their home turf, but they seem to have nailed it in Colombia, as the shops are always full around here.

adrimm says on Mar 6, 2006, 19:35:

My last $0.02 - what a marathon. I wrote a book. Wow what a great discussion this is, I see a few familiar old handles.. Miamimike hello! My post is so long I doubt most of you will read it!

Juanalejo, I don't think that the cafetero theme would be as downscale... in Canada at least it would be indicative of a Herculean effort for ambiance instead of the usual boring stuff. Even in Colombia...we were in Las Caleras (east of Bogota) for lunch a few weeks ago and went to a place that was totally traditional - and not so afforable all by Colombian standards - we paid 150,000 COP for 4 people.

I think Colombians go to Juan Valdez for pure and simpe pride, perhaps the resistance to a cafetero theme may be becuase it is such an old fashioned-seeming tradition, like grandparents etc. But for us in other countries cafetero and fincas are different, yet warm and friendly-feeling.

There is an expression in English "Not seeing the forest for the trees".

GdL, the look thing isn't a generational thing. I'm in the 25-30 group caffeine-addict generation. My crowd are those who have grown into the globalising world.. Starbucks has been around since alot us started drinking coffee. We eat spaghetti and meatballs one night and sushi or pakoras and curry the next. We're demanding consumers and want something kitschy and fun or something that we've never seen. We don't have time (or sometimes money) for good vacations so snatches of the exotic are great. (Timmy's is hardly the be all and end all of the coffee scene in Canada). We are beginning to realise that cities the world over are becoming similar to one another, so another culture's traditional thing is often an interesting thing. A glimpse into the world of Juan Valdez can be a brief escape, one that can prime us for learning more about colombia.

Kernow, Some people may like glass and steel look, but to be brutally honest (to me) Juan Valdez's look isn't extraordinary enough to stand out in the glass and steel look category. I've encountered few cafe-places that actually have the cutting edge design to be considered successfully modern in my books.*

All: Besides's it's all about getting return visits and marketing. Business is about catching and keeping clientele. The disconnect from their past supremely successful theme is inefficient marketing. As for whether or not Juan Valdez reflects the the real Colombia, yes it is. Let's not forget the vast, intoxicatingly delightful and sometimes shocking spectrum of contrasts that still exists Colombia. Coffee comes from farms, is hand picked and is still not an entirely mechanized industry. That doesn't mean that they same country doesn't have the modern amenities other nations have (we know it does). For some reason alot of people in "developed nations" like to think of "developing nations" as developing-not-there-yet but the reality is that most developing places have modernity, albeit with more variation or heterogeneity than "developed" places may.

Anyhow, once a loyal base of customers has been snared and is happily propelling the firm to success it will be easy to add elements to the cafes that will enrich and educate people more about Colombia. People would eat it up like biscotti!!!! Imagine giant picture books (with laminated pages - it is a cafe) scattered about the place. Add a photo every month or two with a few lines of text. Have chain-wide contests with trips to Colombia as the prize. Trip includes 4 days in Bogota, 4 days in Cartagena, and 4 days on a coffee ranch resort.
Once the customers are hooked the possibilites are endless - but we must hook them.

Think about pasta or pasta sauce marketing? Italy is hardly a backwards nation, yet the old style Italian grandmother remains a favorite theme.

Anyhow Tinto, I do hope that they will experiment a bit and maybe open a pilot cafe with cafetero theme just to see what it does to their success and profit.


* Personally minmalist glass and steel doesn't inspire a welcoming and relaxing cafe atmosphere (dance club yes, cafe no) in my books but that is a different discussion altogether.

Gomezman5 says on Mar 6, 2006, 21:46:

GringoD Juanalejo is in Bogota. He lives there but he once told me he wished he lived in Chicago but there were not enough beautiful women in Chicago for him.

juanalejo says on Mar 7, 2006, 03:33:

G5 If I wished I lived in Chicago I would post more than a few words on a daily basis on the Rich but Unhappy Chicago thread, which is evidently not the case. Plus I like Colombianas much better.

