DAVIDsTEA: LOOSE-LEAF TEA ENTERPRISE

17 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003 (Flatiron) • 212.253.7676

DAVIDsTEA

DAVIDsTEA

Their Success… A new direction to branding tea time. If you are looking for an “Organic Gold Rush” with your “Birthday Cake” topped off by a “Jolly Jellybean”, then you might consider this place to be “Paradise found”. These are the names of flavors you’ll find created by pairing loose-leaf teas with ingredients from around the world at this tea shop. David Segal, founder of DavidsTea, saw the need for a non-serious approach to drinking tea that’s now filling a void overlooked by traditional tea shops. The first location, which opened in Montreal, Canada, was the starting point for the tea empire’s success. The brand’s consistent messaging about making tea fun is careful crafted at every touch point– from the staffing and overall guest experience to brand concept and packaging. Tea time is usually relaxing to most but DavidsTea has pushed tea into a new gamut with a trendy, clean yet clever appeal. Tea time is now fun time.

What We Learned… Sometimes the key to a successful brand is what inspires us in a non-traditional way. David Segal based his brand off an idea that “tea should be more fun”.

Take Aways… What’s your inspiration? How can you use what inspires you in your
branded product?

DIG INN SEASONAL MARKET: FAST CASUAL MADE-TO-ORDER ENTERPRISE

17 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003 (Flatiron) • 212.253.7676

Dig Inn Seasonal Market

Dig Inn Seasonal Market

Their Success… “Making it easier for people to eat well”. Their mission statement to food and healthy living can also be translated into the systematic marketing and operations that flows through the Dig Inn space. The display board at the entrance shows how meals are organized for a first time guest– by Choice of Proteins, Grains or Greens, and Fresh Sides. Meals can be ordered as a small plate, a big plate, or a picnic pint. This upfront information makes it a little easier for the curious heart to know what’s in store. The juicing that is prepped and bottled at the juice bar with a buffet of food at the Marketplace adds to their success by providing guests with a feeling of transparency. In addition to the keen operations and clean signage, the subtle marketing messages adds a soft-upsell approach and compliments the quick line service for ordering. Dig Inn Seasonal Market is making easy a bit easier all around.

What We Learned… It’s all about the “in-your-face” approach. Keeping your operations simple, easy and transparent can mark the grounds for success of a dynamic food business.

Take Aways… How are you making it easy for your guests to know who you are? What are ways you can make your operation more simplified and transparent?

Congratulations to Macaron Parlour, The Recipient of Our Free Gift

Macaron Parlour

Macaron Parlour

We would like to thank all of our participants for sharing their enterprise stories with us. We had a chance to read so many amazing stories from many entrepreneurs and expanding businesses. We look forward to hearing about your continued success.

MACARON PARLOUR: A PASTRY SINGLE PRODUCT ENTERPRISE
Macaron Parlour was founded in 2010 by Christina Ha and Simon Tung. Macaron Parlour aims to expand their offerings beyond traditional fillings– offering fun flavors like candied bacon with maple cream cheese frosting, s’mores, and red velvet. Macaron Parlor is soon to open a retail
store this summer.

Get to know more about Macaron Parlour

JOEDOUGH: SANDWICH MADE-TO-ORDER ENTERPRISE

135 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003 (Flatiron) • 212.780.9222

JoeDough

JoeDough

Their Success… An innovative touch to vintage sandwich classics. In November 2011, Joe Dobias and his girlfriend Jill Schulster opened up JoeDough in the East Village. Although, they have only been in operation for roughly 4 months, anyone that visits there will quickly fall in love with the smell of fresh bread that await you. The wooden materials, counter seating area with nostalgic photos on the walls and open kitchen draws you in for the “home away from home” appeal. The Sandwiches, such as Stoner’s Delight (A wonderful upgrade to the traditional grilled cheese), reinforces the feel of the space with quality ingredients while being reminiscent of homemade memories that everyone will enjoy.

What We Learned… Make a product fun, enjoyable to eat and bring a sense of nostalgia with you. This quick formula right away increases the like-ability factor of your concept and a sure way for repeat business.

Take Aways… Take a simple concept like sandwiches and sprinkle them with your own authenticity.

CHOP’T: SALAD MADE-TO-ORDER ENTERPRISE

24 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003 (Flatiron) • 646.336.5527

Chop't Creative Salad LLC

Chop't Creative Salad LLC

Their Success… Rethinking the traditional salad. The perception of a salad is usually associated with thoughts like healthy, light, good for you but not so tasty. Chop’t first opened its doors at the location we visited in Union Square on January 5th, 2001. Since then, with various locations in New York and Washington D.C., the company has successfully altered the salad of today and tomorrow. “Choppers” chop up the custom made-to-order and suggested seasonal favorite salads as the guest walks through the operation. By combining the “Better is better” philosophy and dedication to the overall guest experience, Chop’t is more than just a fast casual enterprise that makes salads– they are also a lifestyle to be lived.

What We Learned… Embracing the guest experience and product creativity can make any product even more enticing than originally thought.

Take Aways… Create an opportunity to be more creative with your product. Invite guests to join your enterprise into the wonder of the production “entertainment” of your products. What is the preparation process? How can the process engage the guest?

HAMPTON CHUTNEY: A SANDWICH MADE-TO-ORDER ENTERPRISE
68 Prince Street, New York, NY 10010 (Soho) • 212.228.9996

Hampton Chutney Soho

Hampton Chutney Soho

Their Success… Bringing an ethnic delight to American culture. Hampton Chutney, a family-owned enterprise that opened in 1997 upstate, serves up a traditional Indian delight called dosas in an innovative way. [Read more…]

https://paigepapers.com/2011/12/27/hamptonshutneyretailspotlight/

PRET A MANGER: A PREPARED FOOD ENTERPRISE
24 W 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010 (Flatiron) • 646.885.6330

Pret A Manger

Pret A Manger: Made Today; Gone Today

Their Success… A unique approach to being natural and fresh. The white space, clear glass and metal-like signage with a hint of red compliments the constant smell of freshly prepared soups, baguettes and sandwiches rolled out throughout the day. [Read more…]

https://paigepapers.com/2011/11/30/pretamangerretailspotlight/

BIEN CUIT: A BREAD BAKERY ENTERPRISE
120 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Carroll Gardens) • 718.852.0200

Bien Cuit Bread Bakery

Bien Cuit Bread Bakery

Their Success… Traditional French Bread-Making. Factoring in the rustic brick walls and wooden fixtures that surrounds the interior, Bien Cuit, cleverly named after the French term for something that is prepared well-done, shines a new light to the viennoiserie and breads.
[Read more…]

https://paigepapers.com/2011/10/24/retailspotlight_bientcuit/

MAGNOLIA BAKERY: A CUPCAKE BAKERY ENTERPRISE
200 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023 (Upper West Side) • 212.724.8101

Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery

Their Success… More than just a Mom-friendly cupcake shop, Magnolia Bakery is a complete bakery with pies, brownies, bars and much more. There is something to that child-like feeling everyone gets when entering one of their stores as you are taken away by the theater and smell of fresh prepared and baked goodness. [Read more…]

https://paigepapers.com/2011/09/27/magnoliaretailspotlight/

Market Tour: La Delice Pastry Shop

372 3rd Ave. (corner of 27th St), New York, NY 10016 • 212.532.4409

La Delice Pastry Shop

La Delice Pastry Shop

Their success… A boutique community pastry shop.

What you can find here… The operation, which has been in business since 1935, is known for their vast selection of cakes and cookies. Upon, walking into the store you are surrounded by German Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortcake, just to name a few, as well as other baked goods.

https://paigepapers.com/2011/09/14/markettour9142011/