Be with those who help your being. – Mevlana Rumi (1207-1273)
Whether it’s a roadhouse on the highway to Denali, or a tiki shack on St. George Island, Pete and I tend to seek out local diners and cafes that serve down home cooking. We know it’s a great way to get a quick snapshot of what it’s all about where we are. Chances are good that we will make a friend of our server, eavesdrop on a conversation the locals are having at the next table, and get a feel for what’s on everyone’s mind as well as enjoy what’s on our plates.
Innovative strategies and ideas are generally the rule at these establishments, from the menu items to the ambience. When an idea is cooked up in smaller businesses such as these, it generally has a short gestation. There’s a sense of resourcefulness that is very familiar to us as entrepreneurs, and we observe with a keen eye the innovations we encounter. Cafes are generally the hub of social activity in most communities, and we appreciate the vibrancy and local color.
We want to introduce you to two such enterprises that are active and engaged. Not only are they re-forging strong bonds, but they are using unique and versatile ideas to reach beyond the doors of their establishments. We think other businesses might do well to emulate these practices, especially during recessionary times.
First up is Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore in Munising, Michigan‘s Upper Peninsula. Centered on the south shore of Lake Superior, Munising is a picturesque village with a challenging business environment: loss of population, seasonal tourism, and a declining economy already hit hard before the national recession. Perhaps not the greatest place to start a business, but, well…if you visit, you’ll want to do exactly that anyway.
Enter Nancy and Jeff Dwyer, former Florida residents who “retired” up North to live their dream on a whim and a prayer. Their vision emerged after a complete renovation and clean-up, which entailed removing tons of debris and chasing down architectural elements. When we visited last summer, Falling Rock was brewing aromatic coffee and scooping up homemade ice cream cones, in the Victorian building they restored on Munising’s main drag.
Michigan winters can put the big chill on, freezing revenues for many small businesses, and the Dwyers found they were no exception. Nancy knew the only way their dream would survive was with a cash infusion. So she asked for one. Offering annual memberships to Friends of Falling Rock at $100 each, the Dwyers returned the favor with benefits including special events and promotions.
The Dwyers consider Falling Rock members the essence of their business, and the community, going far beyond the village limits, has responded in kind. “Of our current members, approximately 60% are residents of the Munising area, 15% are dual residents (they have a home in the Munising area and elsewhere), and 25% are from out of the Munising area (representing eleven different states). From the feedback we have received, members include regular customers, regular visitors to the area for whom the Falling Rock has become a focal point for their visits, and new visitors who appreciate what the Falling Rock represents and want to support its longevity.” More importantly, Munising retained an ownership stake in one of its gathering spaces – a destination for events like wine tastings and soup bowl suppers – welcome diversions during a long, cold winter for residents used to hibernating.
Appealing to the community must have been a difficult proposition, but the outpouring of emotional and financial support was proof that a community can care and respond to ensure a business will thrive.
Don’t be yourself. Be someone a little nicer. – Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, 1966
Caring communities don’t always originate in small towns. In the heart of the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, the QKindness Cafe is developing community and leading by example. “The Q is a place to gather. People care what you have to say. Meals are prepared with you in mind and every day is a special occasion because you deserve it. Discover a community of kindness.” Alerted to the goings-on at the Q by a television clip, I had to find out more.
The premise at the Q is kindness – spreading it, giving it, paying it forward, and receiving it. Long a fixture in one of St. Paul’s older downtown buildings, the former Q Cafe was languishing. Owners Jimmy and Lisa Cotter Metwaly decided to focus on others. There is positivity everywhere, from the quotes on the wall to the kindness wheel, which you can spin to buy whatever it lands on for the next person who orders it. There are bouquets of flowers to take and share – just return the vase the next time you come in. On cold days, the cafe gives away handwarmers.
Kindness multiplied in such great amounts at the QKindness Cafe that St. Paul’s mayor was moved by example to proclaim the first week of every month Kindness Week in the city. Suddenly, Lisa’s one-woman quest to ramp up random acts of kindness became much more. Paying it forward at QKindness Cafe means that someone may have paid for your muffin weeks ago, or that you’ll spin the wheel yourself, or that you’ll carry out a pocket rock with a kindness reminder that you will pass to someone else.
Lisa and Jimmy are determined to change their community one smile at a time. Jeff and Nancy have infused a famished economy with collaborative vitality.
The benefits of reaching out and engaging with the community are reciprocal. Loyalty, connection, appreciation and keeping it real have always been what draws the customer in the front door, no matter the size of the town. Providing an experience that lives far beyond the threshold creates the connection we all crave.
We’re going about our business in different ways as we seek deeper meaning in what we do, where we spend, and the experiences we choose. We’ll continue to look for and support businesses near and far like the Falling Rock and the QKindness Cafes. We think we’ll see more businesses like these two succeed no matter where they might be. They’re more than aware of what matters, and they’re reaching out to share. We’re all in this together.
A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses. – Chinese proverb
How about you?
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Hi Betsy – WooHoo, you’re talking about the U.P. ***smiles***.
These are both such wonderful stories of how kindness, caring and a desire to help others are making these businesses successful. They may not become millionaires, but they will have something more priceless than money can buy.
Not too long ago I was talking to relatives who live in the U.P. We got on the subject of the economy and the recession. Their response was the recession really didn’t affect them all that much as that area has been depressed for many years. They have learned to live with it, and as you know, if you’re in that area, most of the people will open their doors and their hearts to those who come their way. They learned a long time ago, it’s about people and not “stuff”. I’m so proud to say that’s where I was raised.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..Celebrating NBOTW One Year Annivarsary With A Free E-Book
Hi Betsy. When I lived in northern Ontario, I LOVED spending time in local pubs and cafes. There was one in particular called The Lion’s Heart. They had a cozy upstairs area with comfy chairs. Patrons could play a lazy game of darts. My friends and I would go there and order potato skins with sour cream and bacon bits and of course, beer. That was before the gluten-free diet. Those smaller places have so much character. It’s great that you support these businesses. They deserve to succeed.