And Adrimm, what ever the reason they are always full.

Gomezman5 says on Mar 7, 2006, 08:00:

GringoD Am I to presume that you don't like our World Series Champions, the
White Sox? I am a very close walk to the "Friendly Confines" AKA,
Wrigley Field. So I go to Sox and Cubs games when someone calls me and offers me a ticket.

Now as to Juanalejo's desire to live in Chicago, I don't know what to tell you. He has it wrong though about me. I'm not rich, but as he and all else know, I am certainly happy living here in Chicago. However, Bogota is my second favorite city. I love the climate! (And that is the one thing that most Colombian's DON'T like about Bogota). It's a beautiful city with a lot of culture and things to do. And did I tell you I love the climate? I just can't emphasize that too much. Although, I think I would need a space heater in my bedroom at night...depending how well the structure I am living in is insulated. Some of those places get as cold as outside. In others, you hardly feel the temperature drop. But to the extent I don't like a cold house at night, I hate heat. And in the summer, Chicago can be as hot and humid as any other place that is know for high temps with high humidity. To put it another way, Chicago in July and August has higher temps and more humidity than Miami, or Cartagena for that matter does.

I still think Juanalejo would like it here. I would fix him up with one of these hot Puerto Rican girls, and he would forget about Colombia. In fact, he might even want to pretend he was Puerto Rican. Except, Rolos (thank God) don't speak anything like Puerto Ricans. But he could fake it, like when I pretend to talk like a Mexican.............."andale pues" or "pasame la chamarra" (very Mexican)

kernow62 says on Mar 7, 2006, 12:11:

Adrimm, I think you are correct; in that JV is not cutting edge enough to standout. So instead of making them another earthy boring as hell but relaxing place to have a coffee... give the folks a visual jolt to go with their coffee.

I realise the US is not really the mecca of moderne, but it is certainly taking off...again. Just witness the success of Dwell magazine, here in Orlando almost all the furniture stores that are springing up tend to sell modern furniture. In Chicago one of the most succesful outfits is DWR Design Within Reach, totally mod. Everything goes in cycles, look at all the modern stuff that came out of the US in the 1950s and 1960s, then later we went through the cypress stump tables and macrame and ferns, God that was awful. Modern is on the way back! JV needs to go modern and not by halfs either.

kernow62 says on Mar 7, 2006, 15:18:

Just musing a bit, but what if JV stores were also an outlet for Colombian artists? Put a bit of homegrown talent on the walls (all for sale). Good for the local artist community back home in Colombia, plus it might get the word out that it is a cool place to have a cup of Joe and browse some nice art.

Gomezman5 says on Mar 8, 2006, 10:03:

Denny's?? I don't think there are any of those in Colombia. Dunkin.....goodness there are plenty of them.

ACBlessing says on Mar 8, 2006, 11:31:

My 3.500 pesos Wow! Lots to read about Juan but not enough time or monera ahora... I just stopped by the Juan Valdez in Salitre about an hour ago and am surprised to get on here and see so much about it. Yes, it is certainly lacking in Colombian genuity but it is young I truly enjoyed it. I hope this venture finds its way because I truly enjoyed the coffee (Volcan) and thought it was pretty refreshing. I got tired of the capuccino/alcohol mixes I had been drinking. Bought a couple T-shirts too. I say give em a chance.

Alex Blessing, Spokane, WA USA
alex at acblessing.com
http://www.acblessing.com/Colombia.htm

Just plain poor

kernow62 says on Mar 8, 2006, 14:12:

Hey AC great to see you back from the Middle-East. I assume you will be posting photos from this trip to Colombia on your web site.

