I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to start a espresso machine and grinder business. I have the opportunity to occupy a small space in an Italian import shop and was wondering how to go about selling maybe a few choice machines and grinders and some odds and ends. What I am most curious about is how to acquire the machines from the companies. I have never owned a business before so any help that you guys can supply would be greatly appreciated. I just want to start a small shop because where I live there really is no one in the area where you can go and look at the equipment and try before you buy.

You are looking at a very tough business. Your competition will be:

1. For lower end semi-automatics and for consumer super-automatics: all the major chain and big box stores, all of whom also have an on-line presence.

2. For higher-end consumer machines: the well-established on-line retailers, who also bench test their machines before delivery and provide expert post-sale advice.

3. For commercial machines: wholesale roasters who loan free machines to their customers; full service vendors who have a staff of service technicians; and the on-line retailers.

Add to that you are selling what is basically expensive kitchen equipment in an economically depressed region. I wouldn't encourage you.

Sourcing espresso gear is easy, just look up "Host Milano" (and there's a heap of other Italian stuff on show as well); this is a Host year. Does require a trip to Milan in October. Selling is pretty simple too, a website and a keen price, a bit of carefully concealed spam on internet forums and there you go.

Service and backup in the long run? Aye, there's the rub.


Alan

Yeah traveling to italy would be nice right now but it's not in the budget. That seems a little more that what I wanted to do. I live in a very large area with no espresso shop or high-end retailer and can't help but think I could do alright by having a few machines and grinders to choose from and some of the more popular items that go along with repair and modding such as burrs, hoppers, and tampers. I am just sorta looking to get my feet wet since I believe that alot of people in my area would like to by their stuff from a local shop and skip the shipping costs. I am not looking to be chris coffee I just sorta wanna carve a small niche out for myself in an area that I think would benefit from it.

Ah, but that trip to Milano would be a business expense!

Yes that it would but coming up with that much cash at this point is not a possibility.

Bluegrod wrote:What I am most curious about is how to acquire the machines from the companies.

Some vendors welcome distributorships (e.g., 1st-line's Interested in wholesale? or Chris' Coffee Service distributor inquiries welcome). They typically offer options like direct drop-ship for small start-up companies to eliminate inventory costs.

Bluegrod wrote:I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to start a espresso machine and grinder business. I have the opportunity to occupy a small space in an Italian import shop and was wondering how to go about selling maybe a few choice machines and grinders and some odds and ends. What I am most curious about is how to acquire the machines from the companies. I have never owned a business before so any help that you guys can supply would be greatly appreciated. I just want to start a small shop because where I live there really is no one in the area where you can go and look at the equipment and try before you buy.

1. If you've never owned a business before, let me ASSURE you that you need more investment capital than you think, more working capital than you think, and you will make less money than you think.
2. You are in a bad location: Albany (where Chris' Coffee is located) is only a few hours away; Manalapan (where 1st-Line is based) is a little farther, but certainly drivable. And of course, you are very close to Rochester (the home of WLL).
3. Why import? Why not just distribute?
4. There is (virtually) no place anywhere where you can "try before you buy" a wide variety of machines -- certainly not like walking into the showroom at (e.g.) Chris' Coffee Service.
5. Marshall is quite right: the economy sucks right now, and even in good times, most new small businesses fail.

There is more, but I don't want to seem too pessimistic . . .

You're not being pessimistic, you're giving your opinion. As far as the places you listed go Chris coffee is over 4 hours away and why not have something close to home that they can go to and as far as WLL they don't allow you to go to a showroom and see the goods in person. I was thinking of maybe just having a machine or two up and running and maybe a grinder or two so people can have an idea how big these are or see them in action in person. I understand what your saying but I thought a small area devoted to this would do okay. Can you honestly say you would pay extra for parts when you could drive 20 minutes and pick them up for yourself.

Bluegrod wrote:Can you honestly say you would pay extra for parts when you could drive 20 minutes and pick them up for yourself.

Customers have to know what part they need before they buy it, which usually requires expert advice. Will they go to your shop for that advice or go to an online vendor? Be prepared to do a lot of marketing and promotion, so they know where to find you and what you offer.