The Big S strikes again
Submitted by Famous Whitewater on Wed, 05/02/2007 - 13:41.
Beth Dhillon writes in with some bad news about Koffeeheads.
"Never give up on your dreams -- never -- and don't let anyone crush them either," said Jack Weldon, owner of Koffeeheads. "I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. We both would ."
Today I sat through an employee meeting at Koffeeheads where Jack and Carrie Weldon announced that after 7 years, the wonderfully unique koffee shop in the Villagio shopping center will be closing their doors.
Regretfully, they explained that after months of trying everything they could, they simply could no longer afford to keep the business going. After having expended all their resources into this dream of theirs, they now must say farewell.Shocked and disappointed to hear that the shop is closing, business has picked up a bit in the last few weeks, but the revenue is coming in too little, too late. The reality is that on a daily basis the majority of these people have been falling prey to the green coffee giant. With a location on every corner, most of which have drive-thru's, the convenience and ease of buying coffee from Starbucks has put the little koffee shop with extraordinary coffee, great people, and a welcoming ambience out of business.
However, while Starbucks may be convenient, it's locally-owned places such as Koffeeheads that really give Fresno a welcoming feeling of eclectic community. While Koffeeheads supports local art, culture, music and various Fresno events, Starbucks is reaping in millions.As Fresnans, we boast all the time about how devoted we are to "local businesses" but the facts simply do not show this to be true. As a community, we have continually decided to choose the convenience of the corporate world over our neighborhood businesses. How many of our neighbors must be forced to say goodbye to their businesses, their dreams, and their forms of livelihood before we, as a community, decide to do anything about it?
Can it be now?
Since the day the place opened in 2000, Koffeeheads has been devoted to building a community. Virtually no one walks through the doors of Koffeeheads and then walks right back out. It is not simply just a coffee shop. It is a community.
Koffeeheads is a relationship. The customer is valued and is not just another number. Consistent customers are not greeted with an all-too-cheery "Hello," but instead they are called by name. People have a place here. We build relationships and friendships, and as a bonus, we serve you koffee.
One regular will agree that while the koffee is the best she's had, it's the people that keep her returning to the shop. Koffeeheads is her "safe place" and she's sure that this is not a sentiment that is unique to her.
"I've met and made so many of my closest friends here," said Jessyca Dewey, 22. "So many of my favorite memories have taken place within these walls. Over the years, the hours that I have spent curled up on this couch or sprawled out at that table, they have been so instrumental to my personal growth," said Dewey.
In just a few days, on May 5th, the doors of Koffeeheads will close but the relationships built within these four walls cannot be confined to a place or a building. Jack and Carrie have put their all into this dream and, ultimately, though the business may not continue on, the stories behind it undoubtedly will.
The thousands of meaningful conversations, hours of studying, moments of relaxation and introspection, Bible studies, first dates, and lessons learned at Koffeeheads will have made a lasting impact in the lives of those who have walked through the doors. The impact will last longer than the business or even the building itself.
I have been a faithful (and daily) patron of Koffeeheads for about four years and for the last few months I am honored to say that I have been an employee. During this time, Jack and Carrie have taught me and many others that it's important to invest in your dreams. This world is full of people and businesses that are going to tell you that the smartest thing to do is to invest in the "sure thing" but Jack and Carrie have taught me what it means to invest in yourself, in what you believe, and to invest in others. They have taught me that there is no better decision than to bet on yourself, because though this world may be run by money, money doesn't bring happiness, it doesn't bring love, and no matter what they tell you, it doesn't bring success, not the kind that lasts anyway.
When you bet on yourselves and make investments in the relationships that matter most, you will never find yourself poor. Instead you may learn what it truly means to be rich.
The Koffeeheads family might be saying farewell to a building, but they will never say goodbye to each other, and they do not say goodbye to the dream that kept them here for as long as it has. As they move on to other things and new challenges, they take with them the belief that life and success are not measured by what you have, but by who you have and what you've brought into their lives. Jack, Carrie, and the people of Koffeeheads invested in me, made my world a little bit better. All I can hope is that now I will move on to do the same for others. I will always hold on to the advice of Jack and Carrie. "Never give up on your dreams -- never -- and don't let anyone crush them either," they told me.
I hope you all will do the same.
A matter of choice...
the consumer's convenience supersedes their community.
i would just like too say that the family is doing great, jack and carrie weldon both have good jobs and a great house. Im jessie their daughter and i would like you all to know that you guys are always in their hearts and thank you for trying to help the coffeeshop last.