Davina´s last blog post..Shopping for Effective Attitudes
This is great stuff. It talks right to me, because you know what’s interesting – on my mind map, there’s a node that is a cafe, where people come to meet, share, and learn. The idea is for it to be the nerve centre for all that I do.
I expect to have one of my own, at some point.
Thank you for sharing these great stories.
-Brett
Brett Legree´s last blog post..viking fridays – turn the spell.
It’s nice to know that the old concept of coffeehouse is being revived, even if the name isn’t. They sound great! I wonder if the Alaskan one is frequented by the author Dana Stabenow, a favorite of mine. She is, not the place. I wish I could find a place like that around here and easily reachable.
Dot´s last blog post..About Your Business
Hi Barbara – Yes, I promised myself I would explain what Nancy Dwyer did and how unique it seemed when we heard the story last summer. And I know what you mean by the recession not seeming like a big deal in certain areas. I was at the gift Mart earlier this week and my vendor said the same thing – Iowa and South Dakota don’t think it’s a big deal. Perspective! Thank you.
Hi Davina – It’s fun to remember the places we hung out in and why we did. It was the atmosphere that made us feel at home. Capturing that magic doesn’t have to be difficult for businesses, and reaching out isn’t either, no matter your location.
Hi Brett – You’re on to how strong the sense of community can be when you build one, and you’re right, every community needs a hub. Thanks.
Hi Dot – We wrote about the Fireweed Roadhouse last summer in our Alaska series. We were so impressed with the owner and her proactive ways, but I’m not sure where Dana hangs out. 🙂 I think anyone opening a business like these would do well. People really want a sense of belonging, as you mention. Thank you.
These are such inspiring examples of small business owners who are resourceful, contentious and kind. With a global recession and a lot of fear, these stories provide inspiration and hope.
Sweet it is…lovely post and so nice to hear about kindness winning! We have so many coffee shops around town but they are full of the young and others are so slick… We all hang out at a Mexican Restaurant and we don’t have to have an invitation just always there are a group of folks we wish to visit with and sharing time hanging around.
I like the idea of the subscription members! and the give a ways…good ideas of community spirit.
My parents grew up in Ontario and Saskatchewan and trained us to be fairly recession proof. Now we live close to computer slickness and it is hard to be immune – we just are
Nice walk down memory lane with creativity, community and imagination tucked inside. Thank you
Patricia´s last blog post..Mug vs. Heart
Hi Vered – Thank you! I’ve heard in more than one place that the most innovation comes out of recessionary times – whether it’s new businesses or new ways. I think these two are on to something, and I hope the word gets out and other businesses follow suit (or if they’re already doing great things, we get the word out on them).
Hi Patricia – I’ve heard Barbara’s observation about being unaffected by recession because they’re ‘used to it’ in more than one place. Smaller communities often have to be resourceful. I recently heard of another coffee shop using twitter to receive to go orders. I think we’ll see lots of innovation like these examples. Thank you.
I too have heard friends and family “back home” (scattered amongst small towns in Central and Northern Indiana) comment on how this horrible “recession” doesn’t look any different than the “boom” times for them.
Business survival in a small town – especially in the “rust belt” has always required a high level of creativity combined with a killer work ethic and a complete obsession with customer service (as illustrated beautifully in this post).
When I moved east and south – I was horrified at how businesses down here treated their customers. At first I reasoned that the horrible service was probably due to the high tourist traffic – however,as I ruminated on the state of affairs – I decided that the large population base (250K) insulated these businesses from the consequences of their poor customer service actions.
(I spent the first year down here storming out of restaurants and swearing to never eat there again. After a year, I had to make a decision – I’d either better lower my standards or learn to cook!)
Then came the meltdown and I’m actually HAPPIER down here now that “times are tough”. The level of service in businesses that have managed to survive has improved 1000%. Suddenly – customer service isn’t defined as “resisting the urge to spit in the customers face before you take their money”.
It’s about time – I really didn’t want to have to plug in my oven! (I hear they’re REAL energy hogs. :))
Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog post..First Impressions and the Placebo Effect
$100 apiece can sure make a difference.
Their business vneture reminds me of the song that was last week (and still may be,) on Christine Kane’s blog as a free dwonload. “Right Outta Nowhere.” In her triple-pack, free. Have you heard that song? Very nice song, and inspiring.
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..3 & 1/2 days
Hi Kathy – I noticed that about service in your neck of the woods, too, years ago. I chalked it up to relativity in terms of slowness between regions. But then, when I lived in California, I noticed similar attitudes as well. So, changes in ethics could be the recession’s silver lining. Thanks.
Hi Jannie – Where would I find this charming ditty? I’m beginning to think I ought to follow you around to the places where you hang out. I’m not a stalker, I swear, just find what you mention so fascinating. Thank you.
I would love to visit the QKindness – that really sounds like my kind of place.
I try to frequent the small businesses in my neighborhood rather than the larger chains. We have a wonderful small market that makes the best tofu hoagies and will order requested items. They will also front you the items if you are short on cash. More than once I’ve walked in there without much money and their ATM has been down and they’ve said just bring the money later. This is the way to treat a regular customer and it would never ever happen in a large chain.
Kim Woodbridge´s last blog post..February Special: 15% off All Services (I Love My Clients)
Hi Kim – And I’ll bet you feel like a million bucks when you’re treated like a valued regular. I know Pete and I do. We like smaller businesses for the same reason. We all want to feel like we matter. Thanks.