What's the URL again? ;-)

mariasman says on Mar 8, 2006, 14:29:

I think that Valdez will if not be equal surpass Starbucks Alot of you here know me as a basher of the American women but I am glad that today I feel liberated to talk about Juan Valdez cafe which I have visited in Bogota on Calle 73 and I have to admit that I did expect something a little warmer as far as deco goes but, this is Bogota, Colombia and what may seem not attractive to us extranjeros is in fact very classy to the Bogotanos and the rest of Colombia. I love the Valdez trademark because I think it is the best way to represent the world of coffee but they will atleast be equals with Starbucks and if they change the Deco for the American and other world community markets, They will forsure Kickbutt. How about this,,, If they open up in the America, they could maybe have huge pools with Piranah's and maybe live ant nests next to every table with wild donkeys carrying coffee beans and maybe the staff could be dressed as guerilla, I mean, come on,,, what do you really want? Just say it.

mariasman

mariasman says on Mar 8, 2006, 14:30:

A proposito I loved their coffee.

mariasman

ACBlessing says on Mar 8, 2006, 15:33:

Kernow Damn! I got a laugh at Mariasman's response! I thought the same for a while and can't stop smiling...espcially the part about the donkey and dressing like guerillas. Maybe they could have dirt floors and soundtracks of explosions and machine-gun fire in the background.
I think the decor is nice and so was the coffee. The lighting too was demure and pleasant. I guess it's because I know they're relatively new compared to Starbucks but following their model, I'd rather go to a Juan Valdez if there was on in Seattle or Spokane. Honestly, I really like the decor...it was elegant and inviting. The brand-marked items like jackets and shirts were nice too. I'
m going to pick up a couple more in different colors to send to the U.S.

I"m sure they'll come in to their own with a solid brand identity in time. I know that in Bogota, the prices are much more reasonable than $tarbuck$ but then so is everything else.



*Out of topic*(((((((((((Kernow! Thanks! Yes, got back from the middle east and on a plane to Bogota in less than a week. Im a little tired of travelling all over the world and don't want to see an airplane for a while. Not sure about the picts as the tourist phase is over but I'm snapping shots here and there. Spent some time in Melgar with no phone, Internet and no uniform!! ;-) I got a bad burn on my shoulders though...gringo. I will update my site when I get back...especially the phone part. I am going to Carrefour right now for some groceries and to shop for a cell phone but it was great hearing form you.)))))))))

Alex Blessing, Spokane, WA USA
alex at acblessing.com
http://www.acblessing.com/Colombia.htm

Just plain poor

webmanco says on Mar 19, 2006, 19:32:

Teenagers in USA are drinking mor coffe Los adolescentes en EE.UU. hacen que crezca el consumo diario de café en ese país


April 21



COLOMBIA

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

adrimm says on Aug 6, 2006, 22:12:

.

aztec says on Aug 7, 2006, 04:14:

adrimm, the building does stand out in Bogota. It has the appearance of a modern open safe place to meet for a tinto. The one I visited up North next to the university/college was full of young professional types. Plenty of seating and sometimes you could park your auto next to the building on the street.

In summary, if you were interested it would be an excellent spot for girl watching. Can make you forget you are drinking coffee!

Must admit we was surprised by the design. Perhaps Colombia owners want to get away from the "third world" feel of the building appearance. If so that would be a shame.

webmanco says on Aug 7, 2006, 20:43:

Now at Carrefour Here are some new locations



Ultimas aperturas



- Centro Comercial Andino

Cra 11 No. 82-71 Primer piso Terraza Frente a la Zona T

- Centro Comercial San Pedro Plaza - Neiva

Cra 8A No 38-42B Primer piso.

- España

Serrano 4 Madrid

- Savile -Bogotá

Av. 82 No 9 - 65

- Centro Comercial Santa Fe - Bogotá

Autopista Norte Cll 185 No 45-03, Local 1-106


- Victoria Centro Comercial-Pereira

Cra 11Bis No. 17-20

- Carrefour Calle 170 Bogotá

- Carrefour Calle 80 - Bogotá

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 7, 2006, 20:58:

Washington DC I was in Washington DC recently and went to the Juan Valdez just S. of what passes for "Chinatown" there. The Juan V is across the street from a Starbucks, which is booming. JV's is empty both in terms of lack of clientele and also its interior design

The primary failing I could see, however, was that it was staffed by a couple very unattractive gringas who didn't know anything about Colombia or even a couple words of Spanish. With a world full of hot latinas out there, why are they hiring anything less than the best?

miamimike says on Aug 8, 2006, 02:18:

Decor can be a Dealbreaker or Dealmaker,,, I have seen that happen at a couple of Spanish Restaurants here in Miami. One in North Miami Beach called My Pequeña Peru was first started in a small rustic type restaurant that was jam packed daily. On the walls and ceilings it was adorned with Typical Peruvian Decor so you felt like you were transported back to Peru while eating. Fast Forward a year, the owners decided to relocate nearby into a Sterile modern looking cafeteria mall type place and the business dropped off 50%, not sure its even opened anymore as I stopped going when they went Modern. Another Restuarant I go to, Guajiro's Cuban Restaurant on Calle 8 and 127th ave in sw Miami(right on the same block as the Colombian Recuerdo's Taberna--also decorated with typical Colombian decor and the waiters even wear white typical costumes and yellow straw cowboy hats--this place is packed also every weekend, for you folks who live in Miami)is decorated the same way and they pack 'em nightly. The owners acknowledge the Decor and ambience is one of the Big secrets to their success--when you eat there you are transported back to Cuba Vieja, along with Benny Moré Songs sung by a Cuban singer. Decor can make a world of difference,,,at least here in Miami,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 8, 2006, 09:15:

Therin lies the rub Miamimike, I think you're on to something. See, the Juan Valdez strategy in Colombia is to be upmarket and anything BUT third world. It's hard to justify selling coffee for three bucks to Colombians in a place with Chivas on the counter and guys wearing ruanas serving. But "upmarket" in NYC or DC or LA doesn't really mean anything special at all.

Then there's the thing I've always thought, which is that with Americans beyond a certain, not-so-old age, Juan Valdez is synonymous with TV ads for Folgers coffee, which is crap. Like trying to sell Kobe beef with Ronald McDonald as your mascot.

adrimm says on Aug 8, 2006, 17:32:

Miamimike You have completely nailed exactly what I was intending to express.

In developed countries the rustic look sells (it says attention to detail), and the culturally different rustic feel of the "cafetero look" would bring in ooodles of money.

If I hadn't just bought property I'd seriously consider partnering up with someone and giving JV a run for it's money on the international scene. Maybe if I scrimp and save for a few years...we'll see.

miamimike says on Aug 8, 2006, 21:50:

Adrimm, Hollywood I agree. I'm sure someone could make a success out of a small ethnic Coffee shop. In my old home town of Erie, Pa the Greeks have been doing it for years with their Hot Dog Shops and secret sauce. Their Restaurants are simple; If someone had a Good Product coffee wise I would think you could make it go in the large cosmopolitan cities such as Seattle, San Fran, Chicago, NYC, Miami, Toronto,Montreal to name a few. Even a Mobile Coffeee vender may do good; I'm really surprised here in Miami, A HUGE Expresso town(cafe cubano)I'm surprised there aren't some mobile venders(outside of those who go to the construction sites with their lunch wagons). I'll bet if someone had Mobile Vending Carts set up outside the Dade County Courthouse, across from Miami's Bayside complex or in the Miami Financial district of Brickell they could clean up. Like Pizza, there is a HUGE profit margin in Coffee when you put a pencil to the proposal,,,Adrimm, a Mobile Coffee cart like the One in the Hotlink is what I mean. I'll bet if a person was to paint this CArt with a Complete Color Scheme of The Colombian Flag in red-blue-yellow and park it any of the Downtown Tourist areas in any of the above mentioned cities and maintained a Quality Consistent Coffee Product you could soon turn a profit,, probably could do a Van or cart like this for well under $25K and you are ready for Business,,,otherwise then getting your local permits&insurances.

http://www.caffe-mobile.co.uk/pel7.htm

http://www.fetedirectory.com.au/?main/ViewSupplier&page=ViewSupplier&supplier_id=99&category=17&state=all&keywords=

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

SPECTRASORT says on Aug 10, 2006, 15:53:

Forget Juan Valdez and Starbucks. There is only one Coffee And that is BOHRCAFE , Tasted their Coffee whilst in Bogota , THE BEST by a country mile , It is more expensive then the other brands , but what the heck "You pay for what you get".

I think it is now avaliable for the General Public in certain stores in Bogota.

P.s any Colombian Coffee Experts posting on here .?. If so send me a PM(If its possible) of post a reply in this thread.

webmanco says on Aug 22, 2006, 06:03:

La compañía multinacional La compañía multinacional Starbucks pidió más café especial de Génova (Quindío)


Agosto 21 de 2006

La compañía multinacional Starbucks pidió más café especial de Génova (Quindío)

El suceso se logró bajo el modelo de agricultura por contrato, firmado en días pasados por la gobernadora del Quindío, Amparo Arbeláez Escalante, y la marca proveedora.

"Este es el resultado de un esfuerzo grande que hicieron los cultivadores de Génova en cinco años, donde han seguido unos lineamientos que son exigidos por las compradores internacionales de café para buenas prácticas agrícolas, y por cumplir con estos requisitos las tostadoras están dispuestas a pagar un precio alto", explicó �lvaro Tobón, gerente de Arábicas de Colombia, firma que en años anteriores descubrió el potencial del café del municipio cordillerano y que ahora hace parte de la negociación.

El contrato, que equivale aproximadamente a 160 arrobas de pergamino, y se empieza a ejecutar el primero de octubre, se extenderá hasta septiembre del 2007, cuando se dé por terminado el año cafetero.

El secreto para este café es mantener el sombrío

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

Coffeeman says on Aug 22, 2006, 11:52:

Flogging a dead JV Mule I was in Bogota and Armenia in January. I tried most of the coffee shops (well not exactly most, but alot), and I agree. JV's coffee is a poor representation of what Colombian coffee can/should be. It is over roasted and not fresh. I sampled the downtown JVC, the El Dorado JVC, and the JVC at the Parque de Cafe in Quindio. All are about the same. Cafe OMA brews a better cup for sure, and Don Pedro's coffee is even better. I spoke to people in Quindio and in Bogota about their coffee. The answer is not wht you would expect. To most Colombians, they drink tinto because it is custom / habit and they really don't think about it much. That is, they are not hung up in the nuances of coffee roasting and bean grinding on a day-to-day basis (unlike me). I told them that is really ashame that JVC really does not do the Colombian coffee reputation justice. Most Colombians have other priorities more important that a cup of Joe. On another note, I was in a bookstore in Bogota looking for a book on Colombian coffee history. Nope!! they do not have one, unlike the country of Guatamala which does have a nice hardback book on their countries history on coffee. I ask the bookstore Manager (it was a speciality bookstore), she said that the production of a book on Colombian coffee heritage / history got too political and as a result never happened (No surprise).

scotty says on Nov 17, 2006, 23:01:

hmmmm well see, there you go everyone has their own opinion on what is best and what isnt or what companies will make it and what companies wont.
Juan Valdez is getting pretty darn popular in Colombia and they are saying they plan to open 300 shops world wide.
i just hope they open one in AZ.
Evereywhere i go i see starbucks and i dont like their coffee at all...they need some compitition some real good colombian coffee.
i remember last time i was in Cali i had some delicious coffee i think it was called Cafe Roja?

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

scotty says on Nov 17, 2006, 23:08:

so the coffee the coffee is good the atmosphere isnt? you are right , if they are going to promote Juan valdez and coffeee from the hills of Colombia they should at least portray the Colombian atmosphere and design.
thats another point it seems like every coffee shop you go into now a days regardless of the company they all look alike.
here in my neighbor hood we have one little exception its a family owned coffee shop call RIO and its has a great atmosphere of Rio in Brazil. everything is woood, fishing nets, coffee bean bags, barrels, latin music playing...nice little coffee shop.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash