Nick writes:
Frequently Axed Questions regarding the impending 'murkification' of Common Grounds
Q) Are you gonna turn CG into a Starbucks?
A) Puleeze!
Q) Are you gonna change the name? Why?
A) Yes... it will be 'murky coffee,' and yes, with the pretentious e.e.cummings-lowercase thing goin.
The problem, if you can call it a problem, with 'Common Grounds' for a name is that there are dozens of coffeeshops around the country called 'Common Grounds.' Not a huge deal, but considering we are involved in a lot of coffee-community related stuff around the country, a more unique name seems better.
Q) Will you have live music?
A) Most definitely. There are some great venues for music around the neighborhood, but I think we can provide a unique sort of space for live music... don't you?
Q) Will you change the facility at all?
A) Well, bathrooms that are working more than 50% of the time would be nice, no?
We're planning for some moderate renovations to happen in a couple of months (floors, furniture, fixtures, etc.), but not right away.
Q) Is your coffee really that great?
A) That's a personal preference thing for sure, so I can't promise too much. Just try it, and see if you like it. Many people consider us to have the best coffee in the DC area.
Q) What about tea?
A) Actually, this is an example of how customer feedback CAN make a difference. We don't serve loose-leaf tea at our Capitol Hill shop, but due to customer begging and pleading, we rethought our initial plans to eliminate loose-leaf tea (in favor of high-quality whole-leaf tea bags). We're happy to report that we are planning to continue (and hopefully improve) the tea selection and service.
Q) What about the great sandwiches?
A) I enjoy the sandwiches at Common Grounds as well... they ARE great! However, we're going to streamline the overall product offerings and focus on our core business. If you want to have a sandwich, I hope you have a GREAT sandwich from a great sandwich place. Know that you can come to us for great coffee.
Q) Are you gonna keep the (insert your favorite drink/food/item here) ?
A) Again, we will be streamlining our product offering, which means that many of the menu items that you may have come to enjoy might be dropped. I hope and trust that there will be something else that we offer that will more than make up for the missing item.
Q) Are you going to keep the Wi-Fi?
A) washingtonpost.com/..articles/..2003Apr18.html (hopefully that will answer your question)
Any other questions? e-mail them to us at the address provided!
Q) Are you gonna turn CG into a Starbucks?
A) Puleeze!
Q) Are you gonna change the name? Why?
A) Yes... it will be 'murky coffee,' and yes, with the pretentious e.e.cummings-lowercase thing goin.
The problem, if you can call it a problem, with 'Common Grounds' for a name is that there are dozens of coffeeshops around the country called 'Common Grounds.' Not a huge deal, but considering we are involved in a lot of coffee-community related stuff around the country, a more unique name seems better.
Q) Will you have live music?
A) Most definitely. There are some great venues for music around the neighborhood, but I think we can provide a unique sort of space for live music... don't you?
Q) Will you change the facility at all?
A) Well, bathrooms that are working more than 50% of the time would be nice, no?
We're planning for some moderate renovations to happen in a couple of months (floors, furniture, fixtures, etc.), but not right away.
Q) Is your coffee really that great?
A) That's a personal preference thing for sure, so I can't promise too much. Just try it, and see if you like it. Many people consider us to have the best coffee in the DC area.
Q) What about tea?
A) Actually, this is an example of how customer feedback CAN make a difference. We don't serve loose-leaf tea at our Capitol Hill shop, but due to customer begging and pleading, we rethought our initial plans to eliminate loose-leaf tea (in favor of high-quality whole-leaf tea bags). We're happy to report that we are planning to continue (and hopefully improve) the tea selection and service.
Q) What about the great sandwiches?
A) I enjoy the sandwiches at Common Grounds as well... they ARE great! However, we're going to streamline the overall product offerings and focus on our core business. If you want to have a sandwich, I hope you have a GREAT sandwich from a great sandwich place. Know that you can come to us for great coffee.
Q) Are you gonna keep the (insert your favorite drink/food/item here) ?
A) Again, we will be streamlining our product offering, which means that many of the menu items that you may have come to enjoy might be dropped. I hope and trust that there will be something else that we offer that will more than make up for the missing item.
Q) Are you going to keep the Wi-Fi?
A) washingtonpost.com/..articles/..2003Apr18.html (hopefully that will answer your question)
Any other questions? e-mail them to us at the address provided!
15 Comments:
You really can't open your mouth without coming off like a prick can you? Begging and pleading indeed. God forbid you listen to your customers.
Remind me to kiss your pinky-ring next time you show up at CG.
That's right. I said prick.
That's right, I said that's right, I said prick.