Koffeeheads
I am sad to see that Koffeeheads is through. As far as distinguishing itself above and beyond in quality of coffee and the uniqueness of their ambiance, this was something that Jack and Carrie understood and researched with wonderful abandon.
I used to run an open mic, and writer's night about 6 years ago at their first location on Bullard and First and we had a really great time there. It will be missed and The Night of Muse will take it's place in my heart as a great place to grow and re-settle into my place in Fresno after having moved back from overseas. Thanks to Jack and Carrie. I know that whatever else you put your hands to will be blessed. Good luck with everything.
Koffeeheads
I am sad to see that Koffeeheads is through. As far as distinguishing itself above and beyond in quality of coffee and the uniqueness of their ambiance, this was something that Jack and Carrie understood and researched with wonderful abandon.
I used to run an open mic, and writer's night about 6 years ago at their first location on Bullard and First and we had a really great time there. It will be missed and The Night of Muse will take it's place in my heart as a great place to grow and re-settle into my place in Fresno after having moved back from overseas. Thanks to Jack and Carrie. I know that whatever else you put your hands to will be blessed. Good luck with everything.
Not another one...
I am very saddened to hear Koffeeheads is closing. I'll definitely be by to say goodbye to the friendly staff that we've come to look forward to seeing every time we go.
It was difficult to find a locally-owned coffee shop close to my city home (there's not even a Starbucks for a few miles, can you believe that?). Koffeeheads was the closest thing and had the most bomb-ass coffee! At first I was angry with myself for not being "frequent" enough. It just wasn't possible, though. It's out of the way in an area I hate going to with the worse parking setup. It also isn't cost-effective for me to buy coffee every morning, and sometimes every week.
We did, however, drag all of our friends over to meet us there, met plenty of new people, and made lots of friends. We will have many fond memories (and pictures) of the eccentric coffee shop that had to close.
Koffeeheads
I must say, I was extremely sad to hear that Koffeeheads is closing their doors permanently. It was bad enough that they closed their downtown location as that was the one I frequented. I really feel that Koffeeheads provided such a great place for the locals and got many of my Starbucks-minded friends to see the light of a different coffee joint for a while. Jack Weldon, the owner, is such a great, bright guy and I really hope that he and Carrie and their family have success in their next ventures, whatever they may be. (And side note--this is also sad because I used to be one of Jack's students in high school and we helped pick the name Koffeeheads--and goodness me what a name that was, it is sad to see it disappear!)
Anyhow....their closing leaves another niche open for a place with good coffee, comfy couches, and free wi-fi....(3 advantages over Starbucks!) so I am ready for another local place to open up soon (and hopefully in the Tulare/O Street vicinity).
People don't frequent businesses to contribute to the local community. They frequent them because they offer a desired service or product at a price people are willing to pay. When someone references supporting local as a reason for patronizing a business, it's usually secondary to the other considerations mentioned above.
Having said that, there are undeniable benefits to being a chain, that's why the concept is so successful. Generally smaller businesses survive and thrive when they distinguish themselves in some fashion, or when there's simply a large enough customer base to support them and the majors. I guess those two factors weren't present in this case.
Because...
...they don't get their beans from Diablo Jarah! Café Corazón Forever, y qué!!!
Honestly, I've enjoyed The Revue many, many times. The atmosphere is always great, just like the people and I would hate to see it shut down as much as I hate hearing that Koffeeheads is out of the coffee game. That's sad news.
Support Local Fresno businesses as often as you can. It only makes sense to invest in our own community.
haha
Why is the coffee at the revue so bad?
hatred for Starbucks > hatred for Riverpark
Fresno Famous: Where hatred for Starbucks is the only thing greater than hatred for Riverpark
P.S. I'll buy 20lbs of coffee a month from Starbucks if they promise to shut down the Revue.
Is Starbucks really to blame? Or is it me?
I loved Koffeeheads. The coffee was great. The atmosphere was great. The gift items were so very cute.
And I went there about 1/8 as many times as I went to Starbucks. Why? Because like it or not, convenience is a factor. Parking was an issue.
I can't even remember the last time I went in for a sit-down at a Starbucks. I can, however, for Koffeeheads. It was a destination spot in a time of fewer and fewer moments for relaxation.
To survive, businesses must realize that more than ever before, people are busy. If it takes five minutes of fighting traffic to find a parking spot, I'll go elsewhere if I'm just looking for a caffiene fix... and realistically that's all I have time for on most days.
It is really too bad, and I'm horribly sad to see it go, but I can't blame the big "S" for all this. It isn't the fault of the giant coffee chain. It is the fault of multiple responsibilities, a lack of time, bad parking and frustration. It isn't Starbucks. It is me.
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