A Cafe Owner's Experience with Conversation Cafés
by Kat Gjovik

In Pegasus Coffee House, on the first floor of a small two-story ivy-covered historical brick building a short block from the marina on Bainbridge Island, Hazel Van Evera and her staff have created a cozy and intimate setting, and everyone gets a warm reception when they walk through the door. Pegasus is home for a number of groups who have met regularly for years in early morning, lunch or afternoon klatches, and serves an eclectic and loyal group of local patrons. They serve espresso and coffee drinks (shade grown, organic and fairly traded); an impressive variety of aromatic teas; heavenly baked goods and desserts; and unbelievable soups, sandwiches, salads and specials for lunch.

When someone first mentioned the idea of a Conversation Café late in 2001, Pegasus Coffee House owner Hazel Van Evera was intrigued. When the second person contacted her with the same idea, her interest deepened and motivation grew. When the third person approached her, she knew it was meant to be. From the beginning, the partnership with Hazel has been the key to the success of the Thursday night Conversation Café.

Hazel arranged for Pegasus to stay open until 8:30p.m. (normal closing time is 6:00p.m.), and scheduled a barista to work. (It's usually Allana Pritchard, who brings the refreshing perspective of her teen years and the wisdom of an old soul to our conversations when she is not working.) Hazel and Kitchen Goddess Genevieve Persac cooked up an idea for Thursday night Blue Plate Specials to offer Café goers - hearty, delicious and enjoyed by many who arrive early to eat dinner together (or sneak bites while listening to others after conversation has started). As 7:00 approaches, we pull the tables together and Hazel brings out the votive candles.

Some people are regulars on Thursday nights; others drop in. Some nights there are six; other nights there are 15 or 20. People who stop in during the day can see the topic for the week on the announcement Hazel posts on the wall between the newspaper rack and the fireplace or on the 3x5 cards at the cash register. (Some people come for the specific topic; others come regardless of the subject.)

The Conversation Café at Pegasus is an extension of Hazel's strong commitment to community and to making connections and her insightful perspectives on being a small business owner. Through her experience in non-profit organizations, community service and activism, she is grounded in her commitment to leave the world in a better way, conduct business and live life ethically, and volunteer her time and energy. "Success will follow," she believes.

"Small business owners tend to be people with dreams," Hazel explained. "They are risk-takers, gutsy and fiercely independent. At the same time, they are often over-worked and it's hard to find the time to take on something new. If something new came along that was easy to be involved with, provided some structure without a lot of rules and there was someone to work with…that would be appealing."

"It's a natural," replied Hazel, when asked why Conversation and Cafés, and Pegasus in particular, are a good match. "People come to talk, to watch, to listen. And it's easy - 'It' comes to you!" She said, in addition, "You connect with a facilitator who attends to the conversation, and, as an added benefit, you form a new partnership with someone in the community and make a new friend."

Hazel added, "It's a good way to sell coffee and food - sharing food, breaking bread together…that's community. It's also been a good way to try new things - different hours, new menu items - an experiment. The Conversation Café also appeals to and welcomes people from all walks of life; it invites and inspires diversity of thought and opinion. It is simply good for my business and good for my soul…and good for the planet."

"The benefits of having a Conversation Café for Pegasus?" Hazel responded without hesitation: "It helps draw in more business; people who come in…and the business…are energized and people will return for more of the same experience. The customers and the staff 'own' the Conversation Café - there's an amazing proprietorship. I'm also noticing people returning at other times, for other things, like our art exhibits. Oh, and I participate in the conversation when I can."

"Success will follow," she said. And it has.

Basics for an establishment to hold a Conversation Café:
· Be open
· Be staffed
· Tolerate tables being moved and the uncertainty of the number of participants
· Post signs provided by host/facilitator
· Inform staff so they can field questions from customers
· Know the host/facilitator and be aware of the structure and process

Options:
· Advertise - pass out flyers, point of purchase cards, post announcements
· Offer special menu item(s), promote other menu specials
· Offer a special drink
· Make a special assignment to staff, support staff interest and involvement
· Help create the ambiance
· Build a partnership with the host/facilitator
· Use the Café to experiment with hours, menu, staffing, etc.
· Be visible and interact with participants
· Join in the conversation

Send us your Café owner's story:
· How did you hear about Conversation Cafés?
· What appealed to or intrigued you?
· Describe the scenario.
· What value is it to you, your staff, your customers, your business?
Send it to [email protected]