Would you go to and earth friendly cafe?

I'm thinking of opening a cafe centered around sustainable, chemical and hormone free foods. Vegetarian, vegan, etc.
I do have experience, I 'm just wondering if my dream is really worth the investment..
Any ideas?

Wow!
Thanks for all the response! I actually am already a chef, who works 17 hour days 6 days a week, so this would actually be a Reduction in hours!!
It's really great to see so many people aware and willing to change their habits. I am in Vermont, already a key crowd to target with healthy alternatives, and a great area to utilize locally produced foods!

Yes, I would, assuming that it isn't extremely overpriced... there's a vegan cafe near where I live but I don't go often (sometimes I grab a sandwich or smoothie when I'm out with friends). It's just way too expensive because they use all-organic stuff and it's hard for them to maintain a profit because of low demand and there's cheap stuff like Wendy's and McDonalds right next door (ugh!).

Yes, I would definitely go! Too bad I'm not anywhere near VT. Why aren't there more people like you in my area? lol

I definitely would as I believe my vote of dollars is more powerful than my electoral one.

As for it making money it depends on a lot of things. First off are you in an area where there are a lot of vegetarians, vegans and environmentalists. If you are, are there other competing businesses which might over compete with your customers.

If you do believe you are in the right general locale and are not over competing then I would say provide good quality products and consistent service. Watch like a hawk for waste and employee theft as I have one friend who had to sell his vegetarian restaurant and still owes the IRS an arm, a leg ,and his first born child because he was not mindful of these factors. On the bright side Roots still exists and is probably making enough to make a profit.

Lastly think long and hard about one of the three rules of retail oriented business, location, location, location.

Absolutely. I would love to go to an earth-friendly cafe if I found one in a city I was visiting.

There's a vegetarian (mostly vegan) ecocafe in downtown DC that draws in the business crowd during the day. Most of them are not vegetarian, but the food is good, if a little expensive, and it's an excellent location. It's also different from most downtown restaurants, which may also be a draw.

So: location--Find a place that gets a lot of foot traffic, such as a downtown office area. Food--feed them good food that's slightly different from what they're used to, but not too radical. Ambience: A pleasant interior makes people want to eat there and want to return.

Sounds great, if you live in area that will support such a thing!

If you manage to get certified "Green" it would give you a boost!

Great idea. I can tell you by experience that if you put it in a central location with easy freeway access you will get business from all over.

Also, do not buy a restaurant and assume a lease. Wait for a restaurant that has gone out of business. Take over that space and negotiate a new lease. Watch out for clauses in the lease about number of days and hours you must be open.

Also, you need at least $250,000 to start and really do it right. Add a retail space for hard to find vegan and eco friendly items and you will have a revenue source that doesn't spoil.

Lastly, be prepared to work 15 hour days, 6 days a week with paper work on your day off.

Good luck!

The flying biscuit and Moosewood are two famous restaurants that revolve around similar ideals......check them out and like another poster said....location, location,location.

i would and i do and i always keep my eye out for new ones so that i can go to them aswell. Some do well others dont, I have known some to stay very busy and others to struggle mightily.

I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch, but I would go to such a place, especially on vacation, because we have to eat out, anyway, just for the novelty of it, and the philosophy. I'm pretty sure we have done, a few times. Yes, you should be able to make a go of it. Specialty restaurants have niche clientele, generally people who have little choice of where to eat.

I know vegetarians who would be happy about having another choice of restaurant to eat at. And vegans must go crazy!

Honestly, it would not be my first choice because of the no meat menu but I would not mind trying it out or would not decline if invited to a meal there.
But make exceptionally good fruit with rum cocktails and I'm a regular.

yes, start off small, and believe me, I would support you. I use my money to support my beliefs.

To save money, use more beans and grains recipes, so you can use those foods more and they do not spoil.

As you get bigger, open another rest. and continue. if you need help with marketing or web business analyst skills let me know.

good luck.

I absolutely would! Especially if I knew that the carry out containers were environmentally friendly, napkins were made of recycled material, etc.
Those would be just added bonuses to great cruelty-free food!
Good luck to you.

why not? i support independent companies

do your research and be the best you can be!

I personally would LOVE to patronize such a place. Your issue may be enough customers and that can be boosted by restaurant location. Try to be located were young, up-and-coming professionals are located for work or where they shop.

An eclectic mix of people are usually seen around a Barnes and Noble bookshop, a university campus or downtown in a sizeable town.

Advertising is everything nowadays and they gotta know where to park and how to get there and a photo of the storefront always helps.

Your dream is a fabulous idea but will be a washout unless you put in considerable, detailed planning into marketing it.

"A dream without a plan is just a wish."

I love the idea, but I think you need to make sure you open it in the right place. especially as organic and fair trade foods are usually expensive which would push up your costs. I think the idea is great! I would definatley eat at your cafe, I always try to buy fair trade and organic, free range but I know a lot of people dont care and wouldnt pay the price. I think in the right place it could be a success.

Good luck