Monday, November 23, 2009
Restaurant News Poplar Perk'N Opens
Posted by Pamela Denney on Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Called Poplar Perk’N (how cute is that?), the coffee bar is serving a menu of coffees, lattes, blended drinks, and strawberry and mango smoothies seven days a week.
“We opened the doors this morning, and the people started coming,” owner Jimmy Whidden said Monday. “This is an unbelievable location. I’ve lived within five miles of this intersection my whole life.”
A newbie to the coffee business, Whidden hired back the much-loved Highpoint barista team of Bobby Marino and Brian Hansford. “Between the two of them, they have nine years of experience,” Whidden said. “They know everything about coffee.”
It was Marino and Hansford who taste-tested beans and steered Whidden toward Gusta Java, a fair-trade roaster in Jackson, Tennessee.
“They are a small local roaster, and we loved the taste of the coffee,” Whidden said.
On Monday, a handful of muffins and cookies were in the case, but more goodies are on the way. “I’m still looking for a good bakery source, so if you know anyone, send them my way,” Whidden said.
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Who thought of the name? Ingeniuous! Perfect for the location. I wish him lots of luck but what makes Mr. Whidden think he can make it here when High Point couldn't?
Great name for the location. Ingenious! But what makes Mr. Whidden think he can make it here when High Point couldn't?
High point is a different company. They were more focused on selling beans than running a shop. You never really make a lot of money in coffee shops and restaurants. but you can make a living. As "rickh3" will note, High Point still has a very lucrative bean distribution network. For them, the shops were just a drain. For Mr. Whidden, it seems he wants to make a living..he can probably do that. I'll support it.
It really is all about location. Just watch how Walgreen's does it. If they see a better location, they'll buy it right up, even if it's literally right next door to another Walgreen's. Then they close up the old one, move all its people into the new one, and voila! It's like a game of checkers where they always gravitate toward the ideal corner location.
I'd love to know how that works out for them on a store by store basis.
just had some coffee a few hours ago.. but all the highpoints closed not just the one of poplar and perkins.. but that is a fabulous location.. and the coffee is wonderful.. and the staff is amazing (love you bobby) so yea.. go there whenever you need coffee.. you wont be let down!
- sam
If the guy is into dealing with a "fair trade" roaster...then maybe he's building some good karma!
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