Hey cry-baby--Get a life. Murky has the best damn coffee in town. You should be kissing his feet for this--not just his pinky ring. Get off your hissy-fit-of-a-soap-box and pay attention. Common Grounds is going the way of the buffalo, and no ammount of your belly-aching can stop it from happening. To be a leader in the Esspresso world, you can't pander, bend-over and drop your pants at every annoying person's uninformed opinion. Nick is a master barrista, and if you let him, he can guide you out of the darkness and into the marvelous light.
Alright children, let's calm down.
I'm a "master barista prick." Okay?
The way of the buffalo?
You mean slaughtered by people who don't appreciate it? So far it looks like you're right.
That's right, I said buffalo.
Well, I for one am thrilled that you'll be keeping the loose tea. Getting a small pot of Darjeeling and chatting with my friends for hours was the best part of Common Grounds. So thanks for listening to your customer. Just one request - keep the small pots and we'll be golden.
Oh, and I thought that your tone was pleasantly snarky while still maintaining sincerity. So thanks.
i don't know who this 'hater' is, but you're hurting your cause and looking more stupid for ranting. murky is trying to help a failing business for God's sake. come back later when you have something that can be discussed.
Thanks for those comments Sam. And since I doubt you've ever been to CG I'll take them for what their worth - not a whole lot.
yes, i have actually. cg is not far from where i live. and i'm seeing that discussing this further on this site is not useful.
I, for one, am ecstatic about the impending 'murkification.' Anything to get rid of the horrible service from CG staff (okay, there are exceptions... but too few). Will any CG staff roll-over with the new mgmt? If so, I hope a huge attitude change will come with the other changes.
RIP CG, welcome murky...
Hi Nick. Speaking about the sandwiches...I know it's important for companies to stick to "core strengths" and all. But at the same time, I'd like to ponder a few points.
1) Do you think it's a good idea for MC to really treat this joint like a cookie cutter of the other murky coffee location, and _not_ serve GREAT sandwiches? Maybe cookie cutter is a little harsh, but you know what I mean.
2) Does it really make sense to go one place for a cup of GREAT coffee, and _another_ place for a GREAT bite to eat, when really, you kind of want to enjoy your whole _dining experience_ as a single event? Now you either have a cold sandwich, or a cold cup of coffee. And it burned 20 minutes driving, parking, and waiting in _two_ lines. Besides, aren't they complementary goods? Who's going to do that? And if a dining experience is what you're interested in giving your money for, which product (the coffee or the sandwich) is going to lose out if you were forced to make a decision?
2) Since this location has significantly less foot traffic compared to MC, it attracts significantly less coffee-only type customers, where convenience plays a huge factor. You've already got a Starbucks to the east of you by a quarter mile, offering pure-coffee play, and cheesy pastries (Your pastries are cooler by far, but hey...a pastry is a pastry to some).
3) I hazzard to guess that a large portion of the GREAT sandwich customers actually turn over much faster than coffee drinkers, who happen to enjoy loitering around talking to each other (primarily George Mason faculty and students, during lunch), thus not only giving you a larger share of wallet, but also clearing out faster for the next customer to ante up her wallet. Compare that to, say, the wireless users that buy a $2 coffee and sit at tables for hours on end.
4) The equipment to make GREAT sandwiches are already there. Which means part of what makes up your core competencies is already part of your assets. I guess the other parts are learning the skill, and sourcing/managing the supply chain. And I guess part of it is to put together a list of soups/sandwiches that you _know_ you guys can do GREAT. Do you think that's do-able?
5) PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP OFFERING THE GREAT SOUPS AND SANDWICHES!! I SINCERELY WANT TO GIVE YOU MY MONEY, but I'm afraid most of it will go to Cosi, which is GREAT on sandwiches, and passible on coffee, but offers a drink bar to boot for the evenings.
I agree with the poster above. Getting around Arlington is hell these days, with all of the traffic, and if and when I find a parking space, I'm not giving it up. Likewise, I am not going to be willing to split my coffee and sandwich needs - I'll battle it out for parking near a sandwich-friendly place. PLEASE KEEP THE SANDWICHES!!!
Sam, to answer your question, many of the current employees will be kept on for the time being it seems. So you can look forward to that continuing bad service and perhaps now a nice loogie in your latte since you and Nick both seem to have the nicest way of offending folks without cause...
Hi Nick, your prior "clarification" on CG is much appreciated. The FAQ is also helpful, and despite all the potential for anonymous rants, I'm glad you are allowing in the comments now, as its good community building.
I'd keep buying sandwiches if they are offered. But its not too far to walk and get something to eat elsewhere either, only I'll be less likely to go and come back after lunch.